TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER OCTOBER 9, 1918 P. 1
Co. C 141 M. G. Bn.
American Ex. Forces.
Aug. 22, 1918.
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Olds.
Emerson, Ark.
Dear Parents:
At last I am writing you all again, may not write much but will let you hear from me any way, if this reaches you, which I hope it will. I have arrived over-sea.
I am well, don’t guess I ever was in better health, and I am enjoying myself, believe me. Can’t tell you where I am, or how long we were on our way, though, we had a good, enjoyable time. We experienced one stormy night while on sea, everything was “shakeyfied,” I never felt uneasy one time. We were not bothered at all by the enemy. Did you get the card I mailed you on my arrival over here? I could not write you any sooner because I did not have any paper.
Tell Mr. Watson or Hattie that I saw Jesse yesterday. He was well, said Albert and Hardie were well. We are closer to each other than we were at Beauregard, also tell Mr. Pearson that Edgar is well. We are together and well satisfied with the place we are at. Manning and Millard are well, also Titus, if Mrs. Houck hasn’t heard form him. We are all better satisfied than expected. This is the prettiest country I ever saw, though I’m coming back home the first opportunity after the victory is won by U. S. and we feel confident of it. I would not take anything for my trip. I have seen so much.
Are you all well, Mama? Is Papa any better than he was when I heard from you all last (when I saw dear little Levie) ? How is grandma? Tell her hello. How is brother, Emma, Levie, Obie D., Goma and Lawrence? Tell them I will write them as soon as I can. Tell aunt Ella, Anna Mae, Emma Jane, Nettye and Ira that I can’t forget them, will write them when I can. Tell Unas, Minnie and Mr. Whaley that I am well satisfied, see something new every day. Tell Austin he is a long way from his picture he gave me. I have it now also one of papa, mamma and grandma. I can’t realize that I’m so far away from you all. Give Levie my address. Tell her to write to me. I can’t write so many letters now as I have, but I’ll write you all often so you can hear from me. I could write an enteresting letter if I wrote everything that happened and everything I have seen, but I do not want to do anything against military rules. When have you seen Will and Lizzie.
Water is good here, we get plenty to eat. Tell Mr. Hadley if he could see me talking to the people over here he would laugh. We are certainly treated nice by everybody over here.
I’m praying faithfully, believe I will be cared for and hope to return to you all after we do what we came over here to do. Well I have told you about all I am allowed and I have told you the truth. Give my best wishes to all.
Answer soon.
Your son.
Leonard Olds.
NOTES: Leonard Stevens Olds was born on May 4, 1896 in Brister, Columbia County, Arkansas and died on March 15. 1969. He is buried in the Emerson Presbyterian Cemetery, Emerson, Columbia County. He first enlisted in Co. K, 3rd Reg. A.N.G. He was described as being of medium height and weight with gray eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY
Co. C 141 M. G. Bn.
American Ex. Forces.
Aug. 22, 1918.
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Olds.
Emerson, Ark.
Dear Parents:
At last I am writing you all again, may not write much but will let you hear from me any way, if this reaches you, which I hope it will. I have arrived over-sea.
I am well, don’t guess I ever was in better health, and I am enjoying myself, believe me. Can’t tell you where I am, or how long we were on our way, though, we had a good, enjoyable time. We experienced one stormy night while on sea, everything was “shakeyfied,” I never felt uneasy one time. We were not bothered at all by the enemy. Did you get the card I mailed you on my arrival over here? I could not write you any sooner because I did not have any paper.
Tell Mr. Watson or Hattie that I saw Jesse yesterday. He was well, said Albert and Hardie were well. We are closer to each other than we were at Beauregard, also tell Mr. Pearson that Edgar is well. We are together and well satisfied with the place we are at. Manning and Millard are well, also Titus, if Mrs. Houck hasn’t heard form him. We are all better satisfied than expected. This is the prettiest country I ever saw, though I’m coming back home the first opportunity after the victory is won by U. S. and we feel confident of it. I would not take anything for my trip. I have seen so much.
Are you all well, Mama? Is Papa any better than he was when I heard from you all last (when I saw dear little Levie) ? How is grandma? Tell her hello. How is brother, Emma, Levie, Obie D., Goma and Lawrence? Tell them I will write them as soon as I can. Tell aunt Ella, Anna Mae, Emma Jane, Nettye and Ira that I can’t forget them, will write them when I can. Tell Unas, Minnie and Mr. Whaley that I am well satisfied, see something new every day. Tell Austin he is a long way from his picture he gave me. I have it now also one of papa, mamma and grandma. I can’t realize that I’m so far away from you all. Give Levie my address. Tell her to write to me. I can’t write so many letters now as I have, but I’ll write you all often so you can hear from me. I could write an enteresting letter if I wrote everything that happened and everything I have seen, but I do not want to do anything against military rules. When have you seen Will and Lizzie.
Water is good here, we get plenty to eat. Tell Mr. Hadley if he could see me talking to the people over here he would laugh. We are certainly treated nice by everybody over here.
I’m praying faithfully, believe I will be cared for and hope to return to you all after we do what we came over here to do. Well I have told you about all I am allowed and I have told you the truth. Give my best wishes to all.
Answer soon.
Your son.
Leonard Olds.
NOTES: Leonard Stevens Olds was born on May 4, 1896 in Brister, Columbia County, Arkansas and died on March 15. 1969. He is buried in the Emerson Presbyterian Cemetery, Emerson, Columbia County. He first enlisted in Co. K, 3rd Reg. A.N.G. He was described as being of medium height and weight with gray eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY