TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE NOVEMBER 10, 1918 P. 20
Just came back from the rifle range, where we expected to spend a week, but we came back Wednesday afternoon. We slept in our pup tents while we were on the range, and I found them to be much warmer than I had expected. We sleep two men to the tent, and when it is as cold as it is at present, we button our slickers over the opening in the tent and that keeps out the rain and wind. After we get all rolled up in our blankets, we sleep nice and warm until the next morning.
The weather here has been nice and dry the last few days, but this evening it is raining again, and when it rains over here it surely is miserable. We are quartered in a small country village, and if it weren’t for the scarceness of young men, you couldn’t tell there ever was any such a thing as war going on. The people are the old-fashioned country folks, and I believe they would do a lot for us fellows if only they were able to do so, but as it is, they are just about living from hand to mouth. A lot of the people who are running these stores can retire after we leave for home, for they surely are getting rich off the American soldiers. We spend more money than a lot of them ever saw, as they can go a long way with a franc, why they ought to have easy sailing after we leave. They surely know how to charge us for the things we buy, and I believe they have the mistaken idea that all the American soldiers are millionaires and charge accordingly. I have been paid twice since I have been here. The first time I received 70 francs, and the list time 50 francs, which equals about $21.50 altogether, as a franc is about 18 cents in our money.
There is a lot of wild blackberries over here, and somehow or other the natives don’t seem to care to eat them, but we should worry, for we don’t pass them by. I sure am eating my share, for, outside of the stick candy we get at our commissary, they are about the only sweets one can get over here. The French candy is not sweet, as they haven’t any sugar over here, so what is the use of buying candy if it isn’t sweet.
NOTES: Mallie Jack Schnebly is writing to his mother, Mrs. R.A. Schnebly. He was born on April 23, 1896 in Lonoke, Arkansas and died on December 21, 1983. He enlisted on April 1, 1918 and was discharged on September 18, 1919. He was described as being of medium height and slim with gray eyes and brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Just came back from the rifle range, where we expected to spend a week, but we came back Wednesday afternoon. We slept in our pup tents while we were on the range, and I found them to be much warmer than I had expected. We sleep two men to the tent, and when it is as cold as it is at present, we button our slickers over the opening in the tent and that keeps out the rain and wind. After we get all rolled up in our blankets, we sleep nice and warm until the next morning.
The weather here has been nice and dry the last few days, but this evening it is raining again, and when it rains over here it surely is miserable. We are quartered in a small country village, and if it weren’t for the scarceness of young men, you couldn’t tell there ever was any such a thing as war going on. The people are the old-fashioned country folks, and I believe they would do a lot for us fellows if only they were able to do so, but as it is, they are just about living from hand to mouth. A lot of the people who are running these stores can retire after we leave for home, for they surely are getting rich off the American soldiers. We spend more money than a lot of them ever saw, as they can go a long way with a franc, why they ought to have easy sailing after we leave. They surely know how to charge us for the things we buy, and I believe they have the mistaken idea that all the American soldiers are millionaires and charge accordingly. I have been paid twice since I have been here. The first time I received 70 francs, and the list time 50 francs, which equals about $21.50 altogether, as a franc is about 18 cents in our money.
There is a lot of wild blackberries over here, and somehow or other the natives don’t seem to care to eat them, but we should worry, for we don’t pass them by. I sure am eating my share, for, outside of the stick candy we get at our commissary, they are about the only sweets one can get over here. The French candy is not sweet, as they haven’t any sugar over here, so what is the use of buying candy if it isn’t sweet.
NOTES: Mallie Jack Schnebly is writing to his mother, Mrs. R.A. Schnebly. He was born on April 23, 1896 in Lonoke, Arkansas and died on December 21, 1983. He enlisted on April 1, 1918 and was discharged on September 18, 1919. He was described as being of medium height and slim with gray eyes and brown hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT