TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS SEPTEMBER 6, 1918 P. 3
Camp Mills, New York:
Dear Dad:
Thought I would write and let you know I got here, and am feeling fine. We sure had a fine trip, and came straight through the United States and on into Canada and to New York. They let us stop off a Niagara Falls two hours, and it is a grand site.
We came through Louisiana and Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. It took us five days, and when we got to New York City they put us on a boat and took us across the Bay to Brooklyn, where we got on another train and came out to Long Island to camp. So you see we had a nice trip, but won’t stay any longer than two weeks, for they are bringing boys here by the train load and shipping them right on over, so as quick as we draw our clothes we will leave. I am going to town to-morrow and will write and tell you what I see. We saw some of the most beautiful scenery in the world when we came through Canada and on down in Pennsylvania, but it was very cold in Canada.
Well, Dad, be good, and look for me back, for I don’t think they will get me, and I don’t think it will last much longer. Your loving son,
Paul
NOTES: Introduction to letter shows that the letter was written by Claude Townes, though the letter is signed with the name Paul. I believe Paul is correct. He was writing to his father Charles Townes. Paul was serving in Battery A, 142nd F.A. Paul Estel Townes was born on April 29, 1897 in Springdale, Arkansas and died on April 20, 1960. He is buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham, Texas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in Battery A, 142nd FA. He enlisted on September 24, 1916 and was discharged on June 25, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on August 31, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He returned from St. Nazaire, France, departing on June 3, 1919 onboard the Amphion. He was serving in Battery A, 142nd FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
Camp Mills, New York:
Dear Dad:
Thought I would write and let you know I got here, and am feeling fine. We sure had a fine trip, and came straight through the United States and on into Canada and to New York. They let us stop off a Niagara Falls two hours, and it is a grand site.
We came through Louisiana and Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. It took us five days, and when we got to New York City they put us on a boat and took us across the Bay to Brooklyn, where we got on another train and came out to Long Island to camp. So you see we had a nice trip, but won’t stay any longer than two weeks, for they are bringing boys here by the train load and shipping them right on over, so as quick as we draw our clothes we will leave. I am going to town to-morrow and will write and tell you what I see. We saw some of the most beautiful scenery in the world when we came through Canada and on down in Pennsylvania, but it was very cold in Canada.
Well, Dad, be good, and look for me back, for I don’t think they will get me, and I don’t think it will last much longer. Your loving son,
Paul
NOTES: Introduction to letter shows that the letter was written by Claude Townes, though the letter is signed with the name Paul. I believe Paul is correct. He was writing to his father Charles Townes. Paul was serving in Battery A, 142nd F.A. Paul Estel Townes was born on April 29, 1897 in Springdale, Arkansas and died on April 20, 1960. He is buried in the Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham, Texas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in Battery A, 142nd FA. He enlisted on September 24, 1916 and was discharged on June 25, 1919. He departed from Hoboken, NJ on August 31, 1918 onboard the Leviathan. He returned from St. Nazaire, France, departing on June 3, 1919 onboard the Amphion. He was serving in Battery A, 142nd FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD