Artists in the family

I wonder where sister Olive is, camp, maybe? No way to know.

Herb seems so generous with his younger brother, Harry. I do know that Harry became an artist of sorts. I have one large, slightly faded, watercolor of his that I got when Olive died. Though Harry does seems to be at loose ends, having a tough time making some decisions about his life.

Herb tried his hand at drawing, too, actually. It looks as though he copied images out of magazines. This is one that I framed and have hanging in my office:

Looks like Herb was interested in fiber arts, too - or pretty women, I suppose.... ;)

Wednesday, August 1, 1917

Dear Mother,

I got your letter safely yesterday but have been too busy + tired to write. We left Allentown Monday and are now in a semi-permanent camp about ten miles from Allentown. We are living in tents and I’m not awfully keen about it. Yesterday was I think the hottest day I ever remember. The thermometer touched 103 in the shade. We hiked all morning and I layed [sic] around in my underwear in the shade the rest of the day and still couldn’t get cool. We are supposed to go on hikes every day and return at night. That’s easier than breaking camp every day. The food is cooked on field kitchens but is very good – really better than we got in Allentown. This morning I have been on a detail to get water for the kitchen. We had to bring it a half a mile on trucks. it also rained hard for an hour and a half so everything except the clothes I had on is wet. But they’ll soon dry up.

I had a letter from Olive today. She says she is having a fine time.

I’m really glad that Harry didn’t go in the Navy, and that he’s going to Photography school in the fall. Of course my money from the firm is his. Have him write me more of his plans. I should think he might be best board over in Sterling Place. It’s reasonable and they’ll take good care of him. If he thinks he will I’ll write him a letter of introduction.

There are about a thousand of us here in this camp. How long will be here I don’t know, Reveille is at 4:45 AM and taps at 9:00 PM. I ought to be healthy – I never sweat so much before in my life. Mail is brought here three times a day from Allentown…
[letter torn and remainder missing.]

Good Questions

I guess I was wrong, because a letter I already transcribed and blogged fits in here - his wonderful date with Karolyn. So, something happened that she was around and he could visit with her.

I have not yet read my transcriptions in order. I still need to sort them, and that seems such a large task that I guess I am putting it off until I have transcribed them all. My story might hang together better, though, if I did reread and sort out.

I wish I knew this man. He sounds like such a good man. I am really wishing that I had the letter Nellie Jane wrote him – especially if she answers his questions. I would love to know how Nellie Jane and Oliver met – and how much Oliver earned when they got married.

I continue to wonder about Karolyn and what might have happened to her. Herbert clearly thought to marry her. I hope we find out, but nothing I have yet read has given me any clue. Why can't he give us her last name...?

I have no idea who Tom or Frank Blackhall are; I have never come across their names before.

I wonder what the salts were…

Wednesday, July 25, 1917
Dear Mother,

I’m afraid that in my hurry I forgot to tell you before that I received the five dollars all right. I imagine you must have known it anyway because I signed a return receipt.

Last night we slept out under the trees in our shelter tents inside the camps grounds. I didn’t mind the fact that the ground was hard but I didn’t like the mosquitos at all. They kept us awake until about twelve o’clock. The idea of it is to get us accustomed to sleeping out a bit before taking us out on our hike. Just when we will go one can’t tell because we are still waiting on such equipment as canteens, haversacks and mess kits.

It has been frightfully hot here the last two or three days. I have sweat like a horse. It seems as if I must have lost several pounds but I feel fine. Fortunately it’s a dry heat, so it isn’t as bad as it might be.

There is very little to tell any more. Things have settled down to a regular routine and one day is pretty much like the rest. Today I’ve got to wash. I don’t like the idea of it, there being none but cold water, but I sweat so much that my clothes demand it frequently.
___________
In the mean time I have just had my third typhoid inoculation, my first paratyphoid (both together) and a large dose of salts. The inoculations weren’t bad except that one gets nervous waiting around for them but the salts were nasty.

When you write be sure to tell me what Harry has done about enlisting or have him write me. I am more concerned about that now than about anything else.

When I was in New York I saw Frank Blackhall (Tom’s cousin). He is in the Cavalry (National Guard, some Brooklyn Troop) and has been called out to be mustered into the Federal Service.

5:00 pm

Your letter just came. Please Mother, don’t worry about me, at least until there’s something to worry about. Above all don’t worry about Karolyn. Until the war is over I have no prospects of course. After that, well if you don’t think I have, ask Charlie. I’ve talked it over with him and he thinks it all right. I have no intention of marrying until I have at least fifteen hundred a year. That will be two years at the earliest. And Mother, how old were you when you married and how much did Dad earn? As I see it, it will help me in business. It gives me that stability and responsibility, so necessary in my life. Of course Tom wouldn’t do it. It was never his idea to work for himself – much less for two. If it worries you so much I almost wish I had not told you. I told you in an endeavor to quiet your fears by showing you that assurance that I’d take no rash chances and would be absolutely straight morally. I thought it might relieve your mind about me. I wish I could talk to you about it.

Love,
Herbert

Time Machine

I have both just listened to and watched H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. The book was written in 1895 - read by Derek Jacobi - and the movie version I watched was made in 1960. Whereas I was struck by the concept of the haves and the have-nots in the book, the movie was more about human kind and their predilection for war.

In the book, I was struck how in 1895, Wells drew the conclusion that the haves, having all their needs taken care of for them, without them having to think anything through, ultimately turned into the equivalent of cattle. The have-nots were pushed underground, but having been required to maintain the machinery which kept the human animal above ground fed, housed, and clothed, they still could think and reason. Though, perhaps because of the divergence, the underground humans, the Morlocks, no longer saw the Eloi, the above ground humans, as human, and there no longer existed the repugnance of anthropophagy, as they were no longer the same. It is worth noting that Darwin lived from 1809 to 1882 and also, from my 21st century lens, surrounded by discussions about the 99% and the 1%, it is interesting to think about, this weird celebration of those folks who continue to use their hands to create, build and maintain. (I suspect I may be the only person to think the cannibalistic Morlocks are a celebration of the common man....)

It was the movie, however, which prompted me to post here today. Though the book was written - and set, I believe - in 1895, the 1960 movie begins on New Years Eve 1899 while the English are fighting the Boers in South Africa. George, our time traveler, is clearly disgusted by his country's continuous state of war - and that is only looking backwards in time, not knowing what we know today. He first emerges during WW1 - in September 1917 - and later to WW2 and even in to a period of Nuclear War. He pushes on through time to get to the period of the Eloi and Morlocks. We, of course, have lived through more wars that Wells' did not know - WW1 & 2, Korea, and even the producers of the movie did not know, Vietnam and now the longest for the US - Afghanistan.

Back to Herb, though. We haven't yet gotten to September 1917 in our letters, we know that Herb is still in Allentown, PA, in August, talking about the weather and thinking about Karolyn while the time traveler is talking with Filby's son - George Filby, the father and fiend to the time traveler, having died during the 'Great War'- which Herb is now apart of. Silly thoughts, I know, but still fun to think of.

And also, as this blog celebrates Fiber Art - I loved how the director used women's fashions to illustrate the passage of time; that was brilliant.

Anticipating a quick visit with Mom

As I was driving home from Maine last week I saw signs for Bridgeport.... it made me smile and almost prolong my trip home. I have never been there. On that note, driving to Boston from NYC, though, I did drive near New Rochelle. I wish I had stopped there for a visit. I need to make a plan for that - for now I have found family on both sides - maternal and paternal - who lived in New Rochelle.

I guess I should figure no Sunday letter in mid to late July, as he will be home. That should help my chronology puzzle.

Wednesday, July 18, 1917

Dear Mother,

I have just heard from Grace and she wants Karolyn and I to come see them Sunday but hasn’t any place to put us over Saturday night as the spare room isn’t furnished. That’s all right but something went wrong at the other end and Karolyn isn’t going to Bridgeport yet awhile. As far as I can gather it’s something to do with a school out west which she is trying to secure for the fall.

I put in an application for two days leave before I knew all this and I had to fight with the commandant to get it. He warned me that it would be the last I could ever hope to get before leaving so I’m coming home. I’ll leave here Friday evening early and will probably be in Troy early Saturday morning – about two o’clock or so. I hadn’t thought of coming up yet because I thought that later I’d be able to get four or five days. According to the latest advices from headquarters here we won’t be here but a very short time now. We get practice hikes every other day – five or six miles. Our battalion – six sections – is already organized and will be ready to leave I think within a month. Whether will go to France or Russia I don’t know. It may be either. I do wish I had more time but I can stay until about noon Sunday and I want to see you all before I leave for good.

We have a new lieutenant for Section 80. Who should it be by “Lub” Allen a Phi Delt from Syracuse who graduated from Liberal Arts before my time but whom I knew quite well. They are filling up the sections to 45 men. The new men are all nice chaps in our sections and several of the rough necks have transferred so I’m going to stick with section 80.

I have a strained leg – it’s the tendon just above my heel but I expect it will be all right in a few days. Outside of that I’m as healthy as a mule. You’ll see for yourself.

If you haven’t sent me that money by the time you get this keep till I arrive. I have enough to get home on.

So I’m afraid you’ll have me waking you up early Saturday AM.

Until then, good bye,
Herbert

P.S. If I don’t arrive as I plan you’ll know that I’ve been called out in the meantime on one of these six day hikes. That will cancel my leave.
Herb

Montana Bison Wool

A little break from Herb as I transcribe and sort more of his letters. This is a blog called Spinning a Yarn under a Family Tree, so I do need to remember to put in a little bit about the yarn....

Last year I visited Montana and was fortunate enough to find a yarn shop in downtown Bozeman - very near the café where I imbibed a cappuccino with goat milk; I don't think I will do that again. Though an enthusiastic coffee drinker, I don't seem to have a palate for a blend of goat's milk and espresso.

Back to the yarn....


I once read that bison fiber is collected from the ground - obviously one can not shear from a wild animal - but this booklet which accompanies the yarn indicates that they have been harvesting the downy fiber from the hides of meat animals. I can't quite imagine the meeting of weavers and knitters with the abattoir.... But, the booklet indicates that 'once the fiber is sheared the hide is sold to be tanned and made into leather goods.' I guess the hides would go to waste and it's easier to shear a motionless hide than to collect fiber in the middle of the plain....

I purchased two 3.5 oz skeins of the wool - and, yes, $68 per skein. In this case I am using the Bison Cloud which is a 50/50 blend of bison and alpaca. This yarn is so wonderfully soft. The spinners suggest using it for items around the face because of it's delicious texture. I would agree.

I am knitting a very simple scarf pattern I picked up in Vermont from Battenkill Fibers. And so far only 2 mistakes which I have tried to correct, but that is not yet a skill I have mastered. I said this was a blog about fiber art, I didn't say I was any good at it!

My husband has asked that I never make anything for him. His reasoning is that he never wants to feel obligated to wear it. Sounds cruel, but I understand. I wonder if my brothers feel the same, as they may be getting scarves for Christmas this year (if I finish by then).

Bastille Day

I can guess the date of this letter, luckily. Like yesterday, I have reference points! Makes sorting so much easier.

I have to say, sometimes this does seem more like summer camp that prepping for the first World War; how naïve they all seem. Don't worry, I'm not lonesome! And how about some cake? I would like some cake, please. Bizarre, really, from a 21st century perspective.

I am posting this picture again to remember how young he was... Still waiting on his uniform and asking his mother for cake... What was he wearing all this time as he has enlisted to serve his country?

On the US Army Medical Department web site they mention how "the volunteers paid for their own transportation, clothing, uniforms, and personal equipment. As one put it, "the Americans not only had to be willing to risk their lives, they also had to pay to do it."

I guess Kimber isn't as yellow as Herb originally accused. (I suppose I could see if a death certificate is available for Kimber now that I know his full name and place of birth/residence on Ancestry.com.)

Sunday, (July 15), 1917
Dear Mother,

Sunday again and I guess the rain has cleared up for good. I hope so.

Most of the rail roads that run into Allentown are running Sunday excursions here and the camp to-day is jammed full of visitors.

I had a letter from Case the other day so I knew about the check before I had heard from. I could use about five dollars of it if you can spare it but if you need it for the insurance keep it as I’ll worry along all night.

Yesterday the camp celebrated Bastille Day in honor of the French. There were patriotic exercises and a few field events.

Events in Germany seem to have taken a funny turn but it look as if peace were still a long way off. I sent my clothes Wednesday so you must have them by now. I had to send them collect because they don’t except [sic] express parcels in camp any other way.

Karolyn is I think going to Bridgeport this week to visit her relatives there. I have written Charlie + Grace + asked them to invite her over next Saturday to stay overnight in which case I’ll run over to see her if I can get the leave. It’s awfully hard to get a leave of absence but I think I can get thirty-six hours. It takes about two hours to go from here to Jersey City and the fare is two dollars. I think Chas + Grace will be glad to have us. At any rate they had often mentioned it to me before so it was all right to ask them.

Of course I have written to the folks at Sterling Place. Kimber, as I understand it, is also enlisted in aviation: but neither of them have yet been called.

I have called twice on Morton. He is in Section 47. But I haven’t found him in yet. However I’ll probably have better luck next time.

I know quite a few of the fellows here quite well so there’s no danger of my being lonesome. There are about fifty-five Phi Delts scattered around and I often bump into them.

I would like to have you send me some cookies or cake. We never have either at mess. I buy them once in a while in the store but they don’t taste right.
Love to all,
Herbert
Section 80

Enjoying Myself

Herb's birthday is July 7th. He was a young 'un in all this, wasn't he? I can't imagine making the kinds of decisions he was making at twenty or even in my twenties. He is such a boy, and then so pleased to be 'grown up at last.'

Again, according to my favorite reference source, Wikipedia, Robert W. Service was a Canadian poet who:

"worked as a stretcher bearer and ambulance driver with the Ambulance Corps of the American Red Cross, until his health broke." Convalescing in Paris, he wrote a new book of mainly war poetry, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, in 1916.

Photo taken from Wikipedia

Can you imagine being a soldier and sitting around singing? Just doesn't compute in this day and age - especially as I write this an Iraq is falling apart again with ISIS marching against Al-Malikis corrupt government. Makes you want to cry for all those people just trying to live their lives.

I can find only a High School in Georgia when I research Booker Washington's College. I guess I am having trouble reconciling an African American High School quartet singing and reciting for the Ambulance Corps, so I am assuming I have misunderstood something here.

The ambulance corps had to assemble their vehicles when they got to France. Though I can't find it now, I have seen photographs of the vehicles in their crates. From the US Army Medical Department web page they indicate:

Ford, Fiat, Peugeot, and General Motors Company ambulances were severely tested under combat conditions that demonstrated their advantages in speed and patient comfort. The Ford Model "T" could climb narrow mountain roads where patient movement previously was possible only on mules or in horse-drawn carts. The Ford put new meaning in "fording." It sat high and could get through flooded roads not accessible by lower vehicles. Indeed, French soldiers accused the Americans of painting water lines on their vehicles as depth gauges, and some calls for evacuation would request the ambulance "boats." If a road was blocked, the "T" could go cross-country. It was light enough that three or four soldiers could pick it up and move it if it stuck in a ditch or shell hole.17

Nevertheless, the motorized ambulances were primitive vehicles. The Ford's idiosyncrasies made mountain driving dicey. Its gravity gasoline feed did not work on steep grades, compelling drivers to back their vehicles up the hills. Another problem was that prolonged driving in low gear caused excessive and uneven wear on the transmission bands. To equalize the wear, drivers in mountainous terrain used the low-speed band during climbs, the reverse band to assist in controlling descents, and the foot brake on corners and the steepest parts of hills. Transmission bands would last ten to fourteen days with this technique. Mountain driving was further complicated by brakes that could not handle the steep grades. Drivers kept an eye peeled for strategically placed trees that could stop them if necessary. Sometimes patients had unforgettable rides.

I found a web page about Section 80 and they had a photograph of the group - rough necks and all. I am not certain, but I am guessing that Herb is either the guy sitting aloof on the top left - his jaw looks like my father's jaw - or he is the second on the left sitting on the bench. In both cases, the man seems camera shy.

Sunday (must be July 1917)

Dear Family,
I had a letter from you yesterday but that was the first in some time. I don’t know what could have become of the other. The parcel post package hasn’t put in an appearance and I am curious as a kid at Christmas to know what it is in it. I know it will be something I’ll like and I thank you a thousand times for remembering me. To think that I am twenty-one. Grown up at last. Honestly, Mother, I can’t believe it. You’ll have to dye your hair gray, too, or no one will believe it.

I had a letter from Steve Lee at Plattsburgh the other day asking me if I was coming up to the second camp. I am writing to tell him what I really have done. I imagine it will surprise him.

I have written to Mr. Case and told him about how I am fixed and asked him to mail my check to you but have had no reply so far. I am writing to Charlie to-day.

It’s nice of you to offer to send me papers but I’m afraid I shouldn’t have much use for them. I buy the New York Times here two or three times a week to keep in touch with things in general.

To-day we are having the first gloomy weather since I have been here. It isn’t raining but it’s cloudy and dull.

Lately I am beginning to really enjoy myself here. I didn’t like it at first – it was too different from the sort of living to which I was accustomed. But lately I’ve sort of gotten into the spirit of it and find that I like it pretty well. Last night the Army Y.M.C.A. had a nice little free entertainment for the boys. A.M. Wooley, who has been at the front recited some of the “Rhymes of a Red Cross Man” by Robert Service, a Canadian poet. It was very fine. After that a quartette from Booker Washington’s College sang and recited. Most every night there are moving pictures on the grounds and the gang unites in songs. We are learning marching songs now to use on our hikes which will start soon. One of the favorites is “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and Smile! Smile! Smile!” which is a favorite at all the training camps throughout the country.

The Phi Delt dinner Thursday night was a great success. About forty of us were present from eighteen or twenty different chapters. We had a room to ourselves and could make all noise and sing all the Phi Delt songs we liked. Afterwards we went in a body to the only vaudeville theater in town. The dinner was fine, everything from soup on and the whole assessment was only a dollar and thirty cents. There are now more than fifty Phis in camp and we plan to have regular get-to-gether meetings every Monday night + to have our pictures taken when we all get uniforms. I haven’t mine yet, by the way, but there are only about fifteen sections not outfitted out of about a hundred + ten so we expect them to-morrow or Tuesday.

There has been another hitch in transfers on account of the pay roll so you had best address me care of section 80 until I tell you differently.

About 50 of the motor ambulances are now here and the rest are expected soon. Over a hundred two-ton Packard trucks have also arrived this week.

I went to church at the Y.M.C.A. tent to-day. Some preacher from Philadelphia spoke about the war. He was very good.

Love to all,
Herbert

Newcomb-Starr-Dommerich-Moores Tree

I was visiting with a friend and she showed me a book compiled by a cousin about her family. I was flipping through the pages and what should jump out at me? The name Newcomb jumped out at me. And coincidentally enough, while reading the list of descendants from a Moores-Newcomb union, one of the daughters has Starr as a middle name.

My friend is from Maine and her ancestors/cousins are from New Brunswick, Canada. Though I have not yet attached this branch to the one family wikitree, they are obviously - at least to me - connected to the Nova Scotia branch of the Starrs. When I have time I should see if there are any Moores in the Newcomb Genealogy tome from 1923, perhaps that may flush out the connection.

rough necks vs. clean and gentlemanly

The letters have been sporadic and we seem to jump to June. I have another stack of letters but they seem to be much later, though I need to go through them and see what I find. I confess, scanning is a lot of work. My third cousin did tell me that Charlie & Grace's wedding was on the 21st of June; this is the Sunday following.

It seems so funny that these guys bring their own clothing and things. When did everything change and we outfit our military? Seems logical to have everyone in 'uniform' clothing, but I guess it was the same in the Civil War - go with what you had and defend your country/lifestyle/beliefs.

I should think we all would love to own real estate at 10th Avenue and 20th Street now - though then I guess it was by the active piers; rough necks is probably a very apt term - or are rough necks people who work on oil and gas rigs? It's only a couple blocks north of the Chelsea Market where the Oreo cookie was invented.

And what is lowery? I looked at it a couple times but couldn't make it out and Google doesn't recognize it other than a proper name. I have been known to be obtuse, though, so if anyone else can figure it out....

Sunday (perhaps June 24, 1917)

Dear Mother,

I have been here ten days to-day. Last night I went down town and treated myself to a regular meal – the first meal I’ve had in Allentown outside of the mess hall. Lord knows the meals are not what one gets at home but I suppose I shouldn’t kick because I’ve gained five pounds since I’ve been here.

To-morrow I expect to get a uniform if nothing happens. When I do I will send to you everything I bought with me in the clothing line except one soft shirt and my handkerchiefs. I’ll get three suits of underwear, socks etc. so I will not needs those which I brought.

I was glad to hear that you prevailed upon Edith to go to the wedding. It would have been too bad if she had stayed away. You didn’t say how Grace looked. I was wondering if she had powdered her nose. Charlie hates to have her do it but she always looks like the dickens without it. I knew you’d like Jane. She’s an awfully good sort.

By the way, I expected that after to-morrow I will be a member of Section 49 instead of Section 80. Pretty near all the good men from 80 have left to join friends in other section and there are about eight truck drivers in the section from around 10th Ave and 20th St. N.Y. – awful rough necks whom I am ashamed to be seen with. A chap from the Section 49 asked me to join them to take the place of a chap who was rejected for a weak heart and after seeing the rest of the section I asked permission to do so. They are practically all college men and at any rate they are all clean and gentlemanly, which is more that you can say for the truck drivers in 80.

The weather holds fine. Remarkably Friday was a bit lowery (?) but it all passed over in a couple of fiver minute showers.

I get a cold bath about every day and am beginning to enjoy them, but I’ll be blessed if I like to shave in it. Still I have no choice.

Here are now close to 4000 men here and they are busy building extra barracks – only temporary canvas affair – for about a thousand more.

I rather think you have Karolyn dropping in to see you some afternoon soon – she said something about it in her last letter. She is knitting me one of those dark grey Red Cross sweaters to keep herself busy. They are those affairs with low-necks + no sleeves something like a jersey but they’re heavier and the openings are smaller. Lots of fellows here in camp have them.

Love to all,
Herb

Ahhhh, maybe not fighting for humanitarian reasons....

I may have gotten this letter out of order - I will need to spend more time reflecting upon the content to figure out where it goes in sequence.

I don't know what a statistician is doing working on the Interborough Rapid Transit Co. - though maybe they desire to issue bonds, so Herb is working on that. The NYC subway was privately owned until June 1940, and this was the private company which built the system which opened in 1904. Wow, can you imagine what the subway was like when it was clean and new?

Fred Judson, remember, is on the letterhead of the company and has joined the Mosquito Fleet. Though not a family member, it might be fun to learn more about him.


Sunday – date unknown, but perhaps May 1917

Dear Family,

Kimber and I have just returned from a stroll through the park. It’s a beautiful day and the park was lovely – but the people. Honestly, we felt like foreigners. The place was full of Jews who come with their lunches and spend the day.

Well, the draft is coming. I won’t register because I won’t have to, but if we really are going to send troops across and it certainly looks like it, I’m going to enlist.

Mr. Friedman and I have been working until after eleven o’clock at night this week finishing up a study of the Interborough Rapid Transit Co. I certainly was glad when we finished it yesterday.

Fred Judson went to join his crew Tuesday. He was in for a while Saturday, looking very much sunburned. The boat hasn’t put to sea yet. They were only getting things in shape and taking on supplies.

I haven’t seen much of Charlie the past week – only once or twice for a few minutes chat. He has been very busy, too.

Jane Parker has a position with Banker’s Trust Co. She starts work tomorrow.

Charlie and Grace have been scouring the country lately looking for a house but haven’t had any luck yet.

I haven’t been up to see Edith in a long time so I think I’ll try to get up some night this week.

I think the reason why I didn’t get in on Plattsburgh is my age. Steve Lee was a year back of me in college but he is twenty-four. Phike Morris is twenty-five.

That’s the only reason I can think of because I was pronounced physically fit and I think I’m intelligent enough.

Friedman tells me to wait but he’s one of these people who think there won’t be any fighting for America to do. Anyway you couldn’t expect much else from him because he hasn’t any red blood in his veins any way.

I won’t do anything for a couple of weeks anyway and before I do I’ll come up and stay a few days.

Love to all,
Herbert