World War I Collection

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH [centered] CLAUDE OREAR, Pastor [centered] ROANOKE, - ALABAMA [centered]

Jan 5 - 1920 -

My dear friend Bates --

Your letter was delayed in finding me but, by gum, it finally got to me. How glad I was to get it. It was like an oasis in a desert land. I have thought of you, old vet, a thousand and one times. And many times I said there I will write Bates a letter that will heap coals of fire upon his head for not writing me. Now what has happened? He beat me to it and here are coals of fire heaped upon my own head one inch thick and my hair singes and smells bad under this treatment but it served me rights. I am going to do better ever after.

Yes old pal I remember the road that had many turning but all y 'em "tuk" no nearer; to "der Woeht am Rhein." And Wasserbillig — yes it was a good service, and the book says "Where two or three," etc. 'Tenny rate I ares glad you held up my hands as did the children of Israel the hands of Moses. (See Bible)

Dear Bates — I hope you are cleansed ere this from all super fluidity & naughtiness (if any existed) and that both by speech and by example you point folks up hill. I am glad you are in school and from my observation it will never hurt you one whit but may

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH [centered] CLAUDE OREAR, Pastor [centered] ROANOKE, - ALABAMA [centered]

"sorter" help. How goes it with your little French maiden with gazelle eyes. Do those eyes still affect you 3 or 4 thousands miles away. I regret that you are still feeling the effects of war. I am persuaded though that your condition is far better than if you had been left on no man's land. You never would have been able to step off the car with the Croix and the D.S.C. and salute the "pretty nutbrown maidens with eyes so tender tender blue" or words to that affect [effect].

How is the U of Cal.? Is it still high as to rank? How does it stand as compared with Chi. my old alma mater? [SMILEY FACE DRAWN] O for Quist to be here to talk about you. I can't?, 'or perchance this May. Martin.

Well I am in the above city — slinging the gospills in allopathic doses to all. I am telling how if their sins should be as scarlet — that they may be made as white as snow Selah! "The fallen" [drawn wing?] ! [SMILEY FACE DRAWN] I hear from Chappie, [inserted] Storm Lake, IO, Quist _ Ironwood, Mich. Gausser - Grand Rapids, Mich - and the fore flusher - Talbot have not heard from.

I am willing to stand with any man so long as he stands with the right. My salary is 2500 next yr. at $3000 or $3300, So I am going to live any way until I die. I see you are homesick. Come to see me and stay a month at my expense and I will let you talk in my brick Church south de G. I am forever the same "Chappie"