October 4, 1917 George Arrives at Camp Logan, Houston TX

 

Camp Logan, Tex 10/4 – ‘17

Dear Home Folks,

            Here we are at last after a hard trip lasting form 9:45 A.M.  Yesterday to 4:00 P.M today.  We rode out from Houston on Motor trucks.  We are quartered in tents here.  Seven of the ten engineers in the bunch are in Company C.  I’m one of the seven.  We have been quartered separately in tents with the old hands. I don’t know how much initiation we’ll undergo but everyone seems very cordial so far.   I am writing this in the Y.M.C.A here, and as a speech is going on it is hard to keep my thot’s working on this epistle. 

            This is the poorest equipped .M. I’ve struck yet, but its lots better than none.

            We are better equipped for clothes than most of the men who are here ahead of us.  The rules are not so strict here as at Jefferson Barracks.

            Well, I guess we will be kept busy from what they say here. I don’t know whether I can find my way back to my tent or not, so I guess I’d better close and start back. 

            I mailed a letter on the way down here.  Did you get it.

            Write me at:      Company C

                                    108^th U. S. Engineers

                                    Camp Logan

                                    Houston, TX 

                                                            With love to all

                                                                        George

                                   

Sept 30, 1917 -- George Reads Jack London's Tale of 2073 & Asks After Laundry Sent Home

Sunday

Jefferson Barracks, Sept 30, 1917

Dear Ones All:

            Have just been reading one of Jack London’s books in the Y.M. reading room.  It is called the “Scarlett Plague” and is a weird yarn about how a plague came over the world in 2073 killing all but 20 or 30 people, and reducing these remaining ones to lowest savagery.

            We had to straighten up barracks and lay out our clothes for inspection and then go up to parade grounds for sort of inspection this A.M.  But were all done by 9:00 so “Frenchy” and I went out by the river and lay in the sun for about 2½ hrs.  Then dinner, and as I said this P.M. I have been reading for the most part, tho I played a couple of checker games which I won.  Signed up for an army testament and read a couple of chapters in that, too.

            Suppose you have rec’d those clothes I sent home to be washed.

            About the wrist watch.  I sent a description of features I have noticed in various watches I have seen here, but fear you can’t afford to send me one, so beg of you not to pinch yourselves, as I guess I can afford to get one.  I wouldn’t have said anything about it only Susan asked.  But let me know what you decide to do, and also what my bank balance is now, as I need a watch badly.

            I rec’d a dandy letter from home again this P.M.  Am glad the hay was put in in good shape.  Is Jo-S home or in Richland Center now?  Haven’t heard from anyone except you folks & Herman [his sister Susan's fiancé].  Tell some of the friends to write.

                                                                        Love to all,

                                                                                    George