March 30, 1918 - Spending Time at the Rifle Range

The date of this letter is unknown and it was likely earlier than this, but since George had recently written about the possibility of having to go to the rifle range, thought that this would be a good place to add it in and in particularly  before they left Texas for "Somewhere in France."  I likely used this photo before, but since it is so appropriate for this letter here it is again.  I enjoy his style of writing!

  Rifle Range Camp, Tues eve

Houston, Texas

Dear Home Folks:

            Imagine a dirty white tent without a floor, set on a plain, under starry Texas sky, in rows with several hundred other tents.  Across the railroad track and road imagine these long grim, silent trenches with large banks of raw sand thrown up in front of them thirty feet high.

            Now peep inside this dirty white tent and imagine a dirty white boy sitting on a dirty white cot, writing on a dirty white sheet of paper laid upon the back of a mess kit.  Beside him is a flaring dirty white candle which sheds a dirty yellow light.  Have you caught the picture?  If not, put a little sand between your teeth and grit them to enhance the reality of the scene. 

            Yes, that object on the cot is yours truly.  I don’t need to mention that the dirty sheet of paper is this letter do I?

            Sunday we got up at 5 AM and marched out here, starting at 7:-- and arriving at 9:30.  Spent the rest of the forenoon getting settled.  Had an early dinner and started shooting at 12:30.  It surely didn’t seem much like Sunday by the time we got thru.  I shot the first course, 35 rounds and got 133 out of a possible 175.  A score of 105 was required to qualify, so I got by easy.  But in course 2 yesterday  morning I fell down, getting only 5 out of 15 shots a the head targets.  9 were required so suppose I will have to fire it again some time.  Think I can do better, but I had an extra poor-colored target and it didn’t show clear up, so with my slightly bum eyesight I was badly impaired on the last two ranges. Yesterday afternoon and this forenoon I scored on the firing line for Target 117.  We have been shooting with bayonets fixed this time.  The guns sure look formidable when they are all equipped with bayonet and sling.  But I guess it is good policy to get us used to the looks and hang of them as soon as possible or some of us might get cold feet in action.  The new gun I have now does not kick much, and shoots very well, for which I am properly thankful.  The slings help about holding the guns too.  So my shoulder isn’t sore at all.

            We expect to go back to camp tomorrow.  I packed this paper out here on my back so you ought to appreciate this letter, if it is dirty and scribbled with the stump of a pencil.

            This has been an awful day.  About 11:00 the wind came up and blew a regular Texas Gale.  For awhile the dust and sand was so thick that one could scarce see over a couple of hundred feet, and the mess dishes filled up with sand so fast that one couldn’t eat what he did get.  Then if you tried to wash your dishes they got coated with dust just black before one could dry them.  I was lucky enough to buy a pie and bottle of milk which of course were protected till I got into the tent.  It sure tasted good.  

            Well, my pencil is worn down, the paper is giving out and it is nearly taps, so I will close with a lot of love.  May God bless my dear folks.

                                                                        George

March 21, 1918 - Missed Opportunity and Trip to Galveston

Herman and Susan (Sherwood) Weber

 

DeGeorge Hotel

Houston, Texas

March 21, 1918

9:25 AM

Dear Folks at home,

            George expected to get a couple of days off and thought he would get today and tomorrow so we got up fairly early, got our breakfasts and were ready for him about eight o’clock as he said we might look for him any time after that but he hasn’t come yet.

            Yesterday his regiment had a special drill and review by their general which we might have seen if we had known as much as we do now but George himself did not know just where they would have it and I did not understand what he said about the time so by the time we did finally get a “line on things” that part of it was over and they told us there was nothing else worth going out to see in the afternoon though George said last night that there was some of the ordinary work which we might have seen.  I suppose that if I had not been half sick with this cold and digestive disturbance that I might have gotten up earlier in the morning and we would have found out about   things in time enough to see part of it at least or we might have seen the “windup” if we had followed Herman’s suggestion and gone out to Camp about eleven but being one of those people who always want to know before I “leap” I thought best to find out where it was to be before we started out because if we went to Camp and it wasn’t there we would have practically no chance of getting out to the “remount” (where it was held).  Well, I suppose there is no use crying over “spilled milk” or lost opportunities but it surely was a great disappointment to George and to use that we were not there. If George had been able to find out just what they would do so as to tell us just what to do it would  have been all right but he could not find out until so late that he did not have time to phone, and being very inexperienced ourselves in a strange place we were slow in finding out things. 

            I can’t imagine what is keeping George so long this morning unless he could not get anyone to ride for him and had to go himself. He had planned a trip to Galveston today or tomorrow and then out to Camp Saturday or Sunday.  I told him that when he was off duty that he was to take us where he wanted and do with us as he pleased. Oh, it surely has been fine just to see him even if we did miss seeing him in his work.

            Here he is, couldn’t get off sooner.  We must hurry and catch the next interurban to Galveston if possible.

            Will tell you more in our next or when we get home, most likely the latter as I am not much good at letter writing.

            Oh so much much love to you each and an extra kiss for Margaret. 

Your loving Susan and Herman and George.   

March 20, 1918 - Herman Writes a Postcard to the Parents

 

Houston Texas  March 20, 1918

Dear folks how are you gitting along be sure you have a letter at DesPlaines whe we git there and tell us  Susan is feeling better today George cant be with us today they having a drill there today and he dident know if they would allow us out there  he was going to phone and let us know but he dident so I don’t think that they allow any body

Love to you Herman & Susan

 

March 19, 1918 - Susan and Herman Honeymoon in Texas

The newly married visitors to George in Camp Logan, TX.  Herman, right, and Susan, center, Weber.
No indication of who the other person in the photo is.

 

De George Hotel

Fourth Floor

(Room 409)

Houston, Texas

March 19, 1918

12:05 noon

Dear Father, Mother, Sister and Niece,
            Herman, George and I are sitting in Room 409 of the De George Hotel, rates $12.50 a week for room and bath, and as we have taken the room for a week it is probable that we will not leave here until next Monday.  Herman and George will be wanting some lunch in a few minutes so I must make this short.
            Arrived here Sunday night at 6:10 PM on the Sunshine Special[1], but as I had been unable to send a telegram to let George know just when we would be here, he was not at the station to meet us (though 20 minutes after we left he was there looking to see if we had come in on that train, but he thought it came later). We sent a telegram out to Camp Logan saying we were in town and giving name of hotel, got lunch and went to bed after having a warm bath each. 
            Intended to write a line yesterday but we talked so much and then went scouting for a hotel where we could get rates for a week (George persuaded Herman that he must stay at least a week). Most of the hotels are not making rates as I suppose there are so many visitors now that the soldiers are here that they can “hold up” almost anyone for the straight price.  George recommended this as it is quiet, lower priced than most of the better class because it is a little ways out of the way of the ordinary transient, but of course George had been asking around among others who had relatives come down to see them.                            

            FOR MOTHER:   (George says that he is all out of Dr. Kay's pills for constipation and would like some sent as soon as possible.) All well except for a slight indisposition on my part due to overeating and lack of elimination but didn’t eat any supper last night and had Herman get some apples and oranges for breakfast this morning and now everything is going O.K. again and George is making plans for a very pleasant week which I expect to enjoy to the limit.  [End of “For Mother” section]

            The weather here is like June but still it is not really hot yet.  What kind of weather have you up there?  Don’t suppose that a letter to us here would get here before we left so write to Des Plains and send any mail on there until next Tuesday.
            The boys are getting hungry so must say good bye for now and will try to write more after this, but we are “on the go” so much that we hardly get time to breathe.

                        Love and prayers from us to all.  Susan Weber

Dear Folks:  You see now it’s reversed. I’ll have to utilize the corner on Susan’s letter.  Got yours written the 14^th yesterday and brot it down here for them to read last nite.  Guess they had a lot of fun and got off pretty slick from what they say.  They sure seem to be having a happy time, and I know I am while they are here but I don’t care to think of when they go.  Wish I could see you all too.    Lots of love,           George

---

[1] The Sunshine Special was inaugurated by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad (Missouri Pacific Railroad) on December 5, 1915, to provide a premium level of passenger train service between St. Louis, Little Rock, and destinations in Texas.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Special

March 18, 1918 - Sherwoods Write to their Children In Texas

Spring Brook Farm in the winter and after the 1910-12 renovations which added rooms on the west end of the house both up and downstairs and also the upstairs deck and the wrap around porch.  The renovations had been done so that Ella Jane's parents could  live with them, but both had since passed away.  Now the newlywed Susan and Herman would be sharing the renovated home with Will and Ella Jane . 

The home was divided in half with French doors giving some privacy for each family.

.

Monday evening, Mar 18, 1918

At Spring Brook Farm

Dear Children All.

            I hope as I write that you are all together somewhere in Texas, all having such a good time.  Margaret has been extremely cute today.  Daddy did chores and played with her some and Dora and I did the Washing.  Tomorrow will iron and go to Red Cross.  Wednesday Daddy has a load of wood in the wagon ready to take it to Glendale.  [Looks as though letter changed dates here.] Tuesday morning is clear and windy but lots of snow and ice in sight yet.  Sunday we went to Glendale and drove through a lake this side of Rawbergers and then along the Hiss side streets barn. Saturday we visited at Struts.  I am telling some over that I wrote before in case you missed my letter.  Tuesday PM we had Auntie and the girls [Nellie Thompson and Dura and May.  Nellie was Ella Jane's maternal aunt,] come home with Daddy for the day as Dora wished them to be here a day. She said she had a very good visit with them. I found the registry receipt and the no. is 286.   A letter came saying they were about to start for TEXAS.  How I hope you are all having much time together. 

           Right here Margaret wanted my pencil then the ink came out and I have coaxed her to hold the package containing sox and helmet and as it is going to Uncle George she is saying “Oh nice Gusdie to Uncle Dorge” and putting a lot of smacks on it for you.  She has helped write to you too, you see on here. [Little kids scribble]
            We are all getting ready to go to Kendall where we expected to see many at Red Cross that Dora knew and go to Mrs. Robertsons for supper but Lew Moore’s son came down with measles Monday PM and is there so we can not do that.   Alma is taking care of him.
            I hear the team coming so a hasty loving goodbye to each. 
                                                            Mother and ALL 

At the  P.O. Kendall just came from Mr. Butters.  He is just able to walk out on the street a little ways.  Has been ill all winter.  Hardening of Arteries.  Dora and Margaret holding a reception at the Farmer’s and Merchants Bank

            Now I must go and help so again goodbye.  

Daddy is here looking over my shoulder and sending love and best wishes too all.  

                                                E. S.
George S. Sherwood, Headquarters Company, 108^th US Engineers, Camp Logan, Houston, Texas                                                                       

March 16 & 17, 1918 - Honeymoon Travelers to Texas

  

 I had no picture for this entry, just the two parts of one letter written while my grandparents went to visit their brother before he left for war. I knew we had a few train schedules, so planned to just add a general photo of a train schedule.  Imagine my delight when I discovered that the newly married Susan kept the train information and time table publication from this trip.  I am so delighted that she was so diligent at keeping al this correspondence between family and friends.  Note that the publication date on this train schedule is 3-1-18 so that date and the destination indicate that this was the honeymoon journey   These are the front and back covers as the publication and it is folded over, probably for ease of placing in a pocket.

As the folded schedule is opened, the traveler could see the name of this particular route - the Sunshine Special.  In the lower left corner is the edition 3-1-18. 

Somewhere in Illinois

March 16, 1918

12:25 P.M 

Dear Folks at Home:

            Have just finished diner and thought I would write you a few lines just for fun and I know you will want to hear from us. 
            We left the Union Station at Chicago at 10:10 A. M and have not made a stop since until just now after I finished the heading and salutation when they stopped at Pontiac.
            It is beginning to look like spring here, there is green grass in the yards and parks there and I see some fresh plowing now.
            This is supposed to be the fastest train from Chicago to Houston. As I said, we left at 10:15 this forenoon and are scheduled to reach St. Louis at 6 o’clock this evening. At St. Louis we change from the Chicago & Alton to another road, one leaving at 6:25 and if we heard correctly due at Texas 24 hours later though possibly it is 36 hours later instead of 24 hrs.
            There are quite a few soldiers, and a sailor or two, on the train.  The girl at the information bureau at the Union Station said that this was the train that the soldiers took to go back to Texas as it was a fast through train.

Somewhere in Texas

March 17, 1918

 Dear Folks,
            I notice that I said this was the train that most of the soldier took to go back to Texas so will just remark that though the personnel (don’t remember the exact spelling) changes little from time to time that we have between 20 and 30 soldiers in this car, most of the way and I don’t know how many there are on the train but as it is a very long train indeed would not be surprised if there were nearly a hundred on this train though it is possible of course that most of them are in the one car, as I suppose they would get together as much as possible.

            Reached St. Louis about 6 o’clock last night and left at 6:25.  We are supposed to reach Houston at 6:10 tonight according to the folder though “information” said 5 o’clock.  Will have to change trains at Palestine at 1:00 today but that is the only change expcept the one at St. Louis.

            It is nearly impossible to write so guess I will address an envelope and not try to write more until we reach Houston.

            Goodbye dear hearts.  Oh so much love to you all from us both. Have you sent George anything yet?

                                                                        Love and love and love from
                                                                                    Mr. & Mrs. Herman Weber

 

If there was any question before, the notations at the top of this next scan show grandmother's writing making notes on the top -- probably considering some extra travels with George in the area.

 

The map below is also taken from the train schedule publication.  They picked up the Missouri Pacific Line in St. Louis and continued south and west until they reached Palestine where they again changed trains for Houston. For ease in orienting this map, start at Galveston at the  nearly center bottom and follow the crescent backwards from Galveston through Houston to Palestine and then north east to St. Louis

 

 



March 14, 1918 - Registered Letter Dogs Honeymooners on Their Way to Visit George

 

Susan and Herman had just gotten married two days before and were now on their way to visit George at Camp Logan as they knew he would be deploying sometime soon.  This time the busyness of the wedding had apparently gotten in the way of putting that stop payment on the missing check.  Apparently Susan and Herman had creatively avoided some wedding hazing while sneaking out of town to visit George. "K" below references their town of Kendall, Wisconsin.

Mar. 14^th,    1918

Dear Daughter and Son,

            This is all that has arrived so far.  I am writing most “special” haste to ask Susan where the registry receipt is for the letter that contained check to Geo as he wrote we should stop payment at Bank immediately but not take steps to trace. I would send you the letter but must keep it for reference as to what he says.  Would copy but have received word that the carrier did start out which we did not think they would do as there has been a very heavy sleet storm followed by considerable fall of snow and has just stopped storming since 9:30 o’clock this a.m.  So I want this to be sure and go to you.  I can’t remember where you said that receipt was. Maurice [?] Orrin R came on yesterday morning and got storm, staid all night but has gone now.  Some of the neighbors tried several times to find if Herman was here almost as soon as your father went to K--, Tuesday PM. But Dora when anyone asked for him would say, “No he is not in just now, shall I tell him to call you up when he does come” or “Shall I give him your message” and they could not give any message only hung up so she kept stringing them along until along after the 4:00 went. One man called twice the last time after 5:00 and asked at least “Is he at the barn” so she had to say no, “He went out this P.M.” (that is how they speak in town you see) and the man said, “Oh” in such a funny tone, she laughed right out.  Then the phone was busy for awhile but we could not get much as they talked German.  This morning Nellie congratulated us on the phone then said, “I would like to pin a rose on them for the clever way they got away.”

                                                Now love to each,

                                                            Mother and all 

Do tell me where that Registry Receipt is,

                                    Lovingly,

                                                Mother

---

March 9, 1918 - Instructions for Stop Payment for Registered Mail

Camp Logan 3-9 – ‘18

Dear One’s All:

            Only three more days now before the great event.  I suppose Dora arrived long since. And by the time this arrives the wedding will be over, so here is to Mr.& Mrs. Herman Weber. Am I to see them down here?  I hope so.

            Now for the registered letter. It didn’t come, so yesterday I went up to Regimental Post Office and found that letter 286 came in from Kendall on march 1^st and was signed for by Howard Quiring, who brot over our mail that nite.  Now if No. 286 is the letter with the check in it, it arrived in this camp O.K. and was lost either by Quiring as he brot the mail over, or was mislaid in the Top’s tent before I got it.  Anyway, if that is the No. of that letter, stop payment on the check at once and let the matter drop, as I don’t think either of the men who handled it would intentionally hold it out, or use it. If there was any news in the letter, please repeat it.  But be sure to stop payment on that check at once so in case any unscrupulous party got hold of it you won’t have to pay it, and it can be traced back in that case.  I have had everything quieted at this end until I hear from you at least, and if 286 is the letter in question, and the check don’t turn up for payment, nothing more will be done.  So let me know as soon as possible.  And if you can see your way to come down this way on your honey-moon, telegraph me a couple of days ahead please.  Well, as usual tomorrow is Sunday so the Major has to be picked for Field Officer and I get soaked too.  Maybe literally as well as figuratively speaking. It is sure sultry here to-day. And another inspection and inventory in progress.  I wonder if we really will move in 60 days or so.  Love to all.

                                                            George Sherwood

 

March 6, 1918 -- George Becomes a First Class Private and Additional Duties

Camp Logan, March 6 – ‘18

Dear Ones All:

            Got yours of the second today.  Was sure glad to hear from you.  But right here let me ask what has become of the registered letter you said you were sending with the check in case I could come home.  I got that letter four days ago saying you had sent it but it has not showed up, so be sure you keep the receipt.  I am so disappointed to hear that you are afraid you can’t come down here.  Is daddy failing a lot this winter?  Because I might have made an extra hard fight for it and got a furlough home, had you not seemed fairly sure you could get away.  And it didn’t seem best to me to try to make it, both from my standpoint and yours. I expect if you do come (and please do if you possibly can I want to see you both so much), you will probably hit here the 18^th or thereabout. Things are rather disturbed around here, rumors of moving, etc., so I don’t want to promise to be in this camp after Apr. 1^st.  And let me know at once if you are coming and when you can arrive, so I can try and get a line on descent hotel accommodations.  I asked the Major if we might be at the rifle range the 18^th or thereabout but he didn’t know for sure so when I explained he promised to get someone in my place if you were here while we were there.

            Now, dear ones, it may seem to you that this is mostly to Herman and Susan but I’m thinking of you all, and wondering if my sense of best and duty led me astray when I decided not to make a special plea for the furlough.  But it seemed to me that the Major just had me broken in on this *3-7-18 job, and it would be rather out of place, if not entirely disastrous to ask him to take on another green man while I went on a furlough anyway.  Right where the star is I was interrupted so didn’t get a chance to finish this till now which is nearly a whole day later. 

            But no registered letter is here yet and I got your regular letter of the 2^nd last nite, so I guess you better put the postal authorities on it if you don’t hear that I’ve received it a couple of days after you get this.

            I went to the corral at 3:35 yesterday to clean the horses, as they were hot and I let them roll when I brought them in in the morning from riding. I got the Major’s cleaned off pretty well by 3:55 and was just starting on Mid when presto, orders (have the horses saddled at tent at 4:00 P.M.).  I tore up to my tent, got my saddle and the bridles, put them (the bridles) on the horses, then Fairchild rode the Major’s up to the tent bareback,, I slammed the brush over Mid, saddled him, washed my hands and put on my shirt, rode up to the tent in double time and found the Major struggling with the saddle.  The pad wasn’t on quite rite (being wrong end to) so I said nothing except that it was wrinkled, ripped off the saddle, reversed the pad while the Major was in his tent getting Red a lump of sugar, resaddled him, and we rode onto the field at 4:15.  And I flatter myself both horses looked pretty well, tho there was a regular cloud of sand and dust down in the hair next [to] Mid’s hide.  Maybe that don’t sound very speedy from the side lines, but it took some speed for a hot day if I’m any judge.

            Well, next months allotment should be $16 plus any the Gov’t might give, as got raise of $3.00 March 1^st and they want ½ allotted.

            The Major was instrumental in getting me raised to a 1^st class private, as that is the ranking of most of the regular mounted orderlies.  I didn’t ask him for it, but he volunteered to see my Co. commander so I was glad to get the extra pay and slightly higher position.

            Now I must close this and get to work again.  Please come down this way if possible sister and my new brother.

            With love to all and an extra kiss to Margaret.

                                                                                    George

March 2, 1918 - George Explains Absence from Wedding

 

Camp Logan, 3-2-‘18

 Dear Home Folks:

            This includes Dora and Margaret and Guy if he is there.  At least I hope by the time this reaches you that they will be there.  This Eve I received your letter of the 26^th saying you were sending $45 in case I could come. I’m afraid when I get it it will have to come back as I really don’t see my way clear to come at this time.
            Skinny has come back, but is expecting a Sergeantcy in this or some other Co & does not want his job back he says.  Who can blame him?  And I think the Major is resigned to it for he has taken me on as tent orderly as well as mounted.  It’s a job I don’t like (make his bunk, sweep, shine shoes, etc.) but most of the mounted orderlies do both jobs so I couldn’t very well refuse. He said try it for a month anyway, so it looks as tho I wouldn’t get “bounced” for that long anyway.  Of course the tent work means $5.00 per month extra direct from the Major so that will help some to atone for the dirty work.  But you see if I take a furlough that is all broken up.  If I had been on three or four months and had the work regular, I would feel justified in asking for the furlough and put on a substitute, but it would be too much to ask him to break in another man when he just got me working harmoniously.
            Of course, it really isn’t much of a job in a way, but it beats corral and kitchen detail a good deal and is pleasanter even tho one is “only a buck private.”  So I guess I better stick and hope that eventually it will lead to something better still.  Did you get my letter about the allotment?  You never said anything specifically about it, so I wonder if you go the letter telling you I had made it and what I wanted done with the money.  It should come inside of the next 15 days and I would like to have Susan and Herman bring down the $10 or $15 when they come if you get it by then.  Just whatever you can spare.  As I said before, always use what you need and send me the rest while in the U.S.  After that bank the surplus over what U use if there happens to be any.  If it don’t come by the time they leave for here, let me know as soon as it does come, so I can be sure you get it all O.K.  I wonder if your secret has leaked sister, for Jo said in this evenings letter she had head some good news, but wouldn’t tell what it was till she was sure it was true.  She said if it was true I probably knew it by now anyway.
            To think, only ten more days and I’ll have to address my letters to “Mrs. Herman Weber.”  Guess Smith’s aren’t sure where they will move yet but my, won’t the valley be dead without them there.
            Well, I’m getting sleepy so guess I’ll draw this to a close and send a program of Thurs Eve’s entertainment.

                                                            Love to you all

                                                                        George

March 1, 1918 - Division Inspection Signals Deployment Nearing

 

 

3-1-18 Camp Logan Texas

Dear Ones All:  Can’t find time to write a letter tonite but will try to get time & news enough to pay tomorrow or Sunday.  Yesterday had Div. inspection and inventory.  Checked everything issued and such personal things as towels, wearing apparel, shaving & toilet articles etc.  Hope it is a sign we will move presently, but am not very sanguine.  Not before April 1^st anyway the way it looks now.  Today Maj. Roth was field officer again.  But only had horses out twice as his two long trips we made in a car.  Started doing his tent work as well as well as riding this morning.  So I’ll be busier than ever.  Expect Dora will soon be on her way home.  Give her and Margaret a great big hug for me.  Was invited up to a musical by the Houston women’s Choral club last nite by Mr & Mrs Karn.  It was fine.  Will try tosend you a program.

Love to all. George