TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LONOKE DEMOCRAT JULY 11, 1918 P.1
My Dear Mama:
I know you have wondered what I have been doing since landing. Besides seeing lots of interesting sights coming down here I’ve made a trip to London where I saw nearly every thing I studied in history.
Probably you have heard of the famous Eagle Hut Y. M. C. A. When we got off the train about 4 a. m. we got in an American made automobile driven by an English lady and went to the Eagle Hut, she does nothing else but take soldiers where they want to go and wouldn’t let us pay a cent. After we brushed and fed up at the “Y” we took a little walk. There isn’t a thing open until about 9 o’clock so we came back to the “Y” and found a sight seeing “bus” ready to leave so we crawled in and went to the “London Towers” first, St. Paul’s Cathedral, West Minster Abbey, The Royal Stables and Palace and the Art Meuseum. Our guide was splendid and of course explained everything to us. There is no need for me to go into details as to what we saw. It would take too long, besides you know what is of interest in these places. Then we got back here in time for a good night’s rest. I certainly did enjoy my trip and am very anxious to make it again.
I met a number of American boys in both the British and Canadian Army. One old Irishman who used to work on the steamboat on the Mississippi River said he was so glad to see “Our Babies,” as he calls the U. S. boys come over, said he knew they wouldn’t be satisfied until they were in Berlin.
I hope that I can sure give you a permanent adress but as yet we have not been located. I’ve found a number of boys from Arkansas, one this afternoon from Argenta, although I didn’t know him before.
We haven’t had any mail yet but are looking for it every day. I know I should have several letters and am getting mighty anxious to hear from you all.
I sent a cablegram, I find we can send messages at the end of every week for about eight cents a word, so I’ll try to send you word every few weeks but not until I’m sure you have received this letter so you won’t misunderstand it. Then if I ever get hurt I can let you know at once and promise to do it, so don’t worry until you get a message to worry.
I know every little war news they don’t print much but these soldiers back from the front seem to feel pretty sure as to the results of this big drive, and all say they will be home by Christmas. I certainly hope it is so.
We are all well and very comfortable and expect to be better fixed soon, if such is possible.
Please send me clippings from the paper of the baseball “standings.”
Must close now with a heart full of love to all from your devoted son,
Thos. N. Street
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
My Dear Mama:
I know you have wondered what I have been doing since landing. Besides seeing lots of interesting sights coming down here I’ve made a trip to London where I saw nearly every thing I studied in history.
Probably you have heard of the famous Eagle Hut Y. M. C. A. When we got off the train about 4 a. m. we got in an American made automobile driven by an English lady and went to the Eagle Hut, she does nothing else but take soldiers where they want to go and wouldn’t let us pay a cent. After we brushed and fed up at the “Y” we took a little walk. There isn’t a thing open until about 9 o’clock so we came back to the “Y” and found a sight seeing “bus” ready to leave so we crawled in and went to the “London Towers” first, St. Paul’s Cathedral, West Minster Abbey, The Royal Stables and Palace and the Art Meuseum. Our guide was splendid and of course explained everything to us. There is no need for me to go into details as to what we saw. It would take too long, besides you know what is of interest in these places. Then we got back here in time for a good night’s rest. I certainly did enjoy my trip and am very anxious to make it again.
I met a number of American boys in both the British and Canadian Army. One old Irishman who used to work on the steamboat on the Mississippi River said he was so glad to see “Our Babies,” as he calls the U. S. boys come over, said he knew they wouldn’t be satisfied until they were in Berlin.
I hope that I can sure give you a permanent adress but as yet we have not been located. I’ve found a number of boys from Arkansas, one this afternoon from Argenta, although I didn’t know him before.
We haven’t had any mail yet but are looking for it every day. I know I should have several letters and am getting mighty anxious to hear from you all.
I sent a cablegram, I find we can send messages at the end of every week for about eight cents a word, so I’ll try to send you word every few weeks but not until I’m sure you have received this letter so you won’t misunderstand it. Then if I ever get hurt I can let you know at once and promise to do it, so don’t worry until you get a message to worry.
I know every little war news they don’t print much but these soldiers back from the front seem to feel pretty sure as to the results of this big drive, and all say they will be home by Christmas. I certainly hope it is so.
We are all well and very comfortable and expect to be better fixed soon, if such is possible.
Please send me clippings from the paper of the baseball “standings.”
Must close now with a heart full of love to all from your devoted son,
Thos. N. Street
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON