Charles E. H. Bates Family Correspondence, 1899-1930 - 2

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This collection documents the experiences of a California family during the early 20th Century, including the First World War. There are 109 letters written by Charles E.H. Bates beginning in his childhood in Alameda, California, and ending in the late 1920s as he begins a career in medicine. Letters sent from California and France while Bates served with the American Expeditionary Forces date from January 1918 through May 1919. There is a larger collection of 784 letters to Bates from his family:  father, mother, and four brothers, as well as friends, including the woman who became his wife. Please note that historical materials in the Bates Collection may include viewpoints and values that are not consistent with the values of the California State Library or the State of California and may be considered offensive. Materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period but views are in no way endorsed by the State Library. The California State Library’s mission is to provide credible information services to all Californians and, as such, the content of historical materials should be transcribed as it appears in the original document.   

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at the same time was ordered to report at Hoboken on the 12th so they are being sent over very quickly now —

I know he will be a splendid Chaplain — He has always been so good to the sick, the suffering and the needy.

He was thought very highly of by all the people in the church and out of it. He was presented with several purses of money, one containing fifty dollars one forty five and another containing six hundred dollars besides numerous other gifts —

Do forgive the rotted appearance of this epistle. If I had time I'd write it over again — But such are the exigencies of war — with flies — or when with

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No, that was not easy, for I was glad that she had the opportunity but I wished that I had it too. She is to be home on Monday morning. She has been in Portland for some weeks being treated by a specialist for inflamation [inflammation] of the inner ear.

He said it would very soon have been a mastoid had she not gone to him just when she did.

She has had a pleasant visit, however, having been able to attend luncheons and other functions so has been altogether an invalid.

Now that the rainy season is over I hope that you enjoy

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Camp Kearney more than at first —

Your Mother told me of Dick's commendations from Secretary Daniels — That is something to be very proud of always showing as it does what a fine character his is.

According to a notice received by your Uncle Gerald, his son William Arthur Panton has arrived safely in France I suppose —

Our rector who has been at a Chaplain's training school for five weeks at Camp Zachary Taylor won his commission as 1st Lieutenant and

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with one [underlined] fly, which had managed in some unaccountable way to get into the house and worried me while resting.

I hope Edward dear, that you will not have to go over the ocean very soon. When General Pershing ordered the Chaplains over in such a hurry it must be because there is such a shortage of Chaplains in the army. Only three to each regiment I think – so I hope that you will not have to go very soon if at all.

I have heard nothing of Kathleen now for some weeks – I only hope she has escaped the savage Huns. You know that she and another

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nurse from the Red Cross Hospital at Treport, France [Le Treport, France] to C.C.S. just behind the Canadian lines. The last I heard they were being moved some miles farther [north – crossed out] back for safety. She said that the noise of battle was terrific, but she had no sense of fear.

We think that where this C.C.S. was stationed was about ten miles north of Bethune.

Harold calculated that from the scale of miles on a world map. Of course she could not say where she was but in one of her letters mentioned that on the way they had changed cars at Bethune.

Of course she may not be so near as ten miles. Bethune you know is one of the places the Germans were trying

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to get.

When you see cousins Henry and Effie will you give them my love Edward. Also cousins Emily and Blanche.

And to dear Lesley give my fond love. I send the same to you my dear Edward.

All unite with me in congratulations.

Your affectionate Grandmother

Susanna Panton Rixon

This is the day of the great eclipse. It is darkening now for it. — Did you ever receive a card which Harold wrote to you?

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[Imprinted: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU [centered] 277 PINE STREET [centered] TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560 [centered]

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.,]

June 11th 1918

My dear old Snedward:

You are a good boy to write to your Mother as often as you do. It certainly cheers us both to get letters from our absent sons and to know that they are all doing their duty. Jos left this morning for Willows where he has gone to work for the Western Rice Fields Co in which Mr. Linderman is interested.

It is very hot here, yesterday was blazing, and to day bids fair to be as hot. In a letter you wrote Jos recently, you said you might have to borrow $100.00 from me, but I have never heard any more about it. You know whenever you need any money, you can have it, so don't be uncomfortable about your equipment. Get whatever is necessary and call on me. It is going to be lonely around our house, particularly for Mother. I want her to go to San Diego and stay a month so that she can see something of you and Les besides having a rest. Do you think she could get a room and bath at a reasonble figure.

I wish you would write her about it. I wanted her and Jos to go down in the car, but somehow they did not get started. I think it was because Jos had to be here to register for the draft.

Last night Helen & Martha came to dinner

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