TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD SEPTEMBER 27, 1918 P. 3
Sept. 8, 1918.
Mr. L. P. Blankenship.
My dear Sir and Friend:
I received a copy of the Herald just a few days ago, and you may be sure I enjoyed it immensely. I had thought of writing a few words to my friends through your good paper for some time, and after reading so many things of interest to me right from old Randolph, and home, I just can’t help but write and let my friends know something of my whereabouts and welfare. Of course, the best way to reach all my friends in North Arkansas is through the Old Reliable, as most everyone there is a reader of your paper. To my friends, who do not know just where I’ve been since I enlisted in the navy, I wish to say that I am enjoying perfect health and life aboard one of Uncle Sam’s battlers and it isn’t nearly so bad as some things I know; really I am enjoying the navy life. It isn’t a life of luxury and ease by any means, but a life of real service, and at times is not exactly pleasant. Yet as far as being comfortably cared for, it seems to me we are better cared for than might be expected, when we consider the great problems our government has had to deal with in such a short time. Every one should be thankful that the government is so carefully looking after the boys, who are in the service.
Now, in regard to where I have been since I enlisted: Immediately after enlisting I was sent to Chicago, where I received training. After four months I was placed on a draft to the Atlantic coast and seven days later was sent to Philadelphia, after which I was transferred to the U. S. S. Minnesota. Then, you know almost as much about where I’ve been since I came aboard the “Minn” as I do. The trip from Chicago to Philadelphia occupied two days and nights, and we surely did enjoy every minute. I was the only Randolph county boy among the five hundred sailors that made the trip, but just this afternoon before I left Chicago Oatis Vandergriff and Spurgeon Pease, both from Pocahontas and old friends of mine, who happened to know my company address, came over to see me. We enjoyed a long chat and after thanking them for bringing some letters which had been sent to my old address, bade them “so long” and didn’t see them again. In the Star Herald I was glad to find their addresses. I shall be glad to hear from any of my Randolph county friends any time. With very best wishes to you sir, and thanks to the editor, I am yours truly,
I. H. Short,
U. S. S. Minnesota, Div. A. 3
Ft. Monroe, Va.
NOTES: Isiah Hall Short was born on May 25, 1894 in Middlebrook, Arkansas and died June 19, 1993 in El Dorado, Arkansas. He is buried in the Arlington Memorial Park in El Dorado.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Sept. 8, 1918.
Mr. L. P. Blankenship.
My dear Sir and Friend:
I received a copy of the Herald just a few days ago, and you may be sure I enjoyed it immensely. I had thought of writing a few words to my friends through your good paper for some time, and after reading so many things of interest to me right from old Randolph, and home, I just can’t help but write and let my friends know something of my whereabouts and welfare. Of course, the best way to reach all my friends in North Arkansas is through the Old Reliable, as most everyone there is a reader of your paper. To my friends, who do not know just where I’ve been since I enlisted in the navy, I wish to say that I am enjoying perfect health and life aboard one of Uncle Sam’s battlers and it isn’t nearly so bad as some things I know; really I am enjoying the navy life. It isn’t a life of luxury and ease by any means, but a life of real service, and at times is not exactly pleasant. Yet as far as being comfortably cared for, it seems to me we are better cared for than might be expected, when we consider the great problems our government has had to deal with in such a short time. Every one should be thankful that the government is so carefully looking after the boys, who are in the service.
Now, in regard to where I have been since I enlisted: Immediately after enlisting I was sent to Chicago, where I received training. After four months I was placed on a draft to the Atlantic coast and seven days later was sent to Philadelphia, after which I was transferred to the U. S. S. Minnesota. Then, you know almost as much about where I’ve been since I came aboard the “Minn” as I do. The trip from Chicago to Philadelphia occupied two days and nights, and we surely did enjoy every minute. I was the only Randolph county boy among the five hundred sailors that made the trip, but just this afternoon before I left Chicago Oatis Vandergriff and Spurgeon Pease, both from Pocahontas and old friends of mine, who happened to know my company address, came over to see me. We enjoyed a long chat and after thanking them for bringing some letters which had been sent to my old address, bade them “so long” and didn’t see them again. In the Star Herald I was glad to find their addresses. I shall be glad to hear from any of my Randolph county friends any time. With very best wishes to you sir, and thanks to the editor, I am yours truly,
I. H. Short,
U. S. S. Minnesota, Div. A. 3
Ft. Monroe, Va.
NOTES: Isiah Hall Short was born on May 25, 1894 in Middlebrook, Arkansas and died June 19, 1993 in El Dorado, Arkansas. He is buried in the Arlington Memorial Park in El Dorado.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS