TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT AUGUST 9, 1918 P. 1
Dear Mother:
I suppose you think your son Jonah can’t be serous, but I can. I am beginning to realize that I haven’t any too much enterlec, but I could be more serious than I am, but what is the use of me writing you a great long letter, and trying to get your sympathy. I know that you all love me, and would do anything for me. I love you too, and this war has caused me to think again. I shall appreciate another home, as the one I left. I thank God that I am an enlisted man, and by permission of my dear mother. You love your boys just as dearly as any mother, and you have striven to raise us in the right way, too, and you can’t be called the mother of a Slacker. I wish too, if it was possible, that you had an entire company to give to the cause and now as you have three who are going to do their best, pray for us. Not so much for our personal safety, but for the love of Christ in our hearts.
If you will pardon me I will tell you of a conversation I had with one of the new men last night. He was telling me of his dear mother and said “here is a letter from her, read it.” I read the letter and it was a good one too, but most of it was based upon his safe return, and not so much on the safety of his sole. He is, or rather plays the part of a sinner. He said, “if there is anything in prayers, my Dad and Mother are going to pray me out of this.” I won’t say what I told him, but I got him told just the same. I must quit.
I am gone now.
Your loving son.
Jonah Reeves.
P. S. Send me a water melon, please!
NOTES: Jonah Warren Reeves was the youngest of three brothers from Stamps, Arkansas serving in the army during WWI. He was born December 20, 1895 and died on May 17, 1948. He is buried in the Minden City Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana. He was a PFC in the 154 Infantry, 39th Division. Letters of the other brothers are also posted on this site.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Mother:
I suppose you think your son Jonah can’t be serous, but I can. I am beginning to realize that I haven’t any too much enterlec, but I could be more serious than I am, but what is the use of me writing you a great long letter, and trying to get your sympathy. I know that you all love me, and would do anything for me. I love you too, and this war has caused me to think again. I shall appreciate another home, as the one I left. I thank God that I am an enlisted man, and by permission of my dear mother. You love your boys just as dearly as any mother, and you have striven to raise us in the right way, too, and you can’t be called the mother of a Slacker. I wish too, if it was possible, that you had an entire company to give to the cause and now as you have three who are going to do their best, pray for us. Not so much for our personal safety, but for the love of Christ in our hearts.
If you will pardon me I will tell you of a conversation I had with one of the new men last night. He was telling me of his dear mother and said “here is a letter from her, read it.” I read the letter and it was a good one too, but most of it was based upon his safe return, and not so much on the safety of his sole. He is, or rather plays the part of a sinner. He said, “if there is anything in prayers, my Dad and Mother are going to pray me out of this.” I won’t say what I told him, but I got him told just the same. I must quit.
I am gone now.
Your loving son.
Jonah Reeves.
P. S. Send me a water melon, please!
NOTES: Jonah Warren Reeves was the youngest of three brothers from Stamps, Arkansas serving in the army during WWI. He was born December 20, 1895 and died on May 17, 1948. He is buried in the Minden City Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana. He was a PFC in the 154 Infantry, 39th Division. Letters of the other brothers are also posted on this site.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT