Iowa Old Press

The Alden Times
Alden, Hardin Co. Iowa
Thursday, January 31, 1918

A SOLDIER WRITES FROM OLD ENGLAND
Mrs. D.E. Snider receives Interesting Letter from Son who is with Aviation Corps

Mrs. D. E. Snider recently received a letter from her son, Lewis, who is now with Uncle Sam's forces in Europe. Below we publish a portion of the letter:

January 1, 1918
Dear Folks: Happy New Year to you all. It seems good to be on solid ground again. Keith and I are still together. We sat for a long time Christmas Eve talking over old times. We never thought a year ago last night when we rang the bells that we would spend this winter quite so far from home. But I feel as safe here as any place, and I feel as though God was very near and heard our prayers, for already we have had some experiences that I would like to tell you about but it's impossible, for if this letter should fall into wrong hands a few words pertaining to military doings might mean the loss of thousands of my comrades.

The people here have a queer accent and everything is strange. Can you imagine that there is seven hours difference in time between here and there; it is just 7 p.m. here now and 12, noon, there.

They have small trains that run very fast. The cars are short, on high steel wheels, and partitioned off in sections holding about seven in each section. The freight cars are about the size of those in the stone crushers at home. The money is different. One pence here is two cents in our money. A hair cut and shave costs six pence, twelve cents in our money. Quite cheap, don't you think?

I have not seen much snow, only little patches here and there. It thaws in the afternoon. Even small streams are not frozen over ________ seems as cold ____ in the states. _____ day, the 3rd Keith wan___ Winchester, a short distance from camp and left a message to be sent to you. January 5--Just a few words to let you know that we were here. Winchester is quite a pretty town, old stone building overgrown with ivy, and high walls of brick and inlaid stone. There are lots of hedges and holly trees growing here. The holly tree grows to be about 15 feet high.

We went thru a tabernacle while there. It is an immense stone and cement structure. It had a very large pipe organ. The foundation was laid in 1400, and a bench carved up with names and dates. One name was dated 1100. There is a nice Y.M.C.A. here. It has a piano, victrola, books, newspapers, writing material and a sort of a restaurant.

I don't believe I told you about hearing Teddy Roosevelt and the singer, Julian Morrow. She was dressed in a Red Cross outfit. Say "hello" for me to everybody, and for K.C.W. We will be "there" in new home by the time you get this. I would like to see the good old home paper now, and hope it will soon follow. Keep the little flag up, I often think of it. I hope you are all well. Write soon, love to all--Lewis J. Snider.

[Transcriber postscript: Private Lewis John Snider was killed in France November 8, 1918]

--

A son was born the 20th inst. to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lane.

Mrs. Adam Smith died this morning at her home in Oakland and funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:30. Obituary next week.

A leading activity among Methodist people last week consisted in skirmishing the down-river timber country with axes in search of fuel.

A new boy has been making his home with Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Wakefield at the Popejoy homestead northwest of Alden since Sunday, Jan. 12.

The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs Binger of Popejoy died last week and the funeral was held at Charles City. Friends of the Family have extend sympathy.

[transcribed by L.B., July 2009]

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