Ernest McKeighan letter to Family - December 25, 1917
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[110th Engineers letterhead] Xmas Day 12/25/1917 Dear ones I arrived safely and ran into a cold north wind the first thing. Had not been here a day before the farms north of camp started to move over. It is going to be mighty lonesome here I expect. Did not feel much like eating the big feed today as most every body had their women folks along, except Captain Van Pelt and myself. Captain Hedrick, Major Stayton Lts Cunningham, Nooman, Curry, Mitchell all had wives and Major Stayton had his son. Lt Thorborne (Shanty) had his Mother, Father and brother. Seems funny but Major S was the only one who had a son or daughter present, seems too bad to me, that none of them seem to care about having children with them. The dinning rom was very pretty with evergreen and mislletoe, colored lights etc. The Jazz band was
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[page 2] present. We had turkey, dressing, candied sweet potatoes (candied in sorghum) mashed potatoes, corn, coffee, cocoa, milk oysters, mince and pumpkin pie and belly ache. Then, tonight they had a big Xmas tree for the men at which red cross boxes, apples and pipes and tobacco were given followed by a couple of boxing matches this a.m. they had an athletic meet but it was so cold the men could hardly stand it outside. Am sending the film Mr Moore took of me in the overcoat would be glad if An could send be a few to mail to friends. I sure have been busy since I returned, papers piled up on my desk and new equipment to look after. Had a large time yesterday picking out 18 horses for the company They are tightening up on the visiting here, understand they allow no one in the Aeroplane grounds now. Mr & Mrs Williamson (Mrs Kyden parents) and Mr Kryder were on the train coming down. It was a godsend having that box of
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[110th Engineers letterhead] [page 3] lunch along, as the first place we had a chance to get anything to eat was at Anadarka (1130 AM) Train late as usual. Got into Lawton about 430 PM, should have been 1030 AM Mr & Mrs Dana B. Cox were on the train coming to visit dear John and I divided my lunch with them and Mr Taylor (my recruit) The boys in the Co had a great time this noon, had a fine feed (better than ours) and many of them had their parants with them. They dragged we officers over and we all had to make speeches and drink (in water) toasts to our safe spending of next Xmas here with our loved ones after the war is over. They assuming it will be over by then. Have my new glasses and outside of hurting the backs of my ears
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[page 4] am pleased with them, as they do not blow off. My others blew off yesterday, the wind was so strong all expressed regred, Carrie, that you and C.L. were not here today and asked me to convey their regards to you and wish you a Mery Xmas and Happy New Year. Some travesty, I take it, wishing Happy N.Y. to loved ones of those on way to war. Eh? Hope you all spent a reasonably happy Xmas and had a good feed at least you were warm which is a luxury. All kinds of the usual rumors flying about, but am getting like Lt Moore.
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110TH ENGINEERS Captain McKeighan LAWTON [December] 26 1917 6 - PM [Oklahoma] [stamp] Mrs E.E. McKeighan 2219 Tracy Ave Kansas City [Missouri]
Details
| Title | Ernest McKeighan letter to Family - December 25, 1917 |
| Creator | McKeighan, Ernest |
| Source | McKeighan, Ernest. Letter to Family. 25 December 1917. Ernest E. McKeighan Papers. 2005.14. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | Ernest McKeighan sent this letter to his wife and daughter from Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma on Christmas Day. In the letter, McKeighan discussed Christmas dinner at the camp and celebrating the holiday with his fellow soldiers. McKeighan served as part of Company E, 110th Engineers, 35th Division during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | United States. Army. Camp Doniphan (Okla.); United States. Army. Division, 35th; Christmas |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 2005.14 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 25, 1917 |
| Language | English |