World War I Collection

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

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU 277 PINE STREET TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., [handwritten:] Sept 17th 1918

My dear old Snedward:

We received yesterday your letter written about 3 hours before landing, also two Kodacs [Kodaks] all of which we were very glad to get, as well as the picture post cards of Winchester, with the picture (hand drawn) of your ancestor Edw III at the top. I have had the car thoroughly overhauled, and a week ago I drove it with Mother to Nelson to see Jos. We were gone three days and I drove 439 miles, so you see I am getting to be some chauffeur. Jos was fine and seems to enjoy the work. He gets $100.00 a month and board. Since we returned, a rain storm came up which lasted two days and nights. They say 4" of rain fell in Alameda. It was a very good thing for Alameda, as the lawns & gardens have taken on a new lease of life, since we are curtailed in the use of water and cannot sprinkle, but it did a lot of damage in the fruit & hay sections. I have written Jos to know how the rice stood it, as it was reported here that it had been beaten down by the rain, but I have not heard from him yet. We took Kink along with us for two reasons, 1st no one to leave him with, 2nd to show Jos. He was a regular nuisance and wanted to climb all over us in the front seat. At night we left him hid in the back seat, in the garage, and drew the curtains. At Chico, Mother

for Military reasons --- he [underlined] said "If he had not [underlined] been behaving himself he would have been keep tight just [underlined] where he was! You need not worry about that"!. & chuckled & laughed as Col. S. always does, so goodnaturedely [good naturedly].

He meant "might" [crossed out] you would never have gotten a transfer if you had not made good where you were --- but tell us dearest when -ever you can what [underlined] you can --- Thank you for the dear little fern from Winchester Cathedral it is very interesting --- we are so glad you got a photo at Winchester & trust it will be good -- the Camp Mills ones are not [underlined] good. but are interesting if course the Cap etc - Darsonvilles have turned out better than we thought for which I am very glad, but they are not quite [underlined] what I wanted though I am glad to have them --- now that I have [illegible] better But perhaps these English one may be best -- I hope so -- I enclose a letter

& I hope he won't be taken from her now we are all glad he is engaged. She is a fine girl whom Aunt E knows & likes --- Maybe I told you this before Aunt E & Jack are househunting as they don't like that neighborhood out houses are scarce now. very [underlined]

Fondest love my own dear one from each one of us -- You are always [underlined] in our thoughts & prayers.

Did I tell you that Henry & Efie did not think your Dawsonville photo good enough -- the eyes are too dull --your eyes are so bright always they say & it is true -- So we hope your Winchester one will be better.

I forwarded you a beautiful [underlined] letter from dear Les to you lately I hope it reaches you safely. It is [underlined] a wonderful letter, I know you will think so. I hope it reaches you safely. He wrote it before they got orders to leave ---

God bless & protect you always. Your loving Mother Rebecca Helen Bates

727 Paru Street Oct 5th 1918

Dearest Edward.

Your photo from Winchester came today, and we are delighted [double underlined] with them -- we think them the best you have had for a very long time -- The expression on both is so good & so cheerful & bright that it looks as if you were right here talking to us -- & is a very great comfort in that way.

The other late photos we have are none of them cheerful enough to be natural. These are both [underlined] bright cheerful & natural in expression so we are very [underlined] happy over them & so glad you had them done dear --Father wants them both --- framed to hang in his office & I [underlined] want both

[written vertically on left side:] When you write again if you think of it, tell us what those Winchester photos cost will you dear --- as I may want to get more of them:

and although it was infernally hot, we had a great visit together. Les of course said we ought not to have come down, no necessity for it, etc. but we went with him to the swimming pool, and there he said hello to a little girl of about 12. She looked at your Mother and said "Are you his mama" and asked me if I was his papa. When we said yes, she said, I knew you were coming as he said he was going away and had sent for us!! Les says she is mistaken!!

Well old Les left on the 1st inst, for Garden City with 15 others to the advanced Bombing School. He says he is afraid the war will be over before he gets across, but I dont think it will be over until some time next year. This acceptance of Wilson's 14 terms, is buncumbe [bunkum] for the purpose of gaining an armistice during the only fighting month left this year, so that they can retire without loss to a better position.

Your photos from Winchester have arrived. They are both good, but the one sitting down with a 3/4 body length is the better, and it is a beauty. It is I think the best picture I have seen of you, and every one that sees it is delighted. Mrs Durney was in last night and you might have thought you were her son the way she talked about you. She is very fond of you Edward and I dont see how she or any one else can help be. From your letter to Dick, I surmise that you have been detached from the 159th to go directly to the front where things are doing. Dick & Nor are disgusted to think that they, the regulars, are held back, while