James E. Henschel letter to Mrs. Leopold H. Henschel - June 1, 1919
Transcript
June 1st, 1919 Dear Mother: Missed last week's completely. Too much to do, or too lazy, or too many changes or some such rotten excuse. Anyway, there's a lot of news for today's. Went to Wiesbaden, theoretically to attend the races and horse show given by the French who now inhabit the town. Did see some very remarkable riding, ut that was not all of the three days by a long ways. Quite a wonderful city, is Wiesbaden, and very modern. A mighty fine place to spend a vacation and a lot of money; they say that one can be cured of most any illness there, or forget it - about the same thing. Also acquire it. (By the way, am I doubling up on this Wiesbaden business? It sounds mighty as though I had written these things before to some one, so if this read like last month's newspaper, turn aside this first page.) The town is a playground built by the German government for its rich people. there are few commercial houses of any size there, and the hotels are mostly of the "Palace" type; that is, very expensive - in normal times. The streets are all well paved and clean, the avenues wide and well parked, and the buildings for the greater part quite new. It seems rather funny to find a city over here that is not more than a half century old. Of course, the town is old, like all towns here are, but there are few old buildings left now. Took several assorted baths, a number of snap-shots, found a wild Australian leftenant, talked the French service park out of some twenty gallons of gasoline, saw the races and the new Kurhaus, where the Kaiser's seat in the concert hall is still reserved for him, spent most of my money, and started up the Rhine, still with the Australian in tow in the general direction of Coblenz. Get out a Baedeker and look up the Rhine Valley. It's one of the most beautiful rides that I have ever taken, and one of the most picturesque. The Dutch civilians all call the Rhine Valley "Kolossal", but far be it from me to say anything so horrible about something wonderful. The hills on either side of the river are great sheer piles of stone, all covered with vines; the top most crest of each hill carries the ruins of some massive old castle, silhouetted against the sky. I can see now where the wild German legends that I read when in Grammar school came from. It's magnificent; even those of us who find it hard to admit anything good that is labelled German, have to say that about it. Am sending a number of photos taken on the trip - as soon as they come back from the shop. Don't blame the oldtimers for establishing the family residence on top of these cliffs; the view is wonderful, and when it comes to fighting a battle there with axes and clubs - the field of operations is ideal. After our return to Trier, we acquired a new MTO, with a lot of new ideas, a new system of routine, and an earlier reveille. We have forgiven him everything except that earlier reveille. Capt. Kennedy is a pretty good sort of cuss, though, in spite of all that.
Transcript
Found Mother's letter, telling of Ramsey's return home. That certainly is fine; I don't need to ask whether or no he is glad to get there. And today came Dad's letter, telling that Harvey will also be home in a few days. Some one of these days I'm going to "bust in" on the family at mess myself. Don't know just when - but some one of these days. Thanks for the Ivanhoe car; sort of figured that the other was looking rather out of date. Also am glad to learn that it is such a good year for Ivanhoe; but then, any year is a good year for #446, when it retains such good brothers as you and I, Dad. You'd better get the coaching class of yours all primed for a candidate; I've got to go to school before you all would let me past the street doors. Mrs. Charles Douglas Fisher sends me the announcement of her marriage. I guess it was the Mrs., for I have never met Mr. C.D. as yet. Now that Lucile Rockwell is to know as Mrs. Fisher - who under the sun is to write me that annual letter? I hope he's a decent sort of fellow, for Lucile always was mighty fine; also that she may be very happy. That's nearly all the news. Dope has it that we leave here some time the first of July. Some of my boys have it all figured out that they will get home just in time to starve all winter - and that's about right for some of them. Well - there's no use kicking. My love to all of you at home, per always.
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Mrs. Leopold H. Henschel - June 1, 1919 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Mrs. Leopold H. Henschel. 1 June 1919. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated June 1, 1919, Henschel wrote his mother telling of his trip to Wiesbaden, Germany where he attended horse races and shows. Henschel also noted the return of his brother, Ramsey, home. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.51 |
| 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 | June 1, 1919 |
| Language | English |