Somewhere
in France, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1918
My
dear mother,
I
will write a few lines to you and put it in my pocket as I don’t expect to get
it mailed until after we go over the top again, but if I am bumped maybe someone
will mail it for me. If we get back soon again I will write a little more and
mail it then. I am well. I have not received any mail from you for two weeks
and wonder how you are getting on. I hope to be home next fall; I am just as
anxious to get back to you as you are to have me, but we are all here for a
vital purpose and must do our very best. Things look pretty good now and I
believe Germany will soon be whipped.
It
was cloudy this a.m. and rained last night but is a beautiful p.m., makes me
think of an autumn day at home as I look at the dahlias and other garden
flowers. Winter does not start over here for some weeks yet.
The
roads back of the front along here are as crowded with traffic as Hennepin Ave.
Horses, wagons, auto trucks, guns, autos, motorcycles all going like sixty, no
speed limit. The air is full of planes all the time, sometimes as yesterday
p.m. could see 50 planes at once.
We
will move toward the front tonight. I must close now. Write often do.
Your
loving son, Pvt. Carl O. Potter.
P.S.
The writer was wounded in action by shell fire about Oct. 8th or 9th
to my knowledge not serious. W. H. Prather, 2nd Lieut. U.S.M.C.
P.S.S.
I am a friend of Carl and beside him at the front when he got wounded. He was
wounded in the stomach by a piece of high explosive. He will get all right
before long though I think.
Hobart
Blake
Last Updated: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter From Carl Potter, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918
Somewhere in France, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1918
My dear mother,
I will write a few lines to you and put it in my pocket as I don’t expect to get it mailed until after we go over the top again, but if I am bumped maybe someone will mail it for me. If we get back soon again I will write a little more and mail it then. I am well. I have not received any mail from you for two weeks and wonder how you are getting on. I hope to be home next fall; I am just as anxious to get back to you as you are to have me, but we are all here for a vital purpose and must do our very best. Things look pretty good now and I believe Germany will soon be whipped.
It was cloudy this a.m. and rained last night but is a beautiful p.m., makes me think of an autumn day at home as I look at the dahlias and other garden flowers. Winter does not start over here for some weeks yet.
The roads back of the front along here are as crowded with traffic as Hennepin Ave. Horses, wagons, auto trucks, guns, autos, motorcycles all going like sixty, no speed limit. The air is full of planes all the time, sometimes as yesterday p.m. could see 50 planes at once.
We will move toward the front tonight. I must close now. Write often do.
Your loving son, Pvt. Carl O. Potter.
P.S. The writer was wounded in action by shell fire about Oct. 8th or 9th to my knowledge not serious. W. H. Prather, 2nd Lieut. U.S.M.C.
P.S.S. I am a friend of Carl and beside him at the front when he got wounded. He was wounded in the stomach by a piece of high explosive. He will get all right before long though I think.
Hobart Blake
Share this:
Posted: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Albert Martinson, Renville County Journal, 11-15-1918
A Sailor’s Letter: Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 3, 1918
Dear Friend Emil:
Well how are you stacking up these cold days? How is the old party making it? Say in case it’s not too late send me a little dope on the candidates, etc. I wish I could cast a ballot myself this fall, but a few thousand miles make it quite hard.
Am sending you a little cartoon of myself in the form of a snap shot. Might find a place for it either in the attic, cellar or clothes closet. Kind of looking forward to a little furlough Christmas so in case I do, I sure want to get back to Minnesota and civilization again for a few days.
This sure is some course I am taking. Pretty darn stiff. Am now taking the dope from the High Seas and “over there” but of course our information to others is pretty limited. Have also taken several cruises in a sub and also a sub chaser. Quite a novel. Was up to Maine and down the Gulf. Was out about 300 miles in mid-ocean.
Well Emil greet what few friends I have there and slip me a line once in a while.
Your friend, Albert Martinson, Box 884, Co. 7., U. S. Naval Radio School. Cambridge, Mass.
Share this:
Last Updated: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Julius H. Jenson, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918
Julius H. Jenson was born Jan. 9, 1892, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Jenson. He was a graduate of the Franklin High School in 1910 and taught school a few years, one term being in Eddsville. He then assumed management of his father’s farm in the southwestern part of the town, where he resided until joining the army. He had the respect and friendship of all his neighbors and acquaintances, and took a very prominent part in all community affairs. He was a well-read man and of a very pleasant and congenial disposition. Being in sole charge of a farm Mr. Jensen was originally put in Class 3 but he felt that his country demanded more from him. Instead of trying to enlist in some safe and soft branch of the Service, he simply asked to be put in Class 1, A. He left Olivia with the July contingent, and after a short stay at Camp Wadsworth, was sent overseas. He became a victim of influenza, and death summoned him October 4th. Memorial services were held last Sunday in the Concordia Lutheran Church at Franklin.
Share this:
Posted: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Olaf Ytterboe, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918
Olaf Ytterboe was born in Palmyra, May 5, 1890. He was reared to manhood on his father’s farm and after completing the rural school took a course in Willmar Seminary. During the last few years, he spent part of the time in Montana, where he acquired a homestead. Last June he joined the army at the same time as his two brothers, Theodore and Antone. After a short training here, he went overseas and on October 8, came to his death on the field of Honor in France. Olaf was an honest industrious, Christian young man, highly respected by all who knew him.
The families of the deceased have the sympathy of the whole community.
Share this:
Posted: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Died at Training Camp, Renville Star Farmer, 11-14-1918
Odeon Swieven Passed Away October 25th in Georgia
It is said and being so sudden, is doubly distressing to the family and friends when a young life is snatched from us. Odeon Sweiven, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Sweiven of the township of Sacred Heart answered the call of his country for men and left with the contingent that went to Camp Forrest, Georgia on Oct 25th. He left in his usual health but had been there but a few days when he was taken ill with pneumonia and passed away Nov. 6, 1918 in the 29th year of his age. He was born on the home farm and was raised there. He has a brother Harry Swieven who is now at the front in France. The remains were returned home and the funeral was held Monday afternoon, Rev. Henry Nobbs officiating. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved in this their great sorrow.
Share this:
Categories