TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT JUNE 12, 1919 P. 1
Military P. O., Newport News, Virginia, May 30, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Nail, Lowell, Ark.
Kind Friends:
I read today, in the Little Gazette, a list of soldiers from Benton county, who had given their lives during the great war and in the list was the name of your son, Andrew; and as one of his many friends and comrades, I wish to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolence, in your sad bereavement.
And tho it is hard, very hard to give him up, still you have the consciousness of knowing that he fought the brave fight, and died nobly, for humanity's sake, and for the sake of a better world.
Andrew and myself were comrades in the same company at Camp Pike and also at Camp Beauregard, and we were in the same squad for several months; and as a soldier, there were none better, and as a man he was held in high esteem by the entire company.
Andrew has made the supreme sacrifice, and tho it is sad indeed for his people and friends, still there is a bright, glorious part to be considered, and which should assuage greatly the grief of your mourning hearts; he's in Divine keeping of the God of Battles, the God of Peace, and all is well with his soul.
I realize that these few and feeble words of condolence are but a poor expression of the regard with which Andrew was held by his many friends, but pray accept them in the spirit in which they are written--the spirit of true comradeship and friendship for your boy.
Sorrowfully yours,
(Corp.) Homer F. Wells,
Whom you formerly knew as the Watkins man.
NOTES: This letter was written by Homer Franklin Wells to the parents of Andrew Nail who had died. Additional mention of his death can be found in File 39-Daria Harriston and File 191-Bruce McGarrah. Wells was born in Russellville, Arkansas on June18, 1888 and died on May 1, 1953 in Kansas. He is buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas Cpl. QMC serving in World War I. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on May 23, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Military P. O., Newport News, Virginia, May 30, 1919
Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Nail, Lowell, Ark.
Kind Friends:
I read today, in the Little Gazette, a list of soldiers from Benton county, who had given their lives during the great war and in the list was the name of your son, Andrew; and as one of his many friends and comrades, I wish to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolence, in your sad bereavement.
And tho it is hard, very hard to give him up, still you have the consciousness of knowing that he fought the brave fight, and died nobly, for humanity's sake, and for the sake of a better world.
Andrew and myself were comrades in the same company at Camp Pike and also at Camp Beauregard, and we were in the same squad for several months; and as a soldier, there were none better, and as a man he was held in high esteem by the entire company.
Andrew has made the supreme sacrifice, and tho it is sad indeed for his people and friends, still there is a bright, glorious part to be considered, and which should assuage greatly the grief of your mourning hearts; he's in Divine keeping of the God of Battles, the God of Peace, and all is well with his soul.
I realize that these few and feeble words of condolence are but a poor expression of the regard with which Andrew was held by his many friends, but pray accept them in the spirit in which they are written--the spirit of true comradeship and friendship for your boy.
Sorrowfully yours,
(Corp.) Homer F. Wells,
Whom you formerly knew as the Watkins man.
NOTES: This letter was written by Homer Franklin Wells to the parents of Andrew Nail who had died. Additional mention of his death can be found in File 39-Daria Harriston and File 191-Bruce McGarrah. Wells was born in Russellville, Arkansas on June18, 1888 and died on May 1, 1953 in Kansas. He is buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Arkansas Cpl. QMC serving in World War I. He enlisted on September 18, 1917 and was discharged on May 23, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD