TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS APRIL 25, 1919 P. 1
Camp Guthrie, Montoir, St. Nazaire
France, April 2, 1919
Editor News:
I am enclosing you a copy of a poem written by an officer of my regiment and read at a farewell banquet given to me by the officers of the 1st Battalion of my Regiment on my departure from Valdhon.
It is a very interesting parody and I was of the opinion that you would like to publish it in the News. Any soldier or member of the Regiment will appreciate reading it and so will the folks back home.
My Regiment has just been divided up, the first Battalion is firing for the Army Artillery School at Valdhon. This includes A and B Batteries from Springdale and Fayetteville. They are fully equiped with all the latest modern equipment and are doing some very interesting work, including special tests, etc., these two units were selected for this work on account of their efficiency and I am proud of them. They are from N.W. Arkansas, the best place on earth.
The remainder of the Regiment is here with me doing train convoy work. We furnish guards for all military Supply Trains leaving this port for all parts of France, Belgium, Germany and Italy. The men like it very much as it gives them a chance to see all the country.
We expect to be here about two months and then to return to the good old U.S.A.
I certainly have a fine Regiment, a splendid bunch of officers and men, all of them, and I am proud of them. We have made good at everything we have done so far and will continue to do so to the last.
Coming over the 142nd F.A. was honored by being selected as guard for the Leviathan, formerly the great German liner, Vaterland, and I was selected as troop commander for the ship, commanding all the troops aboard a total of 10,000 and we handled it with honor and credit to the Regiment and were given a letter of appreciation from the captain of the Leviathan for the efficient work we did.
Our Regiment and the 114 Sanitary train are the only Arkansas troops left over here.
From the good reports I have from my business my friends and my customers have sure stood by me in my absence and I appreciate it. June will make 3 years since I was called away from my business into Federal Service.
You can tell my friends that before many more weeks pass W.G. will be back at the old stand rolling pills and looking for more business.
After having traveled over the largest part of the U.S. and the best part of Europe in the past 3 years I have decided that the little city of Springdale, Arkansas is the best place on earth and it has by far the best people on earth. All she needs now is some modern improvements and it will be a model little city. My greatest desire is to spend the remainder of my life in Springdale, among the people I love.
Please convey my best wishes to all my friends.
So here is hoping we will all soon be returned to our native land, the good old U.S.A., the country we all love.
With kindest personal regards, I am, cordially and sincerely,
Wm. G. Ownbey
Colonel 142nd F.A.
NOTES: William Garland Ownbey was born on November 8, 1877 in Springdale, Arkansas. He died in Fayetteville, Arkansas on July 27, 1928. He is buried in the Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. His non-military headstone is decorated with 142nd (with crossed cannons) engraving and identifies him as a Colonel, Citizen, Soldier Druggist. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 13, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. Hew as listed as a Col. serving in 142nd FA and Co M 808th Pioneer Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Camp Guthrie, Montoir, St. Nazaire
France, April 2, 1919
Editor News:
I am enclosing you a copy of a poem written by an officer of my regiment and read at a farewell banquet given to me by the officers of the 1st Battalion of my Regiment on my departure from Valdhon.
It is a very interesting parody and I was of the opinion that you would like to publish it in the News. Any soldier or member of the Regiment will appreciate reading it and so will the folks back home.
My Regiment has just been divided up, the first Battalion is firing for the Army Artillery School at Valdhon. This includes A and B Batteries from Springdale and Fayetteville. They are fully equiped with all the latest modern equipment and are doing some very interesting work, including special tests, etc., these two units were selected for this work on account of their efficiency and I am proud of them. They are from N.W. Arkansas, the best place on earth.
The remainder of the Regiment is here with me doing train convoy work. We furnish guards for all military Supply Trains leaving this port for all parts of France, Belgium, Germany and Italy. The men like it very much as it gives them a chance to see all the country.
We expect to be here about two months and then to return to the good old U.S.A.
I certainly have a fine Regiment, a splendid bunch of officers and men, all of them, and I am proud of them. We have made good at everything we have done so far and will continue to do so to the last.
Coming over the 142nd F.A. was honored by being selected as guard for the Leviathan, formerly the great German liner, Vaterland, and I was selected as troop commander for the ship, commanding all the troops aboard a total of 10,000 and we handled it with honor and credit to the Regiment and were given a letter of appreciation from the captain of the Leviathan for the efficient work we did.
Our Regiment and the 114 Sanitary train are the only Arkansas troops left over here.
From the good reports I have from my business my friends and my customers have sure stood by me in my absence and I appreciate it. June will make 3 years since I was called away from my business into Federal Service.
You can tell my friends that before many more weeks pass W.G. will be back at the old stand rolling pills and looking for more business.
After having traveled over the largest part of the U.S. and the best part of Europe in the past 3 years I have decided that the little city of Springdale, Arkansas is the best place on earth and it has by far the best people on earth. All she needs now is some modern improvements and it will be a model little city. My greatest desire is to spend the remainder of my life in Springdale, among the people I love.
Please convey my best wishes to all my friends.
So here is hoping we will all soon be returned to our native land, the good old U.S.A., the country we all love.
With kindest personal regards, I am, cordially and sincerely,
Wm. G. Ownbey
Colonel 142nd F.A.
NOTES: William Garland Ownbey was born on November 8, 1877 in Springdale, Arkansas. He died in Fayetteville, Arkansas on July 27, 1928. He is buried in the Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. His non-military headstone is decorated with 142nd (with crossed cannons) engraving and identifies him as a Colonel, Citizen, Soldier Druggist. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 13, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. Hew as listed as a Col. serving in 142nd FA and Co M 808th Pioneer Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON