TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT APRIL 10, 1919 P. E
Niedermendig, Germany,
March 14, 1919
Dear Papa, Mama and Brother:
I will answer your last letter. Sure am glad to hear from you every few days. How are you all this morning?
I am feeling fine. Done stood inspection, and passed everything. I have failed to pass only one inspection since I have been in the army, and that was when I was on the hike to this place. We hiked thirty days and only stopped to rest one Sunday. Then we had an inspection, and I had not done a thing about cleaning up my rifle, so I was turned down in it. I don't think I will be turned down again.
This sure is a pretty day. I am sitting in my room writing. The sun is shining in on me and it is almost like summer time. I am having a pretty nice time, but of course I had rather be at home with you all. But it won't be long until I will be there--thre or four months it not long. I have been at this place three months the 17th of March, but it don't seem more than three weeks. That is the way time is passing with me.
Say, Papa, you are changing things around so much at home I won't know the place. That change in the pasture is fine. I was studying the other day about that narrow lane. I knew you would have trouble with it.
My Captain has just come in to inspect my room. That never gives me any trouble, for it is always good. The lady I am staying with keeps it in good shape. My Pard. and I are very careful to put everything to the right place when we come in, and keep our shoes clean. I shine my shoes every day and brush them every time I come in, so we keep pretty clean. So I think I will still be a pretty nice boy when I get home if Mama will come around and inspect once in awhile and get a stick after me.
I stopped my letter awhile and am just back from dinner. I reckon I ate too much, for my belt is too tight. I have not written much this wek, but will put in good time this afternoon.
Am sure glad the mail service has gotten better. I get my mail fine now. Had a letter from sister while I was at dinner. It was written February 19. I had previously received one from you written February 21, and one from Allie written the 20th. It was dandy. She sent me some pictures--one of herself and Willie's baby and Beatirce. The baby sure is good looking, and Allie said it was the sweetest thing, and just like its Aunty.
And so John Newell is going to get married, and John Barton and Bob Staggs. I beielieve by the time I get in they will all be married. That's all right with me, but when I return I am going to stay with Mama awhile. And Uncle Warren and Mr. Martin have gone into business. I sure believe they will make good.
I hope you are well of the whooping-cough. I am well all the time.
Guess I have written enough for this time, so will close. Will write again soon.
Love to all.
PVT. ODIE O. WEST,
Co. D., 35, Infantry, A.E.F. A.P.O. 740
NOTES: Odie Ottis West was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. M. West of Gum Log, Arkansas. He was born on February 14, 1894 at Gum Log and died on June 20, 1977. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC serving in the US Army during WWI. He is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in Central Valley, Arkansas. He departed from Brooklyn, NW on September 30, 1918 onboard the Ulysses. He was listed as a Private serving in the Camp Pike September Automatic Replacement Draft, Co. # 17 Infantry. He returned from Brest, France departing on August 11, 1919 onboard the Matsonia. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on August 20, 1919. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. D, 38th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Niedermendig, Germany,
March 14, 1919
Dear Papa, Mama and Brother:
I will answer your last letter. Sure am glad to hear from you every few days. How are you all this morning?
I am feeling fine. Done stood inspection, and passed everything. I have failed to pass only one inspection since I have been in the army, and that was when I was on the hike to this place. We hiked thirty days and only stopped to rest one Sunday. Then we had an inspection, and I had not done a thing about cleaning up my rifle, so I was turned down in it. I don't think I will be turned down again.
This sure is a pretty day. I am sitting in my room writing. The sun is shining in on me and it is almost like summer time. I am having a pretty nice time, but of course I had rather be at home with you all. But it won't be long until I will be there--thre or four months it not long. I have been at this place three months the 17th of March, but it don't seem more than three weeks. That is the way time is passing with me.
Say, Papa, you are changing things around so much at home I won't know the place. That change in the pasture is fine. I was studying the other day about that narrow lane. I knew you would have trouble with it.
My Captain has just come in to inspect my room. That never gives me any trouble, for it is always good. The lady I am staying with keeps it in good shape. My Pard. and I are very careful to put everything to the right place when we come in, and keep our shoes clean. I shine my shoes every day and brush them every time I come in, so we keep pretty clean. So I think I will still be a pretty nice boy when I get home if Mama will come around and inspect once in awhile and get a stick after me.
I stopped my letter awhile and am just back from dinner. I reckon I ate too much, for my belt is too tight. I have not written much this wek, but will put in good time this afternoon.
Am sure glad the mail service has gotten better. I get my mail fine now. Had a letter from sister while I was at dinner. It was written February 19. I had previously received one from you written February 21, and one from Allie written the 20th. It was dandy. She sent me some pictures--one of herself and Willie's baby and Beatirce. The baby sure is good looking, and Allie said it was the sweetest thing, and just like its Aunty.
And so John Newell is going to get married, and John Barton and Bob Staggs. I beielieve by the time I get in they will all be married. That's all right with me, but when I return I am going to stay with Mama awhile. And Uncle Warren and Mr. Martin have gone into business. I sure believe they will make good.
I hope you are well of the whooping-cough. I am well all the time.
Guess I have written enough for this time, so will close. Will write again soon.
Love to all.
PVT. ODIE O. WEST,
Co. D., 35, Infantry, A.E.F. A.P.O. 740
NOTES: Odie Ottis West was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. M. West of Gum Log, Arkansas. He was born on February 14, 1894 at Gum Log and died on June 20, 1977. His military headstone identifies him as a PFC serving in the US Army during WWI. He is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in Central Valley, Arkansas. He departed from Brooklyn, NW on September 30, 1918 onboard the Ulysses. He was listed as a Private serving in the Camp Pike September Automatic Replacement Draft, Co. # 17 Infantry. He returned from Brest, France departing on August 11, 1919 onboard the Matsonia. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on August 20, 1919. He was listed as a Private serving in Co. D, 38th Infantry.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD