Letter, 31 January 1919
Item
Title
Letter, 31 January 1919
Subject
Description
Clara to Corporal Louis J. Discher, Co. F, 120 Infantry, 30 Division, American Expeditionary Forces.
Creator
Source
Manuscript Collection, The Filson Historical Society
Date
Format
Language
Identifier
Mss. C D
Text
Letter addressed to Corporal Louis J. Discher, Co. F, 120 Infantry, 30 Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Letter was redirected to several other army units before being stamped “Return to Writer.”
Letter No. 60
Fri. P.M. Jan 31/19
Dear Louis:
How glad I was to get the telephone message a few minutes ago that the letter had arrived, written Jan 5th. [I]t was so disappointing to hear every day no letter from Louis. Of course we knew one was on the way after hearing you had received your box. I just wonder what you were hoping would be in it, and when it did come if you were disappointed. I am glad you mentioned each article because we know it arrived as it was sent. The tin lining was a good idea, because the Gocke's were telling Cecelia at the club that Robert's box had come back home all mashed up. They were so angry that they did not try to locate him instead of returning it to this side.
Now, Louis you have lots to be thankful for, as you have always received your mail and very many boys over there have not had one line from home. Olivia Borse said that Will Wagner had never gotten any of his mail. It is a shame that you had to spend your Christmas week in such discomfort and pray tell me what on earth should you boys go to the rifle range for when you expect to get out of the army in a short while. [S]ome say the higher officers want to hold on to their jobs. That of course is only talk. Capt. Geher said the other day that when a whole div is together like the 30th they always continue to drill and practice, so as to keep the men in condition.
Won't home and a bed look good to you? I hope and pray that you will keep your health and get home safely. I still have Aunt Lou to burn a candle for you every day at the Mother of Perpetual Help altar and you see the people all over the world are praying for the soldiers during February in the Apostleship of Prayer.
I just came back from the bank. [Y]ou will be surprised when you get to 2nd & Market and see the Liberty Ins. Bank. [T]hey now have a safety vault. Uncle Frank had me to get a box to keep all of our valuable papers in as we now have a good many to take care of.
Mrs. Jos Sass was in this afternoon. [S]he inquired about you. I think I told you that Lee Michael has come home. Bernard Schieman and Robert Bosse expect to get out of camp soon.
Wednesday night we are all at home except Willie. [L]ast night Cecelia and Mary F. went to camp. I refused. The Traub's aunt received a pass and the bunch went on that one. Eleanor Gambert was out with a crowd and Angela Huber came over from the hospital for a while. Willie was sore he had planned to go to the gymnasium for the first time last night and I spoiled it all. Cecelia came in with the machine yesterday afternoon. She parked it here and we went down on Fourth St to shop. She then went to the dentist and called up here at 5 o'clock to ask if she should get the machine or if we would come home in it. I told her to leave it. Then I told Uncle Frank to finish up and ride over with us. [W]e did not get home until nearly seven. Willie had intended coming in on the 7:10, so you know. After supper he went down in the garage and changed all the tires on the machine, put on our last new one that you laid in for us. They have had one on with a big piece out of it and Cecelia has been very dubious about that tire. I still feel very nervous when riding with her and it makes her so angry, but I can not help it.
Mr. Henry Zimmer was in the store yesterday. [H]e asked about you, and said he saw Albert Kaelin at the shop in the morning. I am anxious to see how he looks. Joe Kurzendorfer was in this afternoon. [H]e was a sight, his face all in a bandage with holes in it for his eyes. Aunt Maggie has gone out to our lotto at St Francis this afternoon. I do not think I will go tonight because I have too many papers to read. Johnnie Beirne is not here today. [H]is folks said he had such pains in his back he could not get up this morning.
Hoping this letter finds you ready to leave for home, I am
Your loving sister
Clara
Send a telegram to us when you reach Charleston.
Letter No. 60
Fri. P.M. Jan 31/19
Dear Louis:
How glad I was to get the telephone message a few minutes ago that the letter had arrived, written Jan 5th. [I]t was so disappointing to hear every day no letter from Louis. Of course we knew one was on the way after hearing you had received your box. I just wonder what you were hoping would be in it, and when it did come if you were disappointed. I am glad you mentioned each article because we know it arrived as it was sent. The tin lining was a good idea, because the Gocke's were telling Cecelia at the club that Robert's box had come back home all mashed up. They were so angry that they did not try to locate him instead of returning it to this side.
Now, Louis you have lots to be thankful for, as you have always received your mail and very many boys over there have not had one line from home. Olivia Borse said that Will Wagner had never gotten any of his mail. It is a shame that you had to spend your Christmas week in such discomfort and pray tell me what on earth should you boys go to the rifle range for when you expect to get out of the army in a short while. [S]ome say the higher officers want to hold on to their jobs. That of course is only talk. Capt. Geher said the other day that when a whole div is together like the 30th they always continue to drill and practice, so as to keep the men in condition.
Won't home and a bed look good to you? I hope and pray that you will keep your health and get home safely. I still have Aunt Lou to burn a candle for you every day at the Mother of Perpetual Help altar and you see the people all over the world are praying for the soldiers during February in the Apostleship of Prayer.
I just came back from the bank. [Y]ou will be surprised when you get to 2nd & Market and see the Liberty Ins. Bank. [T]hey now have a safety vault. Uncle Frank had me to get a box to keep all of our valuable papers in as we now have a good many to take care of.
Mrs. Jos Sass was in this afternoon. [S]he inquired about you. I think I told you that Lee Michael has come home. Bernard Schieman and Robert Bosse expect to get out of camp soon.
Wednesday night we are all at home except Willie. [L]ast night Cecelia and Mary F. went to camp. I refused. The Traub's aunt received a pass and the bunch went on that one. Eleanor Gambert was out with a crowd and Angela Huber came over from the hospital for a while. Willie was sore he had planned to go to the gymnasium for the first time last night and I spoiled it all. Cecelia came in with the machine yesterday afternoon. She parked it here and we went down on Fourth St to shop. She then went to the dentist and called up here at 5 o'clock to ask if she should get the machine or if we would come home in it. I told her to leave it. Then I told Uncle Frank to finish up and ride over with us. [W]e did not get home until nearly seven. Willie had intended coming in on the 7:10, so you know. After supper he went down in the garage and changed all the tires on the machine, put on our last new one that you laid in for us. They have had one on with a big piece out of it and Cecelia has been very dubious about that tire. I still feel very nervous when riding with her and it makes her so angry, but I can not help it.
Mr. Henry Zimmer was in the store yesterday. [H]e asked about you, and said he saw Albert Kaelin at the shop in the morning. I am anxious to see how he looks. Joe Kurzendorfer was in this afternoon. [H]e was a sight, his face all in a bandage with holes in it for his eyes. Aunt Maggie has gone out to our lotto at St Francis this afternoon. I do not think I will go tonight because I have too many papers to read. Johnnie Beirne is not here today. [H]is folks said he had such pains in his back he could not get up this morning.
Hoping this letter finds you ready to leave for home, I am
Your loving sister
Clara
Send a telegram to us when you reach Charleston.
Collection
Citation
Discher family, “Letter, 31 January 1919,” The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects, accessed April 24, 2024, https://filsonhistorical.omeka.net/items/show/802.