TRANSCRIBED FROM WASHINGTON TELEGRAPH DECEMBER 6, 1918 P. 4
Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Nov. 7
Dear Sister and family:
Received your letter o. k., and was sorry that the influenza is so bad there, but it is everywhere. There are several cases down here, but it has disappeared now.
I would like to be returning home pretty soon with the other boys. I think the war is about over now. We got some good news today to the effect that Germany had given up. It is a good thing that she did, or the boys would have been in Berlin soon.
We are preparing for a big day next Sunday. Am sending you a program which the navy will render. I wish you could be here to see it.
The sand flies are so bad here now that we can’t be still in peace. They are small gnats, in fact, so small that you can hardly see them, but they bite like a flea and we can’t sleep of nights. Have you gotten the Christmas present I sent you some time ago?
Sent a letter to Paul some time ago, but I haven’t heard from him yet.
I have qualified in swimming and diving. I swim across the bay most every evening, which is one quarter of a mile, and the highest I have ever dived is 18 feet, and the lowest (under water) is 26 feet.
Your brother,
J.R. Rowe
U.S. Air and Submarine Base
NOTES: James Russell Rowe was one of three brothers serving in the military. The other two were Wallace and Paul Rowe. He is writing to his sister, India Belle Rowe. James was born in Penix City, Alabama on October 6, 1890 and died in Washington, Arkansas on April 23, 1960. He is buried in the Old Washington Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as a Texas recruit serving as S2 Navy.
TRANSCIBED BY: ISAAC WOLTER
Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Nov. 7
Dear Sister and family:
Received your letter o. k., and was sorry that the influenza is so bad there, but it is everywhere. There are several cases down here, but it has disappeared now.
I would like to be returning home pretty soon with the other boys. I think the war is about over now. We got some good news today to the effect that Germany had given up. It is a good thing that she did, or the boys would have been in Berlin soon.
We are preparing for a big day next Sunday. Am sending you a program which the navy will render. I wish you could be here to see it.
The sand flies are so bad here now that we can’t be still in peace. They are small gnats, in fact, so small that you can hardly see them, but they bite like a flea and we can’t sleep of nights. Have you gotten the Christmas present I sent you some time ago?
Sent a letter to Paul some time ago, but I haven’t heard from him yet.
I have qualified in swimming and diving. I swim across the bay most every evening, which is one quarter of a mile, and the highest I have ever dived is 18 feet, and the lowest (under water) is 26 feet.
Your brother,
J.R. Rowe
U.S. Air and Submarine Base
NOTES: James Russell Rowe was one of three brothers serving in the military. The other two were Wallace and Paul Rowe. He is writing to his sister, India Belle Rowe. James was born in Penix City, Alabama on October 6, 1890 and died in Washington, Arkansas on April 23, 1960. He is buried in the Old Washington Cemetery. His military headstone identifies him as a Texas recruit serving as S2 Navy.
TRANSCIBED BY: ISAAC WOLTER