TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT MAY 30, 1919 P. 1
Guantamo Bay Cuba
May 16, 1919
Dear Editor:
Having received many favors from you lately in the form of your excellent paper will attempt partial favor payment by writing you a letter.
Have received copies of the Democrat often lately and must give it credit for the first hand knowledge that I possess of the city of Stamps and its people. The Democrat has stood by me during my three years in the Navy and it can rest assured I am going to boost it and stand by it in the future.
I am healthy and well contented with what life is handing me.
Since I have seen nothing to indicate that you nor your family are sick I infer all must be well.
We arrived here from South America April 23 and have been here since with the exception of two days time spent at Santiago De Cuba. There is no city to go to around here, no places of amusement to attend, so about all we do is drill, swim, eat and sleep.
We get mail from the States daily except Tuesdays and that makes good matters out of a bad condition.
The crew has spent practically all its time on the famous Guantanemo rifle range since we came here and nearly everyone has brought credit to himself and the ship. I feel at my best when I am on the range with a trusty Springfield rifle cutting my name through the bulls eye space on the target, it is a pleasure to me to stand by and see the boys hit the bulls eye, no wonder the Germans never had a chance.
The “President Wilson match” rifle team competition will be held in August on the famous rifle range at Caldwell, N J. the best rifle shots in the Marine corps in the U. S. will be there to fire before President Wilson. Sure would like to be there for I am sure I would see some excellent marksmanship.
Next week beginning May 19, the Denver, Tacoma and Cleveland will go out to sea for practice with the large guns, it will take us a week to complete firing all guns and all ships. I was a gun pointer when I was home last time, now I am gun captain and in charge of a gun and its crew, permanent appointment. I am used to firing the gun I am on or used to help firing it therefore I am going to fire again next week. If I make as good a record this time as I have previously done will be content to fire no more while in the service.
Lawrence Mackeys letter in the Democrat was excellent, his witticisms on army life and food was true as well as funny. Do you have any idea when Lawrence will arrive home or is he already there? That item in the Democrat stating that the 12th Eng. had arrived in the US, and would be soon home was pleasing to me of all the friends that I have in it, I value dear old James Montgomery best.
The work of the pupils of the Stamps High School has shown up very satisfactory this year and I am proud to see it, am also proud to see how strong a backing the S. I. A. has given the school, but best of all will be the new school building.
I did not dream of Stamps having a band again, but never-the-less I am glad to know it has. It will strengthen public interest in the city and liven up the city generaily.
We will complete our work here Nay 30 th and will sail for New York June 1st, I suppose furloughs will be issued there and I know I can get one, but will not take one as I have only one more year in the Navy and I need my currency for a start in civil life.
Must close now with best regards to your family and all my friends.
Roy A Skinner.
NOTES: Roy A. Skinner from Stamps, Arkansas enlisted in the Navy before the U. S. entered WW I and remained in the service after the war ended. The editor of the Lafayette County Democrat titled his letter, LETTER FROM “PETE.”
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Guantamo Bay Cuba
May 16, 1919
Dear Editor:
Having received many favors from you lately in the form of your excellent paper will attempt partial favor payment by writing you a letter.
Have received copies of the Democrat often lately and must give it credit for the first hand knowledge that I possess of the city of Stamps and its people. The Democrat has stood by me during my three years in the Navy and it can rest assured I am going to boost it and stand by it in the future.
I am healthy and well contented with what life is handing me.
Since I have seen nothing to indicate that you nor your family are sick I infer all must be well.
We arrived here from South America April 23 and have been here since with the exception of two days time spent at Santiago De Cuba. There is no city to go to around here, no places of amusement to attend, so about all we do is drill, swim, eat and sleep.
We get mail from the States daily except Tuesdays and that makes good matters out of a bad condition.
The crew has spent practically all its time on the famous Guantanemo rifle range since we came here and nearly everyone has brought credit to himself and the ship. I feel at my best when I am on the range with a trusty Springfield rifle cutting my name through the bulls eye space on the target, it is a pleasure to me to stand by and see the boys hit the bulls eye, no wonder the Germans never had a chance.
The “President Wilson match” rifle team competition will be held in August on the famous rifle range at Caldwell, N J. the best rifle shots in the Marine corps in the U. S. will be there to fire before President Wilson. Sure would like to be there for I am sure I would see some excellent marksmanship.
Next week beginning May 19, the Denver, Tacoma and Cleveland will go out to sea for practice with the large guns, it will take us a week to complete firing all guns and all ships. I was a gun pointer when I was home last time, now I am gun captain and in charge of a gun and its crew, permanent appointment. I am used to firing the gun I am on or used to help firing it therefore I am going to fire again next week. If I make as good a record this time as I have previously done will be content to fire no more while in the service.
Lawrence Mackeys letter in the Democrat was excellent, his witticisms on army life and food was true as well as funny. Do you have any idea when Lawrence will arrive home or is he already there? That item in the Democrat stating that the 12th Eng. had arrived in the US, and would be soon home was pleasing to me of all the friends that I have in it, I value dear old James Montgomery best.
The work of the pupils of the Stamps High School has shown up very satisfactory this year and I am proud to see it, am also proud to see how strong a backing the S. I. A. has given the school, but best of all will be the new school building.
I did not dream of Stamps having a band again, but never-the-less I am glad to know it has. It will strengthen public interest in the city and liven up the city generaily.
We will complete our work here Nay 30 th and will sail for New York June 1st, I suppose furloughs will be issued there and I know I can get one, but will not take one as I have only one more year in the Navy and I need my currency for a start in civil life.
Must close now with best regards to your family and all my friends.
Roy A Skinner.
NOTES: Roy A. Skinner from Stamps, Arkansas enlisted in the Navy before the U. S. entered WW I and remained in the service after the war ended. The editor of the Lafayette County Democrat titled his letter, LETTER FROM “PETE.”
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT