TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER OCTOBER 17, 1917 P. 1
Med. Dept. 3rd. Ark. Inf.,
Fort Logan H. Roots,
Little Rock, Ark.,
Sept. 27, 1917, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Nix,
Waldo, Ark.
Dear Parents:
This is getting to be a pretty cold place. From the coolness of the air “Jack Frost” will soon be biting my ears. Any way I like it here, I think, as well as I could like any training camp. It is very healthy here. Wish I could stay here all the time I am in training.
We have orders to leave tomorrow for Alexandria, Louisiana. Suppose we will leave late in the afternoon and arrive at Alexandria about 4 o’clock on the following morning.
I had a letter from Talmage today. He is very much grieved at having to go. I am going to write to him often and try to cheer him up. Says he has an application to Headquarters for a transfer to the Coast Artillery. This is the highest branch of the Military service. He also says his officers are very nice to him. He is now acting as corporal, which puts him in line for advancement. I got off last Sunday afternoon to go to see him but failed to get transportation. I regret it very much for I would be more than glad to see him before I go to Alexandria.
I went down town last night. Saw Byrd. He is getting along fine. Much better than while at home.
We got our first pay day today.
After so long a time I have changed for the better living. I am a different boy from what you used to know. I am not a flippy fellow in the business either. Really, I am in earnest, and I did my own thinking and deciding. There is but one thing for a fellow to do and that is, just be a man - that’s all.
I have a very different view from this war business now. I have decided that if I come back, I will come back with honor. If I don’t come back, I will have given my life in protecting my people and my Country, and the betterment of humanity. And the last I will die knowing that my soul is as safe as the Rock of Ages in Eternity.
There is one great big regret, that is, I have not done good in my work. I have not shown to you and the world that I always meant to be a man, even though I have been bad, my ideals are, perhaps, staked to high, but I cannot lower them for one inch. When this National trouble is settled, I will prove that my words are not idle trash.
I know you would much rather I would die on the battlefield defending you and my country, when my Eternity is safe, than to live a thousand years as I have always been. I do not say what I have said just merely to have something to say, but I feel like it will be some help to you in this trial. I know that you are worrying about me is why I say this. I do not want you to grieve over me one minute. I know you can’t help but feel uneasy but you should not. I have many, many chances to never be scratched. Why, it is likely that I will never leave the United States. This war cannot last always. I most certainly believe that I will come out safely.
It is uncertain when I will get to come home, but I suppose sometime before Christmas. I know I will get to see you before I go to France.
In closing, I beg of you to be cheerful in this matter. Consider it thoroughly. Don’t worry over me for I am coming back, and then you will be proud of, and appreciate me as a real son. Be cheerful as I am. Why I am the most enthusiastic fellow you ever saw. If it is my duty to get the Kaiser, I am the man for the job.
Take care of yourselves and have the Kids to write to me for you often. I will not neglect to write as often as I can. I have many things to do, and don’t have much time for my correspondence, but you are always first.
With much love and good wishes, I am affectionately your son,
Spurgeon Nix.
NOTES: Spurgeon Nix was from Waldo, Columbia County, Arkansas. He was born on October 26, 1893 and died in April 1972 at Washington, D. C.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Med. Dept. 3rd. Ark. Inf.,
Fort Logan H. Roots,
Little Rock, Ark.,
Sept. 27, 1917, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Nix,
Waldo, Ark.
Dear Parents:
This is getting to be a pretty cold place. From the coolness of the air “Jack Frost” will soon be biting my ears. Any way I like it here, I think, as well as I could like any training camp. It is very healthy here. Wish I could stay here all the time I am in training.
We have orders to leave tomorrow for Alexandria, Louisiana. Suppose we will leave late in the afternoon and arrive at Alexandria about 4 o’clock on the following morning.
I had a letter from Talmage today. He is very much grieved at having to go. I am going to write to him often and try to cheer him up. Says he has an application to Headquarters for a transfer to the Coast Artillery. This is the highest branch of the Military service. He also says his officers are very nice to him. He is now acting as corporal, which puts him in line for advancement. I got off last Sunday afternoon to go to see him but failed to get transportation. I regret it very much for I would be more than glad to see him before I go to Alexandria.
I went down town last night. Saw Byrd. He is getting along fine. Much better than while at home.
We got our first pay day today.
After so long a time I have changed for the better living. I am a different boy from what you used to know. I am not a flippy fellow in the business either. Really, I am in earnest, and I did my own thinking and deciding. There is but one thing for a fellow to do and that is, just be a man - that’s all.
I have a very different view from this war business now. I have decided that if I come back, I will come back with honor. If I don’t come back, I will have given my life in protecting my people and my Country, and the betterment of humanity. And the last I will die knowing that my soul is as safe as the Rock of Ages in Eternity.
There is one great big regret, that is, I have not done good in my work. I have not shown to you and the world that I always meant to be a man, even though I have been bad, my ideals are, perhaps, staked to high, but I cannot lower them for one inch. When this National trouble is settled, I will prove that my words are not idle trash.
I know you would much rather I would die on the battlefield defending you and my country, when my Eternity is safe, than to live a thousand years as I have always been. I do not say what I have said just merely to have something to say, but I feel like it will be some help to you in this trial. I know that you are worrying about me is why I say this. I do not want you to grieve over me one minute. I know you can’t help but feel uneasy but you should not. I have many, many chances to never be scratched. Why, it is likely that I will never leave the United States. This war cannot last always. I most certainly believe that I will come out safely.
It is uncertain when I will get to come home, but I suppose sometime before Christmas. I know I will get to see you before I go to France.
In closing, I beg of you to be cheerful in this matter. Consider it thoroughly. Don’t worry over me for I am coming back, and then you will be proud of, and appreciate me as a real son. Be cheerful as I am. Why I am the most enthusiastic fellow you ever saw. If it is my duty to get the Kaiser, I am the man for the job.
Take care of yourselves and have the Kids to write to me for you often. I will not neglect to write as often as I can. I have many things to do, and don’t have much time for my correspondence, but you are always first.
With much love and good wishes, I am affectionately your son,
Spurgeon Nix.
NOTES: Spurgeon Nix was from Waldo, Columbia County, Arkansas. He was born on October 26, 1893 and died in April 1972 at Washington, D. C.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT