TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE DECEMBER 5, 1918 P 7
Yesterday I saw something I wish Arkansas could see. I was in a strange town, among strangers, not one person in that city did I know. A train came through, going to the rear, loaded with wounded soldiers, and under a tent stood three women, serving hot coffee and sandwiches to the wounded soldiers. The sight caused me to pause and gaze. I stepped up and one of the women asked:
“What is it for you, something special?”
My heart flew to my mouth, and I said:
Yes, I want to shake hands with an American girl.
This lady’s name is Miss Marshall and she is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, and is an Arkansas girl. Just to think what real Americans will o. The crippled with crutches limped away with coffee and sandwiches and a kind word of cheer from a blue-eyed American girl from Arkansas. Those who could not leave the cars were served with coffee and eats on the train.
NOTES: Captain John Silas Underhill was writing to his aunt Mrs. Tip Edwards of Little Rock, Arkansas He was born on December 18, 1888 at Beebe, White County, Arkansas and died on January 20, 1965 in Lonoke, Arkansas. He is buried in the Lonoke Cemetery at Lonoke. His military headstone identifies him as a Capt. Serving in Co. K, 153 Inf. 39th Div. in WW I. In 1910 he was serving in the Philippines. He enlisted in the military on August 6, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Yesterday I saw something I wish Arkansas could see. I was in a strange town, among strangers, not one person in that city did I know. A train came through, going to the rear, loaded with wounded soldiers, and under a tent stood three women, serving hot coffee and sandwiches to the wounded soldiers. The sight caused me to pause and gaze. I stepped up and one of the women asked:
“What is it for you, something special?”
My heart flew to my mouth, and I said:
Yes, I want to shake hands with an American girl.
This lady’s name is Miss Marshall and she is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, and is an Arkansas girl. Just to think what real Americans will o. The crippled with crutches limped away with coffee and sandwiches and a kind word of cheer from a blue-eyed American girl from Arkansas. Those who could not leave the cars were served with coffee and eats on the train.
NOTES: Captain John Silas Underhill was writing to his aunt Mrs. Tip Edwards of Little Rock, Arkansas He was born on December 18, 1888 at Beebe, White County, Arkansas and died on January 20, 1965 in Lonoke, Arkansas. He is buried in the Lonoke Cemetery at Lonoke. His military headstone identifies him as a Capt. Serving in Co. K, 153 Inf. 39th Div. in WW I. In 1910 he was serving in the Philippines. He enlisted in the military on August 6, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT