Laura E. Birkhead letter to Isabelle Stark - November 21, 1918
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Paris 15 Rue Petraque,[November] 21st 1918. My Dear Isabel, I owe you an apology for this long delay in answering your letter. I have been sick two months and a half. The first time since I have been in France that I have had to call in a doctor, I didn't have the "flu" only a balky liver, a stomach that wanted to turn inside out and a severe cold brought on by wearing leaky shoes rather than pay a hundred francs (20.00) for a new pair. When I last wrote to Miss Dougan I thought it the opportune time for you to come over,help was needed in every service, [MS illegible: 1 wd] has wrought
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a wonderful change. It is all over "over here" except the shouting which we can't well do until we get home, One of the boys said to me "the French do not know how to celebrate, just wait until we get back, they will hear our hurrahs around the world. I am afraid some of them will die of joy when they set foot on American soil. The excitement of going in battle is giving way to the homesick feeling the boys need to be looked after and cared for more now than ever. There has been such a radical change the boys hardly know how to adjust themselves to the new circumstances. The work for the children has increased rather
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rather than dimished. Every mother wants some new clothes to take back home with them. When I say home, in a large percent of the cases, it only means the spot that was once called home. They are wild to return even to the ruins and stand in line all day trying to be admitted to the office where their papers are issued which only gives the privilege of returning when the government considers the time suitable, nobody knows when that time will come it may be six months or longer, not at least until the peace conference is over and the indemnities ajusted
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Arthur Partridge was here on leave while I was sick. We talked a number of things about you. I told him I had written Miss D for you [MS illegible: 1 wd] get your plans made to come over. He said "when Isabel makes up her mind to come over she will get here" He was with the French army but expected to be changed this winter. He had planned to go home for thanksgiving but was disappointed he may get there by christmas I am trying to get my papers ready to go home with Madame Schinise, we are going to take several hundred garments to the Belgian Refugees, it is Leon
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wont it be dandy if some of the Neosho things we have made gets up to Brussells. Madame [MS illegible: 1 wd] has become quite interested in you girls she thinks Miss Dougan very pretty. When we buy material we always name it for the source from which the money came. We have quite a few things I have put aside to take to Belgium she will take them if I do not get to go. She speaks very little English but says Leon has improved so much that I will enjoy talking to him, Her friends write of the terrible conditions there. She tries to send them things
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to eat but so much has been lost she says she is going to wait and take something with her It is only the last few weeks she has been able to get letters. They tell her that her home has not been destroyed which makes her happy she has been the most faithful worker we have had. When she keeps us it takes her mind from her troubles. She is a refugee but one that had enough money with her to be independent besides M. Shenise has had a position with a friend here who was in business They have been here four years, You keep hustling and we will have a grand donation for Belgium - My love to you family, & all the Neosho Club - yours L. E. Birkhead
Details
| Title | Laura E. Birkhead letter to Isabelle Stark - November 21, 1918 |
| Creator | Birkhead, Laura E. |
| Source | Birkhead, Laura E. Letter to Isabelle Stark. 21 November 1918. Birkhead, Laura E., Papers, 1917-1920. C1707. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | During World War I, Laura Birkhead was involved with refugee work and providing clothing for children in France and Belgium. In this November 21, 1918, letter to Isabelle Stark of Neosho, Missouri, Birkhead wrote of the Armistice and discussed ways in which Isabelle could contribute to the war effort by supporting her organization. Birkhead also described her experiences in post-war France. |
| Subject LCSH | Rationing; World War, 1914-1918--War work--Red Cross; World War, 1914-1918--War work--Women; World War, 1914-1918, Refugees; World War, 1914-1918, France; World War, 1914-1918, Civilian Relief; World War, 1914-1918, Children; Refugees--Belgium; Refugee |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | C1707 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| 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 | November 21, 1918 |
| Language | English |