William Porter Letter to William Clark Breckenridge - December 23, 1917
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R. WILLIAM PORTER WHILE-A-WAY LODGE OCEANS SPRINGS, [Mississippi] [December 23, 1917] Dear Friend Breckenridge. Glad to have your letter of four days ago. The mention of your daughters marriage call up many old memories. I too knew the Lambert family very well. [ms illegible: 1 wd] the Sr in Alexandria [Virginia]. Am surprised to know A.W. has no stock in the Lambert Co. Many years ago I suggested to Jordan L. Sr to make a partner. His reply was that there must be only one "Lambert" - the [ms illegible: 1 wd] Pity the "one" was not A.W. I knew the family when they lived in a side entrance house on Thomas St. They were happy tho poor. I did not know the present [ms illegible: 1 wd] very well. Their father offered me - at one time - one-half interest in Listerine for $500. I believed it would be a success, but my professional training forbade my having stock in a proprietary preparation. Suppose I might have been paying [ms illegible: 1 wd] tax on an income had I accepted. As it is I have enough - I think - and buy Listerine. The Lambert Co used to send a box of Listerine each Xmas Till I came away and I suppose, would yet did I ask it. Remember me very kindly to A.W. and his good wife. I also knew Dr. Webbs family. She was a splendid young woman and I have no doubt the son has [ms illegible: 1 wd] for both parents. He is lucky in his choice of parents and choice of wife.
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I am interested in your report of the Leader [ms illegible: 1 wd]. The poor news agents forget that the Germans never have but 150,000 men on the Russ frontier and that don’t make much difference when their 3 1/2 millions and the Austria 1 1/2 millions are stopped. I verily believe the war is over except the grinding down. The Anglo French leaders are not going to risk their men and slaughter them as the mad Kaiser does. They will wear them out with the uniformed artillery and the splendid man power. Lord Norcleff ([ms illegible: 1 wd] and work) says the Allies [ms illegible: 1 wd] out number the central powers - [ms illegible: 1 wds] 2 to 1 - [ms illegible: 2 wds] men and guns - Some reverses may come but the mills of God are grinding - slowly but grinding "exceeding small" Yes I am more [ms illegible: 1 wd] than ever. Get your hemp roap ready. There will be some surprise [ms illegible: 2 wd] long. They tell me that every pro-German in the country has his rating. King regards to you decipher and Lieut Lambert. Mrs. Parker joins me in best Xmas wishes. Write us again [ms illegible: 1 wd] and long - as [ms illegible: 3 wds] to say to me. Yours as ever [William] Porter
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Newspaper clipping] THE CALL. (To the memory of Lacey Snyder, one of the best-loved boys of the South, who died in Camp Humphrey, April, 1918.) The will is heavy. From our Southern coast Brave men have gone. The ones we loved the most Press on to fill the ranks of Freedom’s host, With eyes unpraised to where the Eastern skies Look down on war’s fierce ranks, where bleeding lies England and France and Italy, where flies The banner of a new democracy. Our boys calls to the men across the sea, "We come! We come to help you to be free." From North and South, from East and farthest West They come, the strongest, truest and the best, Each with high purpose in his dauntless breast. What matters where the sacrifice is made? Upon the sea with courage undismayed, Or in the camp with ax or saw or gun, What matters it so that the fight is won? * I see him sitting by the dying fire, The youngest born-son of a noble sire. Ancestral portraits hang upon the wall, Heir of ages hastening to the call Of Washington, of Lincoln and of Lee. And Wilson’s call for men and liberty. "I’m ready, father, and I go," he said, And then there fell on his devoted heart A father’s benediction, "To my son, They country needs thee. So, God’s will be done." * The fire is out. Upon the ancient walls The shadows gather, while the night voice calls And Southern breezes touch the whispering pine, Laden with incense from the jassamine. Then morning came. Beyond the Eastern sky A glory shone, and on its wings a cry, "The captain of thy soul hath need of thee," He joins the heavenly ranks of liberty With Washington, with Lincoln and with Lee. WILLIAM PORTER, M. D.
Details
| Title | William Porter Letter to William Clark Breckenridge - December 23, 1917 |
| Creator | Porter, William |
| Source | Porter, William. William Porter Letter to William Clark Breckenridge. 23 December 1917. Breckenridge, William Clark, Papers, 1808-1936. A2030. The Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter, dated December 23, 1917, William Porter wrote William Clark Breckenridge concerning Listerine and the number of soldiers in Europe. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--France; World War, 1914-1918--Germany; World War, 1914-1918--Austria; World War, 1914-1918--Russia; World War, 1914-1918--Propaganda |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A2030 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| 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. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | December 23, 1917 |
| Language | English |