Hi List, The following letters were written by Emory Parr, who was stationed in France during WWI. His letters are rather lengthy but very interesting. If anyone has details about Emory will you please post to the list?' Thanks, Carla Miles The Butler Herald Thursday, October 17, 1918 Page One Mr. Emory F. Parr Writes Interesting Letters From France American Expeditionary Forces Q.M. Corps Detachment, U.S.A. P.O. Box 708, Nevers, France Sunday morning, August 4, 1918 My Dear Mother: The first thing I do this morning will be to write to you and father - to start the day off well. I hope you are both feeling fine and that everything at home is all right. We are having some fine weather to sleep, but last night I did not sleep (word blurred) very usually do - but I don't think I will have any trouble tonight. Mother, I went to a picture show last night at the Y.M.C.A. building and saw five reels of splendid pictures, the first I have seen, with the exception of one French picture since I left Georgia. There were quite a good many soldier boys present and we all had a good time. One of the pictures was very funny and everyone had a good laugh. The Y.M.C.A. workers are doing their bit toward keeping the boys in good spirit and are succeeding wonderfully well, because everyone you see is always ready to smile or say something that will tend to make a fellow feel good. You have never seen a better looking bunch of boys: all strong and tanned. They are indeed, a fit lot and the Kaiser will soon learn that he stirred up a "hornet's nest" when he forced the United States to war by his inhuman treatment of innocent neutrals. Indeed, even now, he is beginning to "see things" and he isn't dreaming either; but I am inclined to think that before many weeks have passed, it will be like Sam Jones' ghost story - "he hasn't seen anything to compare with what he's going to see!" Mr. Lawson says that he is planning to be a regular farmer when he gets back to Georgia and I have about decided that there will be two farmers, for I think I will do likewise. Don't you think it would be very nice if I could be there on the farm and have everything moving along nicely? I will be there sometime soon, and we are going to have a good time together. When you fry a nice fat chicken just think of me, you know how I like chicken. I am sorry that it is necessary to limit the amount of sugar, flour, etc., in American now, but, in reality, Mother it is a good thing for America. People over there had been living entirely too fast and having everything their way. Now, they will be forced to realize that there is something else to life, other than a good time and satisfying their selfish wants - not needs. We, as a nation had begun to grow selfish, perhaps superficially, but it was there and if long continued would have had a bad effect. But now, it is wonderful how our people, individually and collectively, have responded to the call of Democracy and are offering everything they have to aid in crushing the common enemy. We soldiers know what it means to be an American - under the Stars and Stripes. The people on this side of the Atlantic (with the exception of the Hun, of course) look upon the American almost as a super-man and America as next to paradise itself; and Mother, they aren't far wrong. Our allies, too, are wonderful people and this we know. How is the crop? We have had some fine rains here and everything is looking prosperous; trust the drought has broken there and that the corn and cotton will be as good as usual. I think Earnest is a pretty good worker and hope it will not be necessary for him to go to the war and leave you, Father and aunt Matt there alone. Write often to me and tell me all the news from around home. I am thinking of you and Father and will keep in close touch with you. Lots of love from Your baby, Emory ----------------------------------- Wednesday, August 7, 1918 My dear Mother, How is my mother tonight? I trust that you and Father are both well. I am as well as usual and everything with me is alright. I am tired tonight and how I can sleep when it is time to retire. We are working hard to "clean out the Kaiser" and are having pretty good success so far. The majority of the boys are out playing ball this evening and are having a fine time yelling and laughing. When they get off from duty, they are just like children playing. You should see them play, and see them on duty. They are a wonderful lot. Mother you know the Government has a rest camp in the Alps mountains and every soldier is entitled to a vacation at the expense of the Government. I am going pretty soon and stay seven days. It is a wonderful trip in the French Alps and the scenery is magnificent, so the boys say. Will write when I go, but expect to go in September - not before. Write to me often and always be sure that I love you dearly. Good night. Your baby, Emory ------------------------------------- Sunday morning, Aug. 11, 1918 My dear Mother, Good morning to you all! How are my Mother and Father this morning? I am feeling fine and everything is alright. We have a beautiful Sunday morning; pretty clear-blue sky, just cool enough to make one feel good and fit for work. I enjoyed the clippings you sent me from the Butler Herald, and was agreeably surprised to see the names of so many boys from Taylor County lined up in the "Liberty Army" against the enemy. It's fine, Mother to see them line up and I am proud that I am one of them and that I am over here. It will do the boys good too; teach them discipline, obedience and give them the power of concentration and all of these combined will make of them better men and more valuable citizens after they return to their homes. So, you see, there's truth in the almost unbelievable statement that "There is good in everything" and that "everything is for the best" as we frequently say. We should get mail from the States this morning and if so I am hoping that there will be at least two or three letters from you to me. It has been practically two weeks since I have heard from you. But, do you know Mother that if it were possible for me to return to you and home this morning, the time spent over here would seem short then. Time is passing very quickly with me (because I am busy, I presume) and I feel that before very long we will be together again. Is Father well now and does he have any trouble in walking about the place? I hope he will never be so he can't walk about and live, part of the time at least, in the open, because he loves that life so much. I am sure he will be all right if you can manage to keep him out of the hot sun; let him exercise early in the morning and late in the afternoon. And, you must be very careful about your health. There is danger of you having another attack of fever if you aren't very careful this summer. How are Earnest and Aunt Matt? By this time he should know about what crop he is going to have and I am anxious to learn if everything is doing well on the farm. In your next letter, please tell me all about the crops; ask Earnest about it and give me the news. Earnest might write me a short letter too, if he can find the time and tell me how he is getting along and what the crop prospect is. I will write a letter to Earnest and Aunt Matt just as soon as I have time. Tell me also, if he will be called to the army before he can get his crop gathered. I believe that they should let him remain there, under the circumstances, to take care of you and father, because I am not able to be there. Keep up with the news from the front Mother, and you will see something good. Mr. Lawson is well and is looking fine this morning; I have just left him. So far as I can see there is absolutely no change in him, in any respect. He sends his best regards. Let me know about the increase allotment; whether it has reached you or not. By this time, though, you should have it. Be sure that is dates back to include pay for the month of May. Love, lots of it from, Your baby, Emory ---------------------------------------- Sunday, August 18, 1918 My dear Mother: Last night was indeed, one of the most beautiful nights I have ever seen; unusually clear, blue sky, studded with a million stars and the moon shining so softly, yet so brightly down upon the world. I walked out one of the roads leading from this place, a distance of about three miles, and enjoyed myself very much. I wonder if you, too, were looking at this moon and thinking of me, because I sent you a message along to America by moonlight, telling you that I was all right and sending love. You know, Mother dear, that the world is a very small place, after all, and we are always close, even if we can't be together. We have only to close our eyes and dream, as it were, of the ones who are near and dear to us, and to remember that only a few short months more and we will be together again; it won't be long. And then you know, the boys who return to their homes will have a richer, fuller life for having shared the burdens of our neighbors across the sea - the needy. In a struggle of such magnitude as this, and for such a priceless gift - liberty - a man is very fortunate if allowed to come over and share, even in a small way, in the movement that is slowly but surely restoring that heritage to the world. It seems slow to you dear Mothers back in America who lie awake at night and wonder and pray, and to the boys who are here who are fighting, working and praying, but then, you know - "the mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine." And too, Mother, you know the inevitable rule is that the harder the task and greater the effort, the sweeter the reward. The news is getting better every day and I know the Censor will not mind if I say that we, the Allies - are having our way about some things and will continue to have our way until it is over. By the way, I saw from one of the clippings you sent me that Earnest has been called to camp. I hope they will allow him to remain with you, father and Aunt Matt until spring again, at least, because you need him during my absence. Write me all about it in your next letter. Will you please continue to send me clippings from time to time from the Butler Herald. I enjoy having them for it keeps me in touch with how things are going at home. Tell Father for me that I am enjoying splendid health, get an abundance of good, wholesome food, have a good place to sleep and that everything is all right. I hope that he will continue to gain in strength and that the hot weather will not affect him. I am happy too, to know that you are well and will try to stay well. Be careful, Mother, especially during this summer and do not overwork yourself, because you haven't the reserve of energy and strength you once had. Tell Mabel that I received her letter yesterday and will write to her within the next day or two. I haven't gotten Julia's letter, but suppose it will come to hand in the next mail. It is just time to go to church - eight o'clock - and the bells are ringing for all they are worth. I would go to church, but then you know I can't understand French sermons very well yet and it would not do me very much good. Perhaps before very long I will be able to speak and understand more French. From today's paper I see that the price of October cotton is slightly higher than thirty cents per pound. That sounds good to me, and I hope it will stay there; or get better along about the time to market the crop. How is the cotton at home this year? I sent you a letter Wednesday from one of the big cities in France, where I went on business for a couple of days, and hope it will reach you all right. It was a beautiful place and the change did me good, for I had been at this station since my arrival in France last year. Pretty soon I am going to try to get a leave of absence for seven or eight days in order to go to the American Rest Camp at Aix-les-Bains, in the Alps Mountains. A great many of the boys have been and they say the scenery is beautiful. Write to me often and give me the news from home. I am thinking of you daily and remember you both in my prayers. Love from Your baby, Emory