A letter home

Editor's note: Leroy Owens, Fred Yates, Ollie Hedges and Vernon Davis were the first four draftees from Carter County into the US Army when the United States joined with the Allies during World War I. All four received their basic training together at Camp Lewis, Washington. The following is an excerpt from a letter Leroy wrote to his mother, Mary Dorman Owens while stationed at Camp Lewis. We thank Jerry Cline for sending this letter to the Eagle in time to be published directly before Memorial Day.

Leroy Owens' letter home from basic training

October 19th, 1917

Camp Lewis, Wash. Dear Mother- Received your welcome letter today. I spent this afternoon at Lake American. Ollie (Hedges) and I went up town just before noon and took dinner at a short order house, then went to the boat house where we got a drink or two of soft stuff (the only kind to be had in Washington.) We strolled along the shore taking in the scenery, when a couple of nice country girls asked us if we would not like to have a little lunch with them. Of course we told them yes. They were having a picnic dinner on the shore, about twenty in the bunch, including several girls, but mostly old gentlemen and ladies. Talk about sociable. I guess they were that. I didn't get much time to visit with the girls, as a nice old lady engaged me in a conversation and I couldn't get a word in with a saw and hammer, but I managed to get the fried chicken, doughnuts and cake down without any interruption. One of the girls gave me three pickles the first heat, and her mother remarked I was sure there eating pickles. I assured her that a fellow needed them so far away from home. After the lunch we went to the pavilion to hear the music. Some band and a fine floor. I guess you could slip about six "Play Houses" inside of it. The music was so tempting that I had to take on a few dances. They dance the waltz, one-step and the fox trot. Maybe you think that I didn't fox trot on some of the young ladies' feet. It was rather ticklish to fox trot the first time, but it seems simple. The other Carter County boys are in the adjoining barracks. Ollie and I have been getting along fine, no martial punishment yet. Ollie certainly is a fine man now and a good soldier when it comes to discipline. I sure feel fine. We haven't been mustered in yet, but have our uniforms and a wind of pay day. This Company is mostly Montana boys with a few from Wyoming and a few regulars. The happiest bunch I have ever seen. Night before last I was put on sentinel duty for the first time. Each company takes its turn to guard the warehouses and streets, mostly for fire. You must halt all who go or come and have them recognized. If they fail to do so our orders are to shoot, but all we have to shoot with now is our mouth. The streets, however, have a nice lot of pretty, round cobble stones. Troops have been pouring into the camp by the train loads. Us four from Ekalaka are still in the same company, but they make many transfers. It is an awful aggravation to the officers. As soon as a bunch get to know something they are snatched out of that company. A man told me to take a tip from him if we wanted to stay in the company, and pretend to know nothing but farming when the fellow comes around with his paper after information. How is grandma and give her my love. Tell her I am now learning how to stick a dutchman in the belly. Lovingly your son. Roy