William H. Arlt May 5, 1894 (5) – February 2, 1962
A
Voice From France: An interesting Letter From William H. Arlt
Somewhere in
France, Nov. 24, 1918
Dear parents:
Today is Sunday
and no work, so I will write a few lines. It has been trying to rain and snow
all day. We are stopped in some billets southwest of St. Mihiel, near the town
of Rupt. Talk about seeing France I sure have seen my share. We unloaded in
Harve and went from there to the Belgium border, near Abbuville, on the Amiens
front and from there clear across the country to Tham, close to the Swiss
border on the Alsace front. From there to the Vosges, then to the Metz in
reserve, then to the Argonne drive where the 35th Division sure made
a name for itself. From there we went to the Verdun front and when the
armistice was signed were on our way to Austria. So you see I have been around
some.
Verdun is sure
a shot up place as there is not one whole building left there. It is sad to see
the people returning to their homes. Some lost everything they had. It is nice
to be able to travel in day time now without being all “camouflaged.” I have
had several close calls since I have been in service. Had horses shot down
while leading them and had one team killed on the wagon I was driving, when the
Drive was going on in Argonne Forest.
Sherman sure
told the truth when he said war was Hell. It’s all over now so we may be home
sometime in the near future but don’t know when.
My knee is O.K. now, I have not had the elastic bandage on for a month. It sure was some sore baby for some time, but I consider myself lucky as I have been where there was no partiality shown to anyone. We were treated fine.
Well I guess I
will close for this time, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year, I remain as ever,
Reuben Arthur Pfettscher January 5, 1890 – November 11, 1918
Dear Cousin and
Folks:
I must drop you
a few lines to let you know I am up and around once again, which is sure a
great treat after being laid up so long. I got the Spanish Influenza with a
number of others of our company when we struck France and just left the
hospital Friday and think I will be alright in about a week.
We came thru
considerable of France when we arrived at the place where we were billeted and
are now located where all the famous French wines are made with vine yards all
around us. Practically nothing else is grown here as a product for commercial
purposes but grapes, as you know France has long been noted for her exports of
wines and champagnes where are sure made in plenty here. Water is very poor
here so the boys drink lots of wine.
We had a rainy
spell the first few days last week but otherwise we had very nice weather. It
gets quite cool and damp thru the night, but the days are usually warm and
sunny. They have still young radishes and lettuce in the gardens so you can see
it does not get very cold here thru the winter months.
We bunk in
French stone houses in a small burg of which there seem to be plenty empty.
Most of the company has been transferred while I was sick so there are not many
of my company left here.
I suppose Uncle
Charley received the short letter our supply Sergeant wrote for me while I was
in the hospital. The company sent him down to write a few lines for us in the
hospital and sent our Christmas package card with same. Say Laura I wish you
would sent me some of that candy like you sent me at Grant as candy is
impossible to get here at least we haven’t been able to get any since we arrived.
Well Laura it
looks not as if the Yanks with the Allies will soon have the Kaiser cleaned up
and it will sure be great when we get home again as a short time over hear will
sure convince one there is no country like the good old U.S.A. Will write you all
soon again. With love and best wishes to you all.
Your Cousin, Reuben
A Pfettscher, Co. I. 342nd Inf., A.E.F.
The citizenship
of Herman Schmechel, state senator-elect from Renville county, and Bernard
Loonan, senator-elect from Stearns county, may be questioned in contests before
the Senate committee on elections, it is reported yesterday.
Schmechel and
Loonan are both said to have been born in Germany, and the question will be
whether they have acquired full citizenship.
The records of
the courts where they took out citizenship papers, if they acquired such paper,
will decide the issue. – Pioneer Press.
Herman Schmechel was naturalized in the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District on the 15th day of October 1890, according to the records. The two people who acted as witnesses for him were Herman Kiecker and John Fahey. One John Schmechel became naturalized at the same time.
Editor’s Note: We have a large collection of World War I items donated by the Schmechel family for the service of Ewald & Paul Schmechel.
That the
soldiers, sailors and marines are deeply appreciative of the canteen service of
the American Red Cross is given ample evidence many times every day. The
keynote of their appreciation is perhaps best expressed on the post cards which
they send to the “folks back home” when en route to points on embarkation. From
a dozen picked up at random the following sentiments were taken and “speak for
themselves.”
“Red Cross are sure treating us great en route.” “Red Cross are sure making it happy for us.” “Support Red Cross in everything.” “For God’s sake never say ‘No’ to the Red Cross, They’re wonderful.” “Long live the Red Cross.” “The Red Cross are angels to us the way they treat us.” “Canteen service 100 per cent in Toledo; fifteen carloads of us well taken care of.” “Red Cross serving coffee, Oh, they do so much for us!” “Do all you can for Red Cross – they do so much for us.”
Regarding those
hair raising experiences you might imagine I’m having so near the Hindenburg
Line – to date there hasn’t been any to speak of, though I’ve been across with
the A.E.F. for nearly two months. We are within twelve miles of the trenches
and can hear the guns boom, also, witnesses several air-craft battles. We go up
closer to the front in our work, but this sector is now quiet compared to some
others.
Contrary to
what I thought, it’s not half bad in France. Subtract about had the
“schrecklichkeit” and it’s just about as war correspondents have fed into us
for 44 months, even if you have been a noncom and “busted twice.” That’s been
my experience, but I’m willing to smile and be happy as the old devil. The
anticipation is much worse that the realization, as usual.
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from William H Arlt, Bird Island Union, 12-26-1918
May 5, 1894 (5) – February 2, 1962
A Voice From France: An interesting Letter From William H. Arlt
Somewhere in France, Nov. 24, 1918
Dear parents:
Today is Sunday and no work, so I will write a few lines. It has been trying to rain and snow all day. We are stopped in some billets southwest of St. Mihiel, near the town of Rupt. Talk about seeing France I sure have seen my share. We unloaded in Harve and went from there to the Belgium border, near Abbuville, on the Amiens front and from there clear across the country to Tham, close to the Swiss border on the Alsace front. From there to the Vosges, then to the Metz in reserve, then to the Argonne drive where the 35th Division sure made a name for itself. From there we went to the Verdun front and when the armistice was signed were on our way to Austria. So you see I have been around some.
Verdun is sure a shot up place as there is not one whole building left there. It is sad to see the people returning to their homes. Some lost everything they had. It is nice to be able to travel in day time now without being all “camouflaged.” I have had several close calls since I have been in service. Had horses shot down while leading them and had one team killed on the wagon I was driving, when the Drive was going on in Argonne Forest.
Sherman sure told the truth when he said war was Hell. It’s all over now so we may be home sometime in the near future but don’t know when.
My knee is O.K. now, I have not had the elastic bandage on for a month. It sure was some sore baby for some time, but I consider myself lucky as I have been where there was no partiality shown to anyone. We were treated fine.
Well I guess I will close for this time, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I remain as ever,
Your loving son, William H. Arlt
[N1]
Share this:
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Reuben Arthur Pfettscher, Olivia Times, 12-12-1918
Somewhere in France, October 20, 1918
January 5, 1890 – November 11, 1918
Dear Cousin and Folks:
I must drop you a few lines to let you know I am up and around once again, which is sure a great treat after being laid up so long. I got the Spanish Influenza with a number of others of our company when we struck France and just left the hospital Friday and think I will be alright in about a week.
We came thru considerable of France when we arrived at the place where we were billeted and are now located where all the famous French wines are made with vine yards all around us. Practically nothing else is grown here as a product for commercial purposes but grapes, as you know France has long been noted for her exports of wines and champagnes where are sure made in plenty here. Water is very poor here so the boys drink lots of wine.
We had a rainy spell the first few days last week but otherwise we had very nice weather. It gets quite cool and damp thru the night, but the days are usually warm and sunny. They have still young radishes and lettuce in the gardens so you can see it does not get very cold here thru the winter months.
We bunk in French stone houses in a small burg of which there seem to be plenty empty. Most of the company has been transferred while I was sick so there are not many of my company left here.
I suppose Uncle Charley received the short letter our supply Sergeant wrote for me while I was in the hospital. The company sent him down to write a few lines for us in the hospital and sent our Christmas package card with same. Say Laura I wish you would sent me some of that candy like you sent me at Grant as candy is impossible to get here at least we haven’t been able to get any since we arrived.
Well Laura it looks not as if the Yanks with the Allies will soon have the Kaiser cleaned up and it will sure be great when we get home again as a short time over hear will sure convince one there is no country like the good old U.S.A. Will write you all soon again. With love and best wishes to you all.
Your Cousin, Reuben A Pfettscher, Co. I. 342nd Inf., A.E.F.
Share this:
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Citizenship Questioned, Fairfax Standard, 12-12-1918
The citizenship of Herman Schmechel, state senator-elect from Renville county, and Bernard Loonan, senator-elect from Stearns county, may be questioned in contests before the Senate committee on elections, it is reported yesterday.
Schmechel and Loonan are both said to have been born in Germany, and the question will be whether they have acquired full citizenship.
The records of the courts where they took out citizenship papers, if they acquired such paper, will decide the issue. – Pioneer Press.
Herman Schmechel was naturalized in the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District on the 15th day of October 1890, according to the records. The two people who acted as witnesses for him were Herman Kiecker and John Fahey. One John Schmechel became naturalized at the same time.
Editor’s Note: We have a large collection of World War I items donated by the Schmechel family for the service of Ewald & Paul Schmechel.
Share this:
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Ask the Soldiers, Fairfax Standard, 12-12-1918
That the soldiers, sailors and marines are deeply appreciative of the canteen service of the American Red Cross is given ample evidence many times every day. The keynote of their appreciation is perhaps best expressed on the post cards which they send to the “folks back home” when en route to points on embarkation. From a dozen picked up at random the following sentiments were taken and “speak for themselves.”
“Red Cross are sure treating us great en route.”
“Red Cross are sure making it happy for us.”
“Support Red Cross in everything.”
“For God’s sake never say ‘No’ to the Red Cross, They’re wonderful.”
“Long live the Red Cross.”
“The Red Cross are angels to us the way they treat us.”
“Canteen service 100 per cent in Toledo; fifteen carloads of us well taken care of.”
“Red Cross serving coffee, Oh, they do so much for us!”
“Do all you can for Red Cross – they do so much for us.”
Share this:
Posted: February 22, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Albert L Fischer, Bird Island Union, 12-19-1918
October 30, 1892 – August 17, 1939
Oct. 28 1918
The Bird Island Union, Bird Island, Minn., U.S.A.
Dear Sirs:
Regarding those hair raising experiences you might imagine I’m having so near the Hindenburg Line – to date there hasn’t been any to speak of, though I’ve been across with the A.E.F. for nearly two months. We are within twelve miles of the trenches and can hear the guns boom, also, witnesses several air-craft battles. We go up closer to the front in our work, but this sector is now quiet compared to some others.
Contrary to what I thought, it’s not half bad in France. Subtract about had the “schrecklichkeit” and it’s just about as war correspondents have fed into us for 44 months, even if you have been a noncom and “busted twice.” That’s been my experience, but I’m willing to smile and be happy as the old devil. The anticipation is much worse that the realization, as usual.
Sincerely, Pvt. Albert L. Fischer
Share this:
Categories