May 20, 1919 -- George Sees Glorious Sunrise & Nears New York; Hears from His Friend L C Mohr

George begins letter 200 miles from New York and then they arrive --

May 21st

I have been wondering what I stayed up for all of last nite, and laid it to the heat and closeness of our quarters, but after the beautiful dawn I have just witnessed, I am prone to believe it was due to Providence, for it was wonderful.  All night I sat around the office chewing the “fat” with various sailors on none too strenuous duty, or who had furnished their trick and were resting and cleaning up.  But at dawn I went out on deck and found the sea more calm than I had ever see it out this far. Like a great grey green carpet it stretched away to the horizon, barely undulating to the impulses of the ground swell.  The air equally still and cool, except for a fresh breeze caused by the ships steady motion.  Then the east began to glow with an ever deepening flush of red, the fleecy clouds visible here and there were tinged with silver, then gold, as the sun crept up over the horizon behind their screening folds. And at last the sun itself over the banks of clouds like a great red ball shone out, making a golden path across the shining surface of the water to the ship itself.  I tried to get a picture of it but as I had no light screen expect a failing with result. 

May 22^nd.

            About 200 miles out.  Will close this hastily and write from New York where we land tomorrow if all goes well.

                                                            Love to all

                                                                        George 

 

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1919-0520  L.C. Mohr to George S. Sherwood

May 20 1919

Dear George: -

                        Mighty glad to hear from you and I know you are either on God’s Country to-night or else on the way.  I am watching the papers and if I can find out when the 108^th will be in Chicago I’ll come over if possible to see the fellows.  I sure would like to see you all again.  Yes, indeed it is a great feeling to be back in avins again and I hope I can stay there for a while at least.  It does not seem that I have been in the U.S. three months already and that I have taught 9 weeks.

            I sure was sorry to learn of your accident.  It sure is tough to have gone through the war without a scratch and then have all those accidents befall you.  But such is life in the Army?  So Guilfoil is a Major now.  Do the fellows hate him as much as they used to?

            What do you intend doing?  Are you going back to college or are you going to work.  I suppose you will take a good vacation for a few days, weeks or months before you do anything at all.  Take a good one for you sure deserve it if anyone ever said.

            I was in Kalamazoo over the last weekend to the Normal teachment for High Schools and had a fine time.  It sure seems good to be back in civilization when you can see the things one likes, N’est pas?  I don’t know what I will do for next year.  I have the offer of a principalship at Mason and I also have a good offer here.  So I don’t know just what I will do.  I have almost decided to go to summer school this year either at the University of Chicago or Columbia.  Wish you could go along with me for I hate to go alone.  I had a nice letter from the Karns the other day and they speak often of you.  You sure made a hit with them George.  And here’s the joke.  The girl who was responsible for me meeting them wrote me just before I sailed for overseas that she did not care to hear from me anymore and I hear that she is engaged to a fellow at Hillsdale.  But we will have to give her credit for getting us acquainted with a real family in Houston N’est pas?  I would like to go down to Houston but I am afraid my pocket book would not stand the pressure.

            Well old Top, I hope you a feeling fine and I wish you all kinds of success in whatever you undertake.  Be sure to keep me posted  and if you get into Chicago anytime this spring, let me know and perhaps I can get over there.

                                                            Sincerely ,

                                                            L. C. Mohr

Enclose in the letter are several slips of papers with lots of names and addresses most likely people that the served with together

March 12, 1919 -- Echternach's Greatest Market Day of the Year; Receives letter from L C Mohr

Echternach, Luxembourg

March 12, 1919

Dear Home Folks:

            This is your anniversary, all of you. Susan and Herman have never celebrated before their own selves unless the cause of today’s celebration which took place last year can be called the first one.  And Daddy and Mother have celebrated many happy anniversaries yet I fancy this will be just a wee bit happier than most of the later ones have been because of the new celebration that makes the day mean more to them, as well as Sister and Brother.

            Oh, well, Echternach is celebrating the great day too, for today is the greatest Market Day of the whole year. The square is rapidly filling up with wagons and funny little carts filled with produce, calves, pigs, chickens, etc., etc.  They even have calves tied around to some of the store steps, door casings, etc., and their melodious? clamor at time is something immense.  Wish I had a film so I could get some pictures of it, but the scene is much the same as those pictures you have all seen of Europe’s inland Markets, so you can easily imagine it with the aid of the pictures of the Market Square I have sent from time to time.  You see our office is only about 3 doors up this street from where it ends in the square.  The streets of Echternach all converge toward that as a center so if you know the square you are never in any danger of getting lost.

            The ankle is getting along fine today.  I got a shoe on for the first time since the accident, so I feel quite cocky.  It bears my weight quite well if there is no side pressure or twist, but it is as sore as a boil to any pressure against the point of the bone on the outside and on up the ankle.  In fact, is hurting very much the same way as the other one was three years ago tho not quite as seriously.  But I’d give a lot to be back where Sister could massage it once in awhile.  She brot the other one out so well, the examination board at Jefferson Barracks refused to believe it had ever been cracked or strained at first.  But I haven’t the ability or patience to get much good out of what I am able to rub it.  However, guess it will come out all O.K. in the end. 

            This is a beautiful sunny spring day. How I wish for a car and my loved ones to enjoy a long trip thru this beautiful Luxembourg country of which we are really seeing so little.

            The cigar coupons enclosed are really money the kind we use over here.  And the stamps are French, taken from some old receipts, etc. in a French Chateau.

            Well, I’ll ring off and send this along now.

            Love again and again, and the very best returns of the day.

                                                Your loving Son & Brother

                                                            George Sherwood

                                                            108^th US Engineers

                                                            Amer. Exp Forces

PS.  Cinquanti Centines is ½ Franc or nearly 10 cents. 

Censored

Clyde L. Thompson

Captain, USA

1919-0313   L.C. Mohr To George S. Sherwood

Kalamazoo, Mich.  March 13 1919

Dear George, -
                                    Hello old man, and how are you by this time.  Suppose you are all ready to start for home, as I saw by the paper that the 33^rd would follow the 32^nd.  I left Angus, with 116^th Engrs, Jan 30^th and landed Hoboken Fe. 23^rd.  Was discharged Feb. 27^th and was a free man for a few days.  But to-day I signed a contract for the rest of the year, beginning Monday to teach a South Haven, where I taught when I entered the army.  I am getting very nearly twice as much as I received when I was there before and I also like the kids.  You perhaps remember the boxes they sent me when I was in Houston.  They had a big crowd down at the station to see me when I came in and escort me to the high school.  Then I had to make a speech and then we had a regular good time.  I visited classes with the fellows and raised the devil.  Now Monday, I have to start teaching and assume the dignity of the profession.

            Well George, how is old Co. C.? Is Giulfoil still with them?  I loaned Sgt Wm B. Moen of Co. B. 100 Francs when he passed thru Angus.  Do you know if he is still with the outfit?  I still have that blanket George, & would like to pay you for it.  It has been with me all of the time and I sure have appreciated your generosity in loaning it to me.  If you do not care to sell it, I’ll send it where ever you say.

            Well George, be sure to let me hear from you.  I wrote Miss Karn of Houston the other day.            Sincerely,

                        Mohr

            220 Erie St.

            South Haven, Mich