News: Clarence Sponey, Evans, 1905-1910

SPONEY, EVANS

Posted By: Stephen D. Williams (email)
Date: 6/29/2005 at 20:28:33

The Iowa Citizen
Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa
Wednesday, 9 August 1905
Page 5 of 8, Column 3

CLARENCE SPONEY
HURLED OFF HORSE
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Shoulder Blade and Two Ribs Broken--
Doing Nicely at Present Time
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Word from the Citizen's correspondent at Oasis is to the effect that Clarence Sponey, a nephew of Thomas Evans, was seriously injured last Sunday afternoon by being thrown from a horse. He sustanied [sic] a broken shoulder blade and two ribs were also broken. The attending physician reports the boy resting quite comfortably.

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Iowa City Citizen
Johnson County, Iowa
Wednesday, 12 March 1919
Page 3, Column 1-2

Letters from Our Soldiers

The following letter from France is from Clarence H. Sponey, a nephew of Mrs. Minnie Evans who resides near Iowa City.

February 6, 1919
My Dear Aunt:-

Your letter of November 27 received last night. It was old but was so pleased to get it I could hardly wait until I opened it and so glad to hear you were all well and didn't have the flu. I received one from Nellie last evening also. It was dated December 23. That is the second one I received from her. She says she has written so often but we boys over here don't get one third of our mail. I don't know why I was beginning to be worried about you folks over there when I didn't get any mail but I feel better now since I received the letters last night.
The flu has all been stamped out over here now but it was very bad when I landed. It was heart breaking to see some of those boys who were sick on the boat. They begged for relief but nothing could be done. I helped wait on them in the sick ward and I never took ill or wasn't even a bit sea sick while crossing and we were on the water fourteen long days and nights. We were in danger every minute then too for the German submarines were so bad at that time. We had to sleep with our life belts on or else under our head so when the alarm was sounded that the ship was torpedoed we could find it and rush to the deck. We went way around by the way of Spain and up through the Bay of Biscay to miss the submarine zone. But we can come home in safety when we come now and that God for it. I wish we could start home soon but I don't know when our turn will come. I hope it is soon as we have all seen a great plenty of Europe. I sure am glad I have had the experience but I wouldn't give a buffalo nickel to see and go through what I have to see it again as I have seen some things I had to look twice to even believe.
I would love to tell you so many things but I can't do it. you know they are so particular about what write [sic], but I will tell you all when I get back.
The Christmas box you sent me never came but don't worry about it. It may come yet but I hardly think it will.
You asked about the sox. We have plenty of them over here. They issue them whenever we need them.
We have some good times over here. I have laughed sometimes until I could hardly get my breath. I have thousands of friends. You know I can make freinds [sic] anywhere. I weigh 165 pounds. Am fatter than I ever was and am a better man than when i came to the army. Well I will close and write later if I don't come home soon.

With love to all.
Pvt[?] CLARENCE H. SPONEY
5th Machine Gun Co. Replacement.
A. E. F.