| Newspaper | Cassville Republican |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, February 27, 1919 |
| Headline | Writes From France |
| Text | Charles Riddle of Mineral Springs and a former pupil of the Cassville High school writes the following letter to Col. and Mrs. Wm. Holliday of Mineral Springs:
Dear Friends: I was sitting last night thinking of you, wondering how all of the old folks are at home. I am not interested in a few but all of my old friends. I miss those old time hand shakes I used to get when I walked down the street in Mineral Springs. Little did I dream at that time of being so far way from my native land. Little did I realize what it meant to be so far away. But, never-the-less, I came and came with a free will to fight for my home land. I deem it an honor to fight for the freedom of the human race. If I should have died as other boys have freely died, my death as others, would not have been in vain. The death of my comrades has been to make the world better for their posterity to live in. It is hard to give them up but when we think that Christ died for the sins of the world that the human race might have eternal life, then it is not so hard. I used to sit and listen to Uncle William Holiday talk and wondered why he became so enthusiastic when telling of the solider life in the Union army, but now I understand it all. It was because true American blood was flowing fast. As a people we lacked that when the war began but now I believe the people have been wrought up to the place where they realize that it takes red-blooded Americans, loyal and true, to be successful against the foe. I hardly realized that I was going to real war until I landed in France. I have met people of about all nations of the Eastern hemisphere and part of the Western, especially of Canada. It has been a wonderful thing to me to meet so many. I have my opinion of all these men as soldiers but that opinion I will not express at this time. I am glad that I came across the ocean. I would not take thousands of dollars for what I have seen but I would not give one cent to go back over it again. I am ready now to come back to my home and be satisfied. Have been in France almost six months. That is long enough for me. Some changes have taken place since I left Mineral. I fear it will not seem like home when I get back. How is Uncle Taylor? I was very sorry to hear of Mrs. McClure's death. The world would be better off with a few more persons like Aunt Mary. She has set an example for us to live by. I suppose you are feeling well. I am feeling good and hope to shake hands with you soon but of course I have no idea when we will leave here or where will go. Your friend, Pvt. Chas. W. Riddle M. G. 350 Inf. A. E. F., Amer. P. O. 795 |
| Resource | State Historical Society of MO Microfilm |
| Submitted by | Donna Cooper |
