Washington also wrote a letter to the Press in 1916. See his biographic notes in that section.
(W. I. Smith)
Biographical Note:
(continued)
|
Wrote from there May 8, received 28th. Said not to worry, for he was only among millions and they were in camp loafing and resting. Next letter wrote in about a week. He had crossed the channel to France and had an exciting time getting across. He was back of the lines about two months and went clear across France. Was in Paris several hours and had to hike 15 miles and carry 65 pounds and wear an overcoat, would go three miles and rest 10 minutes and when they got to their destination everyman threw down their pack and lopped over on it and got there on empty stomachs too. Hadn't had anything to eat for 24 hours. This all over life seems like living again. Were five hours walking the 15 miles. This was written June 27th, one July 2nd and one July 8th. Just back for rest, was in his first battle on July 4th. He said we had some fireworks too and the morning of July 31st at four o'clock he was wounded in the bicep muscle of the left arm, larger than a silver dollar. He was in three hospitals, went to second one 36 miles in ambulance and third one traveled two days and nights on train and was in three camps. He had his ears treated too.
He wrote when he left Camp Gordon he was so glad it was so hot and they had nothing eat but hash, prunes, bread and coffee and he was kitchen police on the train and he sure did eat everything he could lay his hands on, and that was nothing to what they went through over there.
I commenced a letter for the Pink Press Last year, but gave it up.
Wednesday morning, January 15th a lovely morning and I must bake some pumpkin pies for my old pal, as he loves good eats about as well as any Smith or Westall I ever knew. We have chickens and plenty of eggs, so I can put some in my pies without paying 70c a dozen. We live as near like the farmers as we can. Put up everything in the fall. Some go to theaters and have nothing for their breakfast next morning.
On the morning the armistice was signed you ought to have seen me. We got up when the noise began. Whistles, bells and guns making all the noise they could. I ran and got the dishpan and ran out on the porch and around the house, beating as loud as I could while my old pal was in the house smoking his pipe of clay.
We were so rejoiced, but still a heaviness on our hearts yet, as we hadn't heard from our dear Boy since September 16th. Was in the hospital just ready to go back to his company. Then we got the letter written October 13th and he was gassed. Received that letter November 25th, another 26th and 27th. Last one wrote November 4th. Oh, we were happy then, still in hospital.
Airplane just went over. They go over every nice day. We saw twenty-nine go over our house at once and five or eight lots of times. The Chanute Field is about 10 miles north of here. One of our friends came home from France, and when he arrived at Newport News, Virginia, from Brest, France, he told us he hadn't had a haircut or shave for six months and his hair was away down on his shoulders and he could put his mustache back of his ears. He was in the front and in that pocket we read about and never got a scratch, but most of his company were wounded and killed, poor boys.
W. G. Westall and wife were here last Sunday and they are still able to eat. We ate Christmas dinner with them.
Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Smith
211 West Tremont Street
|
Covington, Oklahoma
January 15, 1919
Editor Press and Dear Friends:
As this is our first opportunity of writing a letter for the Pink Press Edition and Sumner has always been my hometown, Mr. Stamats spending the last 10 years of his life in and around there, we need no introduction.
On leaving there last April we located in Augusta, Kansas, lived there until August, coming to Covington, Oklahoma, a thriving little oil town of 1500 inhabitants. They were building a beautiful school building, 12 rooms, with gymnasium and all other modern improvements, when we came. Have two churches, the Baptist and M. E., Where we have a good Sunday school with an enrollment of 90. The boys, Robert and Maxwell, are enjoying good health in the west, but think there is no place like Sumner and their little friends there. Although we have met lots of new people and find them to be true blue, we have a longing to get back to old Illinois and expect to make a visit there as soon as Robert is out of school.
We are getting along nicely and shall be glad to hear from any of our old friends and neighbors of Sumner and Petty vicinity.
Wishing all prosperity throughout the year nineteen and nineteen.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. O. O. Stamats
---------
Decatur, Illinois
February 2, 1919
Editor Press:
I left Lukin September 7, 1887, and have practically been absent ever since and there have been many changes since then. It is new Lukin now and I can only see it as it was when I lived there and I would appear as old Rip Van Winkle when he awoke out of his long sleep. I would know nobody and nobody would know me. I still viewed it in the scenes of the "Old Oaken Bucket”. Oh how dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood when fond recollection presents them to view. Yes, those who were my schoolmates are getting old now. I would hardly know them. Even though Lukinite man is getting old. My best friend, J. A. Barekman, has passed to the Great beyond. While there are many sad things in life, yet there is lots of joy. Since I left Lukin I have had a good time, saw lots, got lots of education by experience. Don't begrudge it. If I had stayed in Lukin would not have had any experience. Wish I could relate all of my experience and all of the fun I have had to all my friends down in old Lawrence County. No use lamenting over the old Homestead. Like Esau did, just get busy where you are and make things go and you will have plenty to eat and to spare. Sorrow comes to every household, so we must be ready as old age must get out of the way and make room for the young to take our place. Be as the great financier, J. P. Morgan, who died in Italy. In his will, the first article: I commit my soul into the hands of my Savior in full confidence that having redeemed it and washed it in his most precious blood he will present it faultless before the throne of my Heavenly Father. He had the full confidence of the life beyond. Let us all be as he was, live the life when we come to the end. Get as much good clean enjoyment out of life has possible, for we are going this way but onceI guess I had better close for this time and if these few lines get into the Pink Sheet I will come again and if any of my old Lukinite friends come this way and will just take the Riverside car and come to 557 Cleveland Avenue they will find the latch string hanging out.
Yours,
H. C. Sutherland, Sr
|
(Mrs. O. O. Stamats)
Biographical Note:
Margaret P. Stamats was born December 14, 1888. She married Oscar Stamats born May 1880 in Ohio. He died in 1926. Margaret died May 29, 1985. Both are buried in the Sumner cemetery.
|
