TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 31, 1918 P. 1
Dear Ben:
You can imagine just where I am. Well I am sitting out in a garden of a beautiful chatteau. In the center of this big flower garden is a life size statue of the “Greek Slave.” All of the stonework in the walk and house are granite. The estate was built some 150 years ago. The people who live there can’t remember just when. The furniture is of the Henry VII style, all very elaborate. The bed-room (the one I visited) is furnished in birdseye maple; the prettiest bed, chairs, and dressing table I ever hope to see. Down stairs in the dining room, there are a lot of pretty things. The floor is bare and is of polished granite, the furniture is all hand carved walnut, leather upholstered. On the buffet there are all kinds of cut glass and engraved silver; over the table hangs a cut glass chandalier. Then for the real room–the music room–the walls are decorated with a very pretty tapestry. The curtains are a peculiar shade of pink: the tables and chairs are of the delicate Henry VII model, and are of some sort of gold finish; but I made myself at home, just like it was my big Morris schair, while the lady played the grand piano. The floor in this room is also of granite, but it is covered with a thick rug from the Orient; all around this room there are statues about three feet high. I recognized Venus, Mercury, and the Three Graces. In the entrance to the house there is a beautiful Madonna built into the wall. This is a very poor description of a beautiful place but it is the best I can do.
I saw all of this because of one of my friends who speaks French. As I learn more about the French people, their homes and country, I’ll try to write them to you.
HARRY E. TORBETT
NOTES: Harrie (NAME SPELLED INCORRECTLY BY NEWSPAPER) Eugene Torbett was born on October 30, 1894 in Jerico Springs, Missouri and died on November 18, 1950. He is buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. 142nd FA 39th Division on World War 1. He enlisted on April 1, 1917 and was discharged on June 10, 1919. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 31, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Medical Detachment 142nd FA. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 3, 1919 onboard the Amphion. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Supply Co. 142nd FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Dear Ben:
You can imagine just where I am. Well I am sitting out in a garden of a beautiful chatteau. In the center of this big flower garden is a life size statue of the “Greek Slave.” All of the stonework in the walk and house are granite. The estate was built some 150 years ago. The people who live there can’t remember just when. The furniture is of the Henry VII style, all very elaborate. The bed-room (the one I visited) is furnished in birdseye maple; the prettiest bed, chairs, and dressing table I ever hope to see. Down stairs in the dining room, there are a lot of pretty things. The floor is bare and is of polished granite, the furniture is all hand carved walnut, leather upholstered. On the buffet there are all kinds of cut glass and engraved silver; over the table hangs a cut glass chandalier. Then for the real room–the music room–the walls are decorated with a very pretty tapestry. The curtains are a peculiar shade of pink: the tables and chairs are of the delicate Henry VII model, and are of some sort of gold finish; but I made myself at home, just like it was my big Morris schair, while the lady played the grand piano. The floor in this room is also of granite, but it is covered with a thick rug from the Orient; all around this room there are statues about three feet high. I recognized Venus, Mercury, and the Three Graces. In the entrance to the house there is a beautiful Madonna built into the wall. This is a very poor description of a beautiful place but it is the best I can do.
I saw all of this because of one of my friends who speaks French. As I learn more about the French people, their homes and country, I’ll try to write them to you.
HARRY E. TORBETT
NOTES: Harrie (NAME SPELLED INCORRECTLY BY NEWSPAPER) Eugene Torbett was born on October 30, 1894 in Jerico Springs, Missouri and died on November 18, 1950. He is buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. 142nd FA 39th Division on World War 1. He enlisted on April 1, 1917 and was discharged on June 10, 1919. He departed Hoboken, NJ on August 31, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Medical Detachment 142nd FA. He departed St. Nazaire, France on June 3, 1919 onboard the Amphion. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in Supply Co. 142nd FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD