April 15, 1918 - Father and Son Reunion

Hotel Bender from Wikipedia.  By Acmegraph Co. - The University of Houston Digital Library: http://digital.lib.uh.edu, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18895351

 

Hotel Bender

Houston, Tex

April 15 –‘18

Dear Susan, Herman and Mother,

            Here we are again. It sure takes you folks to spring the surprises on a fellow.  Came up town last evening, staid till about 10 then went back to camp, got in just 10:30 (taps).  Went to bed and was just sleeping nicely when in comes cook Bill Kaufman with a telegram on a sheet of paper, saying that Dad was up at Hotel Bender.  Well, it was 11:00 PM then so I rolled over and got to sleep again after about half an hour. Got up at reveille this morning, beat it over to Major Roth’s right after roll call, explained matters a little, and he said he would see what he could do after mess. 

            So I got out the horses, cleaned them and the stalls, while mess progressed, and went back to see the Major. He gave me a few errands to do and told me to beat it for all day, so here I am. Got up here at 8:30 AM but Dad was out to breakfast, so I left a note and went out to have my shoes shined. When I returned the boss was waiting for me. I sure was glad to see him, tho there is nothing we can do about the check at present, as it has not showed up yet. It almost looks as tho that would always be an unexplained mystery.  Anyway, as long as we are still here, and I am able to get some time off, we should worry about that.  Not much!  I’m enjoying every minute, too bad we aren’t all together but guess we will have to save that pleasure till I return from “Over There” At least I hope soon to be “There.”  We went out to the turning basin this PM.  Had a dandy walk and talk. Lunch of

Dad

Veal with dressing

Mashed potatoes

Strawberry short cake

Coffee

 

Me

Chicken & poached egg

Mashed potato

S B shortcake

Supper (or dinner) consisted of Roast Beef, Peas, Mash potatoes, and SB Shortcake each.

Don’t that make your mouth water?  It ought to if it don’t. 

            Well, I never intended this check fracas to worry you folks as much as it seems it has, but even tho Dad can’t do any direct good in clearing up the matter, it is really worth a lot to me to see him. More in fact than I would have dreamed of had he not come.  And I think the trip will do him good too.  Was very sorry to hear of Grandma Atwater’s death, but it certainly was fine that Dora and Mother got up to see her when they did.

            Well, I’ll close now and let Dad write a line.  Love to you all.

                                                George

 Dear folks

            I sure am sorry I forgot to write last night but after I got a message off to George I seem to lost track that it was still my move and went to bed.  George seems to have covered all of the ground so forgive my delinquency.
                                                            Love to all
                                                            W. R. Sherwood

 

February 22,1918 - Mr. O'Brian and Mr. Foley Entertain the Troops

Camp Logan, Feb. 22, 1918

Dear Home Folks:
            Here we are at the Y.M.C.A.  Time 8:10 P.M.  I’ve just enjoyed one of the best evenings I’ve put in in this camp.  After supper I felt blue and tired out, and as is usual this time of month, the financial embarrassments made it rather inadvisable to go up town.  So I finally decided to come over here and write to Jo & you folks.  I blew a nickel for a peanut bar on the way over, then wrote to Jo, and was just about half asleep and finishing her letter when Mr. O’Brian (ex-Vaudeville singer) came on the Y.M. platform and started his part of the program with “A Long, Long Trail[1].”  I presume you have heard it.  It is a very pretty piece and just touches a responsive chord in a fellow’s makeup when he is away from all those back home.  Well, he brought down the house with his rendition of that, and followed with some appropriate pieces.  Then Mr. Foley (humorist and reader) came on and gave us just a dandy program of readings with just the right touch of human pathos linked with his sketches.  He is certainly good.  So I’m awake now, feel rested and farewell to the blues. 
            The weather we’ve been having makes one a little bit indigo.  Grey skies, wind, rain, mist, raw cold or muggy warm.  And today was Washington’s birthday and a holiday, but of course Major Roth drew field officer of the day again last nite, so I spent the day in the saddle, with a couple of panses to feed, clean horse & equipment, etc with a rush so as to be ready for next trip.
            We both heaved a sigh of relief when he was relieved at 5 P.M. and we rode back from Div. Headquarters. Riding on a nice day, when you can go where you please and stop when you want can’t be beat for sport, but in large doses, with hurry and worry sandwiched in between whiles it loses its charm to a large extent.  However, everything went fairly well, I flatter myself. 
            I suppose in another week and a half you will see Dora and Margaret at least.  You can’t know how I’d like to be with you all, but as yet I can’t see my way clear to come.  As long as I don’t get bounced off this job it is a step in advance of washing dishes anyway, and it might lead to a chance at some other line later if I am relieved of this, tho there is no assurance of that.  We are quite sure to be here till the middle of April, but while we will be here long after that I fear, there is dope afloat that the 108^th may move any time after that -- in advance of the rest of the 33^rd Division. Please Providence that we may go at that time or soon after if possible.

            Well, now I’ll ring off and hike back to bed, I guess.

                                    Love and love and love again to my home folks,

                                                Your loving son & brother,     George

---

[1] There's A Long, Long Trail is a popular song of World War I. The lyrics were by Stoddard King (1889-1933) and the music by Alonzo "Zo" Elliot, both seniors at Yale.^[  It was published in London in 1914, but a December, 1913 copyright for the music is claimed by Zo Elliott.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There's_A_Long_Long_Trail_A-Winding .  Recording at:  http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/John%20McCormack%20-%20There's%20A%20Long,%20Long%20Trail%20A-Winding.mp3