TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT AUGUST 19, 1918 P. 2
Newport News, Va.,
August 19, 1918.
Hon. Judge R. B. Wilson,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Judge:
You read in the papers that a sub torpedoed an oil ship off the Virginia coast on Saturday and that eleven men were burned to a crisp on the waters, and that many more were horribly burned and injured, and forced to row for their lives through the burning sea of oil.
That might have been my fate, or the fate of your son, or some other Pope county boy! The Germans don't draw the line as to where you are from.
The "Give-a-Bushel" fund will go to help bind up the wounds of the sailor and soldier boys, as I understand it and I am enclosing to you one dollar, with best wishes for the success of the movement in our county.
Buy a couple of bushels of turnips, potatoes or anything that can be sold to advantage and place them on the market for my donation toward this great charity.
Being far removed as you are from the scene of this great struggle, you but little realize the hellishness of it all. I am on the coast where I can gather from those who pass through the awful tragedies enacted by the hell hounds of the seas and human butchers and vultures of the land in Europe, and hate is growing into a religion with me.
Judge, it would make your old heart swell and throb with a thousand emotions to see the splendid uniformed officers of the Army and Navy as they pass out to sea duty or to cross the waters to meet the enemy on the other side. I would follow any one of them to hell and stay there as long as he did. It makes you feel just that way!
Military rules prohibit my giving many details of this port or the great preparations our Government is looking to make this world a fit place to live in. Every effort should be made to do and give what the President asks, and I know that my people will stand behind her enlisted men and say, "give 'em hell, boys; we will keep the home fires burning!"
Kind regards to you and all inquiring friends.
ROBT. A. RAGSDALE,
Box 872. U.S.N.R.
NOTES: This letter was written by Robert Arthur Ragsdale to Judge Wilson who was the chairman of the county for the Give-A-Bushel Movement. He was born on May 5, 1888 and died on October 27, 1956. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a SMNL, US Navy Reserve serving in WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Newport News, Va.,
August 19, 1918.
Hon. Judge R. B. Wilson,
Russellville, Ark.
Dear Judge:
You read in the papers that a sub torpedoed an oil ship off the Virginia coast on Saturday and that eleven men were burned to a crisp on the waters, and that many more were horribly burned and injured, and forced to row for their lives through the burning sea of oil.
That might have been my fate, or the fate of your son, or some other Pope county boy! The Germans don't draw the line as to where you are from.
The "Give-a-Bushel" fund will go to help bind up the wounds of the sailor and soldier boys, as I understand it and I am enclosing to you one dollar, with best wishes for the success of the movement in our county.
Buy a couple of bushels of turnips, potatoes or anything that can be sold to advantage and place them on the market for my donation toward this great charity.
Being far removed as you are from the scene of this great struggle, you but little realize the hellishness of it all. I am on the coast where I can gather from those who pass through the awful tragedies enacted by the hell hounds of the seas and human butchers and vultures of the land in Europe, and hate is growing into a religion with me.
Judge, it would make your old heart swell and throb with a thousand emotions to see the splendid uniformed officers of the Army and Navy as they pass out to sea duty or to cross the waters to meet the enemy on the other side. I would follow any one of them to hell and stay there as long as he did. It makes you feel just that way!
Military rules prohibit my giving many details of this port or the great preparations our Government is looking to make this world a fit place to live in. Every effort should be made to do and give what the President asks, and I know that my people will stand behind her enlisted men and say, "give 'em hell, boys; we will keep the home fires burning!"
Kind regards to you and all inquiring friends.
ROBT. A. RAGSDALE,
Box 872. U.S.N.R.
NOTES: This letter was written by Robert Arthur Ragsdale to Judge Wilson who was the chairman of the county for the Give-A-Bushel Movement. He was born on May 5, 1888 and died on October 27, 1956. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a SMNL, US Navy Reserve serving in WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD