Relatively Speaking

September 1918

September 19, 1918

Dear Mother,

I was glad to hear from you. I have been busy lately and have not written as I should I am well and feel as if I will be lucky.

I only wish that I could tell you more about where I have been during the past couple of weeks. YOu would blame me for not writing more. I certainly thought enough about you when I was laying in a shell hole with the German shells throwing dirt and tones all over me…

I got a letter from Raymond, a few days ago. He seems quite  well satisfied. I think both of us will be more contented with home when we get back.

It is surprising just how little a person really needs. I hope George Dunlap was not badly wounded. 

Well, I will close with love.

Your son,

McKinley

 

Mortimer M. Austin

Private, Machine Gun Co.

11 US Inf.

APO 728

[Ok G F Dashiell, 1st St Inf, AEF.]

Sept. 22, 1918

Dear Aunt

I am writing to let you know I am well.

So far I have received all your letters. They did not come in rotation for I got your fourth, 3 days after your sixth.

I have not written as I should because we have been busy and when I get a while off, I like to rest. I should be ashamed of myself, I know.

I got the pictures all right. If you see Lena, tell her I got her letter and wrote once from over here. Her picture is not as good looking as she is but, I knew who it was.

I am glad to hear you are getting along so well on the farm. Next year I may be home to help, of course we can’t be sure. If it is possible to get the lard? castle place, do so .

When I come back, I will have a coupl of hundred dollars or more to help with.

I think that I will be lucky here. I have been so far.

Well, give my love to all,

Your nephew,

McKinley

Mortimer McK. Austin

Private machine gunner

11 US Inf AEF

OK—Geo T. Dashiell, 1st lt inf

 

 

September 28, 1918

Miss Lena HIll

(seems to have been censored by a Wm. J. Mc Veigh Chaplain)

Dear Lena,

Did you get the other letter I wrote? It was so long ago I forgot when. I got a letter from you that you wrote just after I left the states. I got your picture from my aunt. It was good, but you are much better looking than the picture.

Well, how is everything in Eldred now? I hope to be back there by this time next year or sooner.

It is now about 14 months since I enlisted in the army and I will be glad when the war is over. We are doing our best to get it over soon, too. The allies are winning everywhere now, and America is doing her share. I heard from my brother Raymond. He is in Panama now. He seems to like the army pretty well.

I guess I will clowe now. Write soon. Hoping you are well. I am.

Your friend, McKinley

M.M. Austin

Private, Machine Gun Co.

11 US Inf.

APO 728

 

October 1918

Eldred, NY, October 7, 1918

Dear McKinley,

I see by the papers that the soldiers are going to be allowed to have Christmas presents, and that the Christmas labels are being distributed to the soldiers. It will see so good to be allowed to send you a little something again.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the war ended before Christmas, but it isn’t likely that things will be settled enough so that many of the soldiers will get back much before spring

I got Robbie Croft’s picture a few days agoa dn am sending you some. The one in the field where the cattle are was taken across the road from the house. He was not quite near enough to the camera when I took it for you, to tell who it is, but the one near the silo looks just like him. I haven’t heard yet whether he has gone across, but he expected to go soon, when he was home.

Quite a number will be in the next draft from Eldred. I don’t know just who. I suppose Raymond Myers will be one of them. But there isn’t much possibility of any of them getting to France. Jim Parker, being on the railroad, will escape being called. 

We are having some beautiful weather, but I suppose the winter will soon set in now.

I had a letter from Mrs. Carlin last week. They were all well, but dreading the winter. 

I can stand the winter better than I can the hot weather.

Lon had a letter from Dr. Austin a few days ago. Miss Hall had been quite sick, but was getting better.

We are all well and hoping that you are. If there is anything special you want, let me know so that I can send it when I send your Christmas.

With love,

Aunt Aida

 

Eldred, October 12, 1918

My dear Mac,

Just a few lines while I have time. I see in the papers in order to send a package to the soldiers that the soldier one sends the package to must first get a  label and send it ot the one he expects to receive ia package form. I hope you have sent yours before this as they claim no packages will be accepted without the labels in it, if you don’t get a Christmas package, it will be because we have received no label.

The Spanish Influenza is sweeping the country here, even our school is closed for awhile. No cases being nearer than Shohola, as we know of. We often wonder how you are and if you have escaped it; You must be careful and it is a worry to know at times. You must be in places where you can not be careful. We have a joke on Dad coming home from Monticello. He met a soldier who had been wounded in France and for a month had been in the hospital of Otisville. He was on his way home and Dad fell in with him at Port Jervis and became so interested that he was carried on beyond Shohola. The conductor was kind enough to slow the train down and let him off at Lackawaxen. 

I am afraid my pencil is so dim by the time this reaches you, you will not be able to read it. But Elizabeth is learning to  write with pen and ink. It is impossible to find a decent pen in the house. 

Willie is still working at Procters. Dad expects to work for John Love as some as he gathers his garden. 

Well I must close as Dad is going to the office. It has been over a month since we heard from you, so we are looking for a letter every day.

Love from all, Mother

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