TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 4, 1918 P. 5
Somewhere in France,
Aug. 27th, 1918.
Dear home folks:
How are you all by this time? All O. K. I hope. I have been just fine and dandy since I left the states. This seems to be a healthy country, but the natives are not as sanitary as the people of the grand old U. S. A., but they look like they hardly know what it is to be sick. All the French people have the very best respect for the Americans for they say the U. S. has saved their country from destruction.
Our Captain says we are likely to stay at this place several months and I am glad of it for it is the neatest place I have seen since we landed. We are located in the edge of a little town about the size of Magnolia. We are over a hundred miles from the front. This is the most fertile country I have seen. The main crops here are wheat, hay and grapes, the people are very industrious, they are busy all the time. The French people are in better shape than I expected to find them, since being in war so long. There are more grapes here then all the other fruits put together. We have to pay dear for all the eats we buy, but we would not suffer if we could not buy anything, for we are given all we need to eat and wear.
I have not seen any of the boys yet that came over before we did. I think all of the home boys that were at Camp Beauregard, came over with us except Louis White and Dall Balton. Louis was anxious to come with us but could not get by.
Most all the buildings that I have seen are made of stone also the fences are made of stone, dirt and hedge.
To give you an idea of how far I am from home. I will tell you the difference in time. Dark comes here about the same time it does with you, and I ran my watch up six and a half hours on my way over here.
All of the war news I have had since we have landed is good. All of the boys I have talked with that have been on the front say we will get to go back to the U. S. A. before this time next year, for they think this war will be over at least by May 1919.
I wish I could hear from you all for I have not heard a word from you since I left Beauregard. Give my address to Mr. J. A. Thomas, Editor of the Lafayette County Democrat and tell him to send me the Democrat for six months.
I am acting as company orderly now for my company. It is easier than drilling, but I am on duty every day of the week. I had rather not work on Sunday, but this work has to be done and I never complain when my officer tells me to do anything. I must close now, love and best wishes to relatives and friends. As ever your son and brother.
Arthur L. Park.
NOTES: Arthur Lee Park was born on June 29, 1888 and died on August 1, 1962. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery at McKamie, Arkansas. He was in 3rd Reg. Arkansas National Guard when the U. S. entered the war and became a member of the 3rd Infantry. He was described as medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Somewhere in France,
Aug. 27th, 1918.
Dear home folks:
How are you all by this time? All O. K. I hope. I have been just fine and dandy since I left the states. This seems to be a healthy country, but the natives are not as sanitary as the people of the grand old U. S. A., but they look like they hardly know what it is to be sick. All the French people have the very best respect for the Americans for they say the U. S. has saved their country from destruction.
Our Captain says we are likely to stay at this place several months and I am glad of it for it is the neatest place I have seen since we landed. We are located in the edge of a little town about the size of Magnolia. We are over a hundred miles from the front. This is the most fertile country I have seen. The main crops here are wheat, hay and grapes, the people are very industrious, they are busy all the time. The French people are in better shape than I expected to find them, since being in war so long. There are more grapes here then all the other fruits put together. We have to pay dear for all the eats we buy, but we would not suffer if we could not buy anything, for we are given all we need to eat and wear.
I have not seen any of the boys yet that came over before we did. I think all of the home boys that were at Camp Beauregard, came over with us except Louis White and Dall Balton. Louis was anxious to come with us but could not get by.
Most all the buildings that I have seen are made of stone also the fences are made of stone, dirt and hedge.
To give you an idea of how far I am from home. I will tell you the difference in time. Dark comes here about the same time it does with you, and I ran my watch up six and a half hours on my way over here.
All of the war news I have had since we have landed is good. All of the boys I have talked with that have been on the front say we will get to go back to the U. S. A. before this time next year, for they think this war will be over at least by May 1919.
I wish I could hear from you all for I have not heard a word from you since I left Beauregard. Give my address to Mr. J. A. Thomas, Editor of the Lafayette County Democrat and tell him to send me the Democrat for six months.
I am acting as company orderly now for my company. It is easier than drilling, but I am on duty every day of the week. I had rather not work on Sunday, but this work has to be done and I never complain when my officer tells me to do anything. I must close now, love and best wishes to relatives and friends. As ever your son and brother.
Arthur L. Park.
NOTES: Arthur Lee Park was born on June 29, 1888 and died on August 1, 1962. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery at McKamie, Arkansas. He was in 3rd Reg. Arkansas National Guard when the U. S. entered the war and became a member of the 3rd Infantry. He was described as medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT