W. G. Sharp letter to Champ Clark - August 19, 1918

Transcript

Paris, [August] 19, 1918. My dear Mr. Speaker: Just as the official pouch is going out today, I feel that I should write you to tell you of the pleasant surprise which came to me a few days ago when I was suddenly brought face to face with your son, Lieut. Col. Clark, who had come into Paris on one or two days’ leave. At first I did not recognize him in his khaki uniform, and especially because he has added considerably to his weight since I left the House more than four years ago. He looks the perfect picture of health, and I think you may well be proud of him. On learning several weeks ago that he was stationed for the time at the Officers’ Training School at the picturesque town of Langres -- a real type of the old French medieval wall town and which I had the pleasure of seeing last year when I visited General [John] Pershing -- I planned to keep that fact in mind so that I could later see him. Although I invited him to take dinner with me the evening of the day on which I saw him, a previous engagement on his part prevented this pleasure for me. I shall hope, however, another time to have him at our home. All of our boys have distinguished themselves over here and placed the name of America very high in the estimation of our allied friends. With my kindest regards, Believe me, my dear Mr. Speaker, Very sincerely yours, (Signed) W. G. Sharp.