World War I Collection

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

company to regimental camp to work in the bakery at Lind Vista, Cal. The captain would just as soon part with his right eye as one of his men. He stalled around for a little bit not knowing just who to send, when he happened to remember that he had three men in the company on temporary transfers (this is where I come in) He asked co clerk Becker who they were, and they were read off to him. He thought a minute, and then said who is this man Lyford, (you know that's me) Becker described me to him, and he said you are not going to send him are you? The captain said no, he is one of the best men we have in the company. Becker told me that himself. Oh, there is some class to me. I told Beck I was going right in and ask the captain for a raise.

I was some what disappointed with Salt Lake. I always had an idea that it was a pretty place, but it is just the opposite. Tell Mrs. Marsh I am going over there in the day time

morning for parts unknown. They left the Alameda Union Iron works the same day Co D left to come here, but I didn't have any idea they were going to Martinez. I thought a detachment from Co. A was stationed at Muir. You are a fine war correspondent, when you didn't tell me any thing about a movement as important as that. Company C. leaving Martinez is the best piece of news that we have heard since we arrived here, as they are in the first battalion with us, and we are now anxiously awaiting orders to entrain for Fort Mason or Linda Vista. I can't see where they get that "Unknown destination stuff" unless it is for a training camp, and then I cannot see there objection keeping it quiet. It certainly gave the bunch here some new life, and I only hope we get our orders within the next week. In the next letter you write try and tell me where C. went and if A is still at Benicia, and any other infromation you think might interest me. If we go to Fort Mason and join the rest of the regiment there I will have a chance to come home for a few hours and possibly a few days. It all depends on the circumstances. If we go over the Salt Lake-Los Angeles route I will be completely out of luck. If we go to Frisco and then to Linda Vista it will make a trip of about two thousand miles, while if we go direct it is only 721. It is 921 miles to San

Three of us made a trip to Salt Lake a few days ago. The state fair was going on there, and it was rotten. The more I see of that burg the more I admire Pacheco.

I wrote a letter to Ruth yesterday and sent it to Martinez. If she is still there, and you read her letter you will think this is a carbon copy.

Well Neevah dear, I have told you everything I know so will say goodbye for the present. Norma has never answered my letter. Tell Per to kind of "lay off" of her and give her time to write, and to write himself once in awhile.

Love to all, "Duke"

dance that the people of Garfield never will forget. I was supposed to go to Salt Lake with Abe today but I changed my mind. We will make some showing when we march down the streets of Garfield on our departure. They will have a chance to see the longest co in the west together for once.

I enlisted June the second nine teen hundred and seventeen A.D. Why do you want to know? I am glad I can say enlisted and not forced in.

Well Lela It's too darn cold to write anymore. I am enclosing a little poem the co clerk just presented me with and also a couple of pictures of a few dignified individuals. I hope this is the last letter I send from Garfield. The unexpected happened I got a letter from Per.

Love to all

"Duke"