Harry has been playing around with girls

Hahaha! I wish we had the letter from his mother describing what brother Harry was doing.

Sunday 1917 (8/19/1917)
Dear Mother,

Your Friday letter arrived today. We always have one mail delivery on Sunday.

It certainly was surprising to hear that Harry has been playing around with girls. I was glad to hear it, though. He ought to get out more often.

I had a regular surprise package from Karolyn today – a brown sweater and scarf to match that she knitted for me and a tobacco pouch. The sweater is a regular godsend. It’s pretty cold at 5:30 am these days. Her father is going to drive her down to Bridgeport this coming Saturday – the 25th. I’m going to try to get over to see her that Sunday. There is nothing definite yet but I’m inclined to think that Section 80 will be sent along with the section in which Allan Norton is. 80 is one of the oldest sections in camp now. Still you never can tell. At any rate I can’t drive yet – haven’t been given instructions so I’ll not see any actual service for quite a few months unless they transfer me to some sort of clerical work at some headquarters over there. If we are going I do wish they’d tell us.

The weather is ideal. Cool nights and warm clear days. Friday I was vaccinated for small pox so I am all through with having my arm jabbed and punctured unless the vaccination doesn’t take.

I got another pair of shoes this week – three pairs now.

Love to all,
Herbert

I believe this is a photo of Harry when he was young. He married, but never had any children. If not Harry, still a very handsome man.

Beverly Hayden Art at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, Co.

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival started today in Denver, CO; the festival continues through the 6th. It's a juried show and there are many excellent artists.

I met Beverly Hayden from Chattanooga, TN. She had some art pieces which jumped out at me because she uses vintage items, such as washboards and irons, etc. and creates shadow boxes with old photographs. The piece I admired today, called "Luck of the Draw" incorporates photographs of her mother as a child and some of her spinster - or shall we use childless? - aunts. It seems that I can not snag that image from her web site to show my readers. She seemed genuinely enthusiastic when I told her I was attempting to research and write the story of my childless female relatives.

Here, however, is how she describes her process for making these "Boxes":

Striving to explore dimension and layers, I assemble vintage found objects with objects of my own construction. At their heart, most of my pieces are deeply personal reflections on introspection, self-awareness and personal growth. I explore universal experiences such as “finding oneself,” the tricky art of family relations as well as love and loss. I express the underlying theme of time passages by using layers of beeswax, paint and even minute differences in depth in my placement of objects. I love to incorporate old objects that have their own “life experiences” to add to the sense of history and timeliness of each piece.

I call the boxes and drawers that house these objects and their ultimate stories/expressions “homes” because I view them not only as a final resting place for these unexpected groupings, but also because each piece ultimately is about finding one’s home – that place within where peace, calm, happiness, safety & sense of family exist in abundance. Through our shared life experiences, celebrations & struggles, I hope your spirit finds a home and sense of kinship within one of my “homes.”

I was intrigued with her pieces, too, because she gives me a place to begin when I start to assemble some family pieces with photographs. I was visiting with my brother and he has some of my father's toy lead WW1 soldiers. I had conceived of the idea while I was in New Orleans that I should make a shadow box with a portrait of my father and some of his soldiers to give to my brothers. Of the collection of soldiers my brother had in his possession, many were of nurses, wounded and stretcher bearers. The Ambulance Corps is not my father's experience, but I couldn't not take those soldiers because of where my head is with these letters from Herb. Hopefully my shadow boxes will turn out as beautiful as those of Ms. Hayden, though with perhaps a narrower appeal.

I was able to scan her card:

Find A Grave

Happy 4th of July!

Rather than hike during my down time while I was visiting my brother, I went to Sunset Hills Cemetery to satisfy some photograph requests.

Here is the kind message I got from a fellow Findagrave user:

Thank you so much for the beautiful photo of the grave of Emmett Matthew. The inscription on the stone was too important to be lost and you captured it all. I . . . and the Matthew family are sincerely appreciative!

I believe I should pay it forward with these photographs I take for FAG; though, to be truthful, I might be paying it back in this case. During this very week while I was researching my paternal line, another volunteer with Find A Grave posted photos of cousin Dommerich and Okie headstones from Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. The information gathered from those headstones allowed for more hints to unfurl on the Ancestry.com web site for me.

This Mason, Emmet Matthew, is not one of my relatives, but as I wondered through the cemetery I came across other stones which did have family names which occur in my tree. Though it would be incredible if these folks belonged to my tree, for, except my brother, I don't know anyone in that state and there is no family lore of anyone going there.

Denver Airport

I have been traveling and I was interested to see this first World War era airplane in the Denver airport. It caught my eye because it was used by the Signal Corps which Herb mentioned as a possible group with which to serve. Looking at that airplane, I have to conclude that those pilots were some brave men.

Archduke Ferdinand is assassinated

Tomorrow marks the 100 year anniversary of the event that started it all.

It also marks the 95th anniversary of the Versailles Treaty.

As learned from the History Channel:

On this day in 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie are shot to death by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. The killings sparked a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I by early August. On June 28, 1919, five years to the day after Franz Ferdinand's death, Germany and the Allied Powers signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially marking the end of World War I.

See original image here.

The archduke traveled to Sarajevo in June 1914 to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908. The annexation had angered Serbian nationalists, who believed the territories should be part of Serbia. A group of young nationalists hatched a plot to kill the archduke during his visit to Sarajevo, and after some missteps, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip was able to shoot the royal couple at point-blank range, while they traveled in their official procession, killing both almost instantly.

The assassination set off a rapid chain of events, as Austria-Hungary immediately blamed the Serbian government for the attack. As large and powerful Russia supported Serbia, Austria asked for assurances that Germany would step in on its side against Russia and its allies, including France and possibly Great Britain. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the fragile peace between Europe's great powers collapsed, beginning the devastating conflict now known as the First World War.

After more than four years of bloodshed, the Great War ended on November 11, 1918, after Germany, the last of the Central Powers, surrendered to the Allies. At the peace conference in Paris in 1919, Allied leaders would state their desire to build a post-war world that was safe from future wars of such enormous scale. The Versailles Treaty, signed on June 28, 1919, tragically failed to achieve this objective. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's grand dreams of an international peace-keeping organization faltered when put into practice as the League of Nations. Even worse, the harsh terms imposed on Germany, the war's biggest loser, led to widespread resentment of the treaty and its authors in that country--a resentment that would culminate in the outbreak of the Second World War two decades later.

On a side note, as I was writing this post I looked a little more closely at the History Channel's information. I thought it serendipitous that today also happens to be the day in 1844 when Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, was killed in his jail cell. As an on-line genealogists I owe a lot to the Latter Day Saints for their record keeping - and I am under the impression that Ancestry.com may have originated from their efforts.

Photographs

I believe I may have 3 of the photographs Herb mentions, though I can only put my hands on two at the moment. Interestingly, they are slightly different from one another - they have been colored or shaded, it seems. (Found the third photograph!)

I don't know who this Marine might be.

And still no more about this Karolyn!

Wednesday (August 15), 1917
Dear Mother,

I arrived back from NY this morning about 5:30 so I’m pretty sleepy especially as I put in the day on the sanitary police squad – cleaning up around the grounds.

I had a very fine visit with Charlie and Grace. I reached the house Monday night about ten and we had a fine talk then. In the morning I went over to the city with Charlie and went in to the office. Mr. Pomeroy was out of town on a vacation and Mr. Case was not in. Mr. Case has been away a lot lately which is probably the reason that you didn’t receive he check sooner. Went out to lunch with Mr. Friedman. Right after lunch I went back to Jersey. Bill what’s his name and Blanche were there for supper and stayed all night. You know the couple I mean. He went to Stevens and was a great boyhood friend of Charlie’s. I left about 1 o’clock and had to wait most 2 hours in Jersey City for the 2:20 to Allentown.

I had a half dozen photographs ordered in N.Y. He took four poses so one of them should turn out all right. I wanted them in time for Mothers birthday but it couldn’t be done. I ordered one sent to Charlie’s, one to Karolyn and the other four to you. I suppose you’d better give one to Aunt Ada and one to Aunt Burdella. Pass them around as far as they’ll go.

I had my last paratyphoid inoculation to day. Nothing left now but small pox vaccination. Tomorrow my heart and lungs will be examined by experts. They are going over all the men in camp looking for T.B.

That picture of Marine wasn’t focused very well, was it. Still I was very glad to get it. Did she pick out that pose herself.

I can’t figure out how Frank Bergen got by the examining board. They seem to be making little tin gods out of the drafted men, don’t they. I guess it’s that way in every city. The volunteers aren’t even mentioned.

We were paid Monday afternoon. Just in time since I wanted to go to New York.

As you know Karolyn has always wanted to be a nurse. Since she can’t get a school her father’s objections don’t hold water. She tried to get in the Albany Hospital a couple of months ago but there were no openings. She could get in at Bridgeport and its more or less like home to her there. All her father’s and mother’s people live there.

Love to all
Herbert

Backpacks and Meeting the Parents

OMG, he does love her. What could have happened to her? To them? Herb marries my grandmother in 1923 when he is back in Brooklyn working at an advertising agency, Barrows & Richardson, as an executive assistant. Their first child comes more than 9 months after the wedding, so I am not going to think less of him.

Charles is a bit older than Herb – by about 8 years.

So, backpacks? The evolution of military equipment described right here for us to learn.

Thursday (August 23), 1917
Dear Mother,

Your letter came today. I was awfully sorry to hear that you have been having trouble with your liver. I do hope that the doctoring will put you in good shape again in short order.

Did I tell you that I have been vaccinated? The doctor looked at it again today and pronounced it ok. Now that it has taken I’m through with vaccines for a while, I hope. At least I am supposed to be immune from typhoid, paratyphoid and small pox for some time to come – probably from on five years.

When we were out on the hike we used old style knapsacks and other equipment but today they gave us the new model packs. The old ones hang by your side in a long strap over your shoulder but these new ones have straps over both shoulders and they ride up high right between your shoulders. They sort of cut your shoulders at first but the weight of them sits better. I also now have three sets of good heavy all wool underwear regular back woods stuff. It will be fine and warm.

I knew of course that Karolyn had been up to see you. I don’t need to say that I’m awfully glad you can love her too. I don’t know what I should do if you didn’t. I’m sure you’ll never have reason to change your mind. She’s just as fine and sweet as she seems. I ought to know after all this time.

We may possibly be let off at noon Saturday or perhaps eleven o’clock – right after inspection. In that case I’ll drop in and see Chas and Grace before I go to Bridgeport. And don’t worry about my keeping K out late. I’m just as jealous of her reputation as anyone else – with good reason.

Lots of love,
Herb

I’ll probably be too busy to write Sunday so I’ll wait till Monday.

He’s so gallant; what a gentleman.
I do have to say, though, I am so surprised about how much traveling they have been doing. It's not like Troy, NY where my great grandmother is living, is close by. Traveling from Jersey City, to NYC, to Bridgeport, to Troy; I'd be exhausted and I have a car at my disposal.
My grandmother lived to a ripe old age, so I am not going to worry about her liver trouble.

7th week in camp

Seems such a surprise that Herb and Charles would want to talk about what Herb will be doing after the War - the War hasn't even begun for Herb.... I guess they are very optimistic that the War will not last long once the Americans enter it.

Karolyn is heading over to Bridgeport to be a nurse....

So, was Olive at summer camp??? We saw her school picture before, in the blog entry dedicated to her.

Still no idea who Kelly Zillessen is....


Sunday, August 12, 1917

Dear Mother,
Sunday again – another week gone. Last Thursday finished my seventh week in camp.

I had a letter from Kelly Zillessen (?) yesterday. He was called out a week ago yesterday by telegram and sent to an aviation organization camp at San Antonio, Texas. He expects to be there only a few weeks and then to be sent to the aviation school either in Illinois or at Mineola.

This afternoon at 4 o’clock section 80 mounts guard for twenty-four hours. At four o’clock Monday afternoon we are relieved and are then off duty til 5:30 Wednesday morning. I plan to leave Monday at 6:07 pm and go over and visit Chas. I shall return late Tuesday night. He is very anxious to have me come and this looks like a good opportunity. There are a lot of things about what I am to do after the war that we want to talk over together. I shall tell him then about what Harry is going to do. I know he will be pleased and will be anxious to help out a bit if it proves necessary.

I can’t understand why it is that you have no word from the firm. I have made no later arrangement with them – could not have, in fact, since no one but Mr. Friedman was in the office when last I was there. At any rate, I would not have changed the arrangement without first consulting you since I had already given the money to Harry. However I will drop in to see them all Tuesday and will probably hear about it then.

Karolyn is going in to a hospital in Bridgeport, just as soon as arrangements are completed and she can get together her uniforms and aprons or whatever it is a nurse in training needs. Since she is to be in Bridgeport I hope to be able to go over to see her some Sunday soon.

I hear not more about when are to go abroad.

The food lately has been a great improvement. They are giving a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit – oranges, bananas, sweet corn, tomatoes, green peas, etc. It’s a great relief after canned stuff.

I had intended to write Olive but you said she was coming home so I did not. I hear from Karolyn that friend Mac Dowell has been telling around town that he expects to go to France with the U.S.A.A.C.
Love to all,
Herb


Rather than posting both fun things I found the other day while rifling through the strong box, I am posting the photograph I found of proud Harry with one of his masterpieces. Both front and back:

Nice as pie.... (and some cookies, too)

First group finally left Allentown for France in August. Camp started in June. We know that Herb hangs in PA for many more months....

Wednesday, August 8, 1917
Dear Mother,

We’re back in Allentown again – came in yesterday afternoon. We left Bath Monday morning and marched about 12 miles to a little village called Weaverville where we stayed overnight. That afternoon we were shot with one second dose of paratyphoid and in the evening it rained. The dampness got in to me and I was pretty stiff next morning what with the injection and all. We set out from Weaverville and pushed on to Catasauqua where the Red Cross Association gave us a fine lunch. We then came right on to Allentown and got in and settled down in our old barracks by five o’clock. I was pretty well worn out so I went to bed about eight o’clock and woke up this morning feeling fine.

The cookies arrived in good shape Monday afternoon and they certainly tasted good.

I am glad Harry has made up his mind to go to school in the fall. I think it will be a darned good thing. And so long as he has enough to pay most of his expenses in hand it will be a simple matter to get money for board, carfare lunches and the like. I know Charlie will be glad to help him out a bit. I’ll ask him about it if you like. If Harry needs any clothes he might better use mine than buy new ones.

I wouldn’t worry about the money from the firm. It will come along all right.

My Syracuse Lieutenant is fine and he treats me nice as pie.

The first thousand men left Allentown for France late Monday night. The second lot has been announced but Section 80 is not among them. I rather think we’ll be in the third group to leave around Labor Day.

Love to all,
Herbert


I had to laugh out loud yesterday. I screwed up the courage to finally go through a strong box brimming with old photos. I would suggest that they were Margaret's photographs, though I'll never know. There was no order, and many were not labelled, but look what I found:

These three photographs have only the name Olive on the back. The penciled in label explains nothing else.... But, maybe it is camp for Olive. In 1917 Olive would be about 13 years old. I would suggest she might be a little older than 13 here, but close.... As I look more closely at the photos now I see that the girls are not dressed for a theatrical production as I originally thought, they are just dressed of the time. Hahahaha. Oops. But they are up to summertime shenanigans, I would suggest.

I believe Olive is the young lady with the tie-like ribbon.

Hiking....

Sunday, August 5, 1917

Dear Mother,

I’ve been having a fine time the last few days. Thursday was the last of the terrific hot spell and since then the weather has been ideal – quite like autumn. Clear, warm days and cool, crisp nights. Friday we broke camp and set out at three o’clock. We hiked fourteen miles that afternoon arriving at Slatington at 7:45. We rest ten minutes out of every hour always and of course we had supper on the way – sandwiches and coffee. We stayed in Slatington overnight and camped out overnight in the town ball grounds. We didn’t put up tents but rolled up in blankets underneath the stars and a full moon. We were up next morning at 4:45 after a good night’s sleep and we were on the march at 6:30. We pushed on for five hours arriving at Bath over very winding but pretty good roads at about 11:30. We covered about 16 miles. Our tents, blankets and spare clothes were carried on trucks so all we had to carry was haversacks and canteens, about 8 pounds in all. We are here in Bath over today but expect to start out tomorrow. No one knows where we are going or how long we’ll be out of camp except the Major in command and he isn’t telling.

Many of the men have sore feet but mine are in fine shape and I feel great. I’d much rather be out on the road than in Allentown. There are about 700 of us and we stretch out in ranks of four over nearly a quarter mile of road.

The Y.M.C.A. follows us around and brings us our mail every day.
Love to all,
Herbert

On this day of a boring letter from Allentown, Pa, I thought I would share a letter and drawings Herb wrote to his Aunt Ada, cousin Helen and Uncle Bill. Ada is his mother's sister. The baby in this case is Herb's youngest sister, Margaret.