TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MOUNTAIN ECHO OCTOBER 18, 1918, P. 4
Camp Pike, Ark. Oct. 12, 18
Editor Echo:
Spare me space and I will try to write a few lines to the friends in old Marion county.
We boys from home sure are doing some learning with our rifles which we have had two weeks, and we do some drilling with them. We have had some drill with our gas masks, which is our second best friend. In France our rifle is our best friend and our gas mask is our second best friend. The most of us can put them on in 8 seconds.
In my other letter to the Echo I didn’t know whether I was going to stay in the service of the U. S. A. or not, but I have got doctored up so I can go on through with the boys, and most of us Marion county boys that left home Aug. 27 are expecting to leave Camp Pike as soon as all are well, and we are in hopes of taking Xmas in France and the Marion county boys want the Kaiser by July 4, 1919.
Hope the people will have a pretty fall to gather their crops.
I have seen most all the boys from Marion county, and all seem to be having a good time and enjoying life. You boys who are to come, don’t dread to come the least bit, for Camp Pike is as near like home as can be, not to be home. We get to put our feet under the table three times a day, a good house to stay in and a good bed to sleep on.
Well I will bring my letter to a close for the present. With best wishes to all, hoping that we will make a speedy return to our friends and loved ones.
Your soldier boy,
Otis Record
Camp Pike, Arkansas
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Camp Pike, Ark. Oct. 12, 18
Editor Echo:
Spare me space and I will try to write a few lines to the friends in old Marion county.
We boys from home sure are doing some learning with our rifles which we have had two weeks, and we do some drilling with them. We have had some drill with our gas masks, which is our second best friend. In France our rifle is our best friend and our gas mask is our second best friend. The most of us can put them on in 8 seconds.
In my other letter to the Echo I didn’t know whether I was going to stay in the service of the U. S. A. or not, but I have got doctored up so I can go on through with the boys, and most of us Marion county boys that left home Aug. 27 are expecting to leave Camp Pike as soon as all are well, and we are in hopes of taking Xmas in France and the Marion county boys want the Kaiser by July 4, 1919.
Hope the people will have a pretty fall to gather their crops.
I have seen most all the boys from Marion county, and all seem to be having a good time and enjoying life. You boys who are to come, don’t dread to come the least bit, for Camp Pike is as near like home as can be, not to be home. We get to put our feet under the table three times a day, a good house to stay in and a good bed to sleep on.
Well I will bring my letter to a close for the present. With best wishes to all, hoping that we will make a speedy return to our friends and loved ones.
Your soldier boy,
Otis Record
Camp Pike, Arkansas
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON