Aug. 19^(th), 1918.
Somewhere in Europe with “Amex Forces”

Dear Father and Sisters:-

Please pardon me again for not writting. But have been traveling and in
camp only a few days at a time.

Received my last mail from the States about ten days ago. Received four
letters from you dated: June 21^(st), July 15^(th), July 16^(th) and
July 18^(th). Also one from J.W.A. postmarked July 22^(nd) and mail from
your county seat, too.

Very proud to know you had father and mother’s picture enlarged and so
life like. Had often thought of doing it.

Please speak a kind work to P.T. Raine for me, very sorry to learn of
his poor health.

Many thanks for the Argosy clipping of the boys whom were called.

Yes, we get all the dope from the “Front” by wireless and can buy
Europian editions of the leading U.S. daily newspapers with all the war
news as well as the happenings in the U.S.A.

Thanks June, for caring for my ins. policies.

Well, I am still detached for O.M. duty, but, since we started on move
have been acting in some capacity as Uncle Will and I did in Colo. last
season. And have seen some very beautiful mountain scenery here in the
foot hills of the Alps, but Colo. is the most scenic to date for me.
Very hard for me to be seated long enough to write, when there is so
much to see. You spoke of the new system on sugar. I have never been
affected by it over here yet. Carried a big can of it on this trip.
Leave it to “Old Mike” and it is not such a hard war as you may think.
There has not been a minute since we left Camp in the States that I have
not enjoyed this wonderful experience.

In my travels from southern to northern and western France, I found it a
more progressive country the farther north I traveled and in central
part there were some land and fields much like those of Sumner Co. and
wheat was a big crop but oats only fair. Threshing machines I haven’t
seen a one, but saw many small farmers using the frail. Saw my first
tractors and binders as we passed thru the above mentioned district.

The French railroad systems are a joke to the “Yanks.” In first place
they are many years behind on modern railways, excepting Paris and near
the Front where they are using U.S. locomitives and cars. They still use
the hook and link coupler with out air expect on their most modern
system and many narrow gauge roads are in use yet. They blow a whistle
(the trainmen) instead of signaling by hands, the blast or call reminds
one of a hunter’s duck caller back in the States. Saw German prisoners
doing switchmen’s work in railroad yards. Believe me, it sure looks good
to see U.S.R.R. equipment over here.

Am now in a place where the Wacker [?] language is of great benefit to
me. Talk about your wooden shoe--, well I know all about ‘em know. What
I have seen to date will be enough to interest my grandchildren for
years to come.

It has often been stated that a sailor has a sweetheart in every port. I
know that these “Yanks” have at least one at every camp or stop if not
more. I got a lock of one’s hair yesterday and was after her two front
teeth but some Sam’ had beat me to them. A “Yank” here is at home where
ever he stops. No longer than this morning I sat in a French home
drinking French Coffée (menier) [?] with a fair brunette across the
table from me. “Well, this is the life.”