Howard Lyford

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This collection consists of thirty-one letters written by Howard D. (Duke) Lyford to his family, primarily to his sister Lela. This collection documents Lyford’s military career after he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Without having gone through basic training, he was sent with Company D of the 2nd California Infantry to guard a copper company in Utah against possible enemy espionage. After five months he was sent to Camp Kearney for basic training, where he joined Company M of the 159th Infantry.

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think it is any wonder that I didn't take more cold under the circumstances.

The dance I wrote, and told you we were going to give was a big success, and the club went in the hole again with there Salt Lake music. There were about five club fellows, that came over and tried to break our affair up, by pretending to be drunk. They were told that if they couldn't act like gentlemen, there presence wasn't wanted, only in stronger terms. than that. It didn't take them long to leave. A couple of days after the dance, one of

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the directors of the club saw a bunch of us fellows down town, and wanted to know the reason we never came to any more of the club dances. He gave us a big "stall" about how we were always welcome, and that the club was always glad to have us. It all went in one ear and out the other, and to show our appreciation we are going to stage another dance Friday night, same night the club does. The latest reports are that we are going to stay here all winter. For my part I don't care how long this vacation lasts. At

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the present time we are doing three hours on one relief, and then off for eighteen, then three hours on and thirty-six off. That is pretty hard to take. If we do stay here during the winter we will certainly have some fun in the snow.

Four of us went to Salt Lake Saturday night, and witnessed "Watch Your Step" at the Salt Lake theatre. It was a good musical comedy, and a two dollar show at that. The Salt Lake theatre is Salt Lake City's leading theatre, and is run on the same principle as the Cort in S.F. It was a good theatre in its day, but it's day was 1862, when it was erected. The highest balcony is up in the air so far, that by the time we got to the depot I think the end of the show reached the people up in "nigger heaven." As I said before Saturday night was one stormy night. Lightening struck the electric wires in the theatre during the show, and bang went the spot light. No I wasn't scared. It is thirty days before my insurance policy expires. There was a coon in the show that got off some good jokes. About the only one I remember is this one

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that I am about to spring. Get ready. He said he had been drafted, but he hadn't decided what branch of the service to join. He said all his friends wanted him to join the "calvaree" cavalry, but nothing doing, because when that captain gives the order to retreat that he didn't want no horse holding him back. I am now a member of Co D. I have not received an official notice but the Co clerk says he saw it. I asked the captain if I could transfer about two weeks ago, and he told me he would do all he could for me, and I guess he did. I don't know what captain

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Sutherland will think about it, but I am looking out for my own interests. I have learnt enough about the co clerk job to stear clear of it as long as possible. It is all work, and when the captain hasn’t anybody else to ball out the clerk is the goat. Co D’s clerk and myself chum around quite a bit, and consequently I know from where I speak.

This is going to be a little bouquet for myself, but it is the truth. The captain received an order one day last week to send one man from this

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