James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - April 8, 1919
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Rec April 21 Post Montierchaume April 8 1919 Dear Mother & Others On my return from Paris Ifound your letter and one or two others. I was sorry to hear about Uncle Arthurs death. Ive been rather worried for fear the flu would get some of you. If any of you take it be sure and get a nurse and take care of yourselves right. Thats what that [$1,100.00] is for. I got the papers and enjoyed them very much when I read them I realized that Iwasnt as young as I used to be. Also got a letter from Wagon Mound saying my books were all packed and ready to ship may be some day you’ll
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get them. Dont believe the U.S. newspaper talk about us getting home so fast and dont even begin to look for me before July. glad William likes the wheel if he needs marbles or a ball and glove you’d better get it for him - get Elizabeth a ring or a necklace of some kind I tryed to find something for her in Paris but the stuff Iwanted was out of reach. an article an American wants goes up in price just as soon as he looks at it. Such a thing makes one pretty sore but probably we do the same thing if the fighting had been in the U.S.A. instead of here. Im telling you, all this war may seem hard to you but be thankful it wasnt fought in the states
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and be darn glad you are an American woman - and no other for according to what I’ve seen the women of the states are the best and absolutely treated the best of any nation in the world by the men. Paris - well Iam not artistic enough for Paris - it reminds me of our world fairs where we build beautiful gardens and statues to last for a few months - while Paris has built them to last for ages. The streets are always full of people - fussing laughing and love making - all the cafes have tables on the side walks where you can sit down and watch the crowd pass - and they pass for hours. Taxis are the cheapes thing and at the price of shoe leather it is cheaper to ride than walk - that is if you aren’t afraid to ride cause the taxi cabs are little devils smaller than a ford and you get in the put
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[page 4] her in high and let her go - They have no traffic regulations and you seldom see a cop. If a person walking gets hit by a cab they arrest the person hit for getting in the road and let the taxi driver go free. I guess it is a wonderful city but as Isay Idont understand art very well, so dont care much for a lot of stuff they call beautiful I preferre the mountains of [New Mexico] any time. The people as a rule dress well - all tho they aren’t as classy as American women. Altho they do know how to entertain a man better than the average american girl but thats what they are taught from the cradle up. The men dress well but there cloths dont fit, or at least we wouldnt accept them as a fit if our tailor made them. The most popular cloth for ladies suits seem to be black with a white
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stripe or a white check. hats any old shape will do altho they sure can make classy turbans. Iguess thats about all Ican tell you about cloths - Food was good but Major Blaine and I were glad to get back, and get some real ham and eggs. american style without fuss or feathers to make you think that the cook had found away to improve natures greatest dish. Since starting Ihave attended an officers meeting walked all over the camp inspecting the sanitation and general conditions of the Camp eaten dinner and put a detach of men to work. so you see Ihave been rather busy the last two hours. guess now Ihave nothing to do but finish this letter and write some more Iwas surprised when Igot out my Xmas Handkerchief to use while in Paris to find Marys card, I hadnt unwrapped
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them as Iknew if Idid Iwould use them and they dont stay white very long in this country and you know how I like white handkerchiefs - Tell Mary Thankyou. Did Itell you Igot a letter from Joe telling of Uncle Arthurs death the same day yours came - Idont understand why his mail gets thru faster than mine, but I guess it does. This is a pretty long letter so I’ll stop and leave something to be said next time. Hope Ihavent left anything unsaid or need to unsay anything Ihave said. Call up Mrs Lankford and give her my regards - Love to all of you Jim Lt JR Davis 816 Pioneer Inf. A.E.F. A.P.O. 738 APO = post office No - havent given it to you before as I thought we might be moved before a letter would reach you -
Details
| Title | James Robert Davis letter to Mother and Others - April 8, 1919 |
| Creator | Davis, James Robert |
| Source | Davis, James Robert. Letter to Mother and Others. 08 April 1919. James Robert Davis Collection, 1918-1919. 1994.41. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | James Robert Davis wrote this letter to his mother and other relatives from Montierchaume, France on April 8, 1919. Davis described his recent trip to Paris while on leave. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; World War, 1914-1918--Occupied territories; Influenza; Automobiles; Military leaves and furloughs |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; 816th Pioneer Infantry |
| Site Accession Number | 1994.41 |
| 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 | April 8, 1919 |
| Language | English |