Letter 96 ~ November 16, 1918

Minnie writes me a long letter from Parkerson's farm in Sherman Township, Riley County, Kansas where she is boarding. She tells me she became scared during a storm while alone at the Parkerson’s and ran to a neighbor's farm. The wet weather and the muddy roads prevent our getting together this weekend.

Addressed to Pvt. Ward C. Griffing, Co. E 20th Infantry, Camp Funston, Kansas
Sherman [Kansas]

[Saturday morning] November 16, 1918

Dearest Ward:

We sure have had a siege of bad weather up here this weekend. I had planned to go home today. Mr. [William] Hoffman was going to Stockdale so I was going that far with him and then take the train home. But it was so muddy and cloudy, I was afraid I wouldn’t get back. I’m sure disappointed. I wanted to be home [on] my birthday and then I had so many things to buy for my school.

I wonder very much where you are. I hope you write pretty soon. I haven’t heard from you since I came up here [last Sunday evening]. I don’t understand. The paper says they didn’t send any of the 10th Division away after the Armistice was signed but I know you have left [Camp] Funston or you would have written to me. I wrote Mama this morning and asked her if your folks knew where you were.

Thursday, Parkerson’s went to Manhattan. Mr. Parkerson went to a sale over across the river so they didn’t get started home till late. Then they had a blow out near Stockdale. Well, I knew they intended to get home early because Mrs. Parkerson didn’t make any arrangements for me to stay anywhere as she always does when she thinks they will be late. So I came home from school and expected to see them coming any time, but they didn’t.

Well, it got real dark. I lit the light and thought I would build a fire and start supper. Well, the wind was blowing and the cows were bawling and this house seemed so big and lonesome. I began to get cold feet. Knowing what a coward I am after dark, you can imagine how scared I was getting. Pretty soon the dog barked up. I jumped and blew out the light and off to Hoffman’s I ran. [When the] Parkerson’s got home later, they called to see if I was there. Kenneth [Hoffman] brought me home then.

That day the [Krause] twins asked me if I wouldn’t go to the revival meetings with them. I told then, “Sure I would” but it was so rainy and bad Mrs. Krause called and said they had decided not to go.

A week from next Wednesday is Stella [Munger’s] box social. I hope it’s nice weather so I can go. Mrs. Parkerson is going to Kansas City to visit her daughter. She asked me tonight if I would stay with Chalmers' or Krause’s. I told her yes, certainly I would. She seems to hesitate so about leaving while I’m here. I may have my “shes” mixed up but I guess you can make it out.

Tonight’s the night I had planned on going to a [picture] show in Manhattan. Maybe I can next Saturday night. I’m sure going home then, rain or shine. I can’t hardly stand it to stay here over weekends – this is the second time. It wouldn’t be half so bad if I would get some mail. The mail man didn’t come today, but Mr. Parkerson got the mail at Stockdale. I was sure anxious for him to get home. I thought I would get a whole handful of mail – this being my birthday. I thought sure Mama, Stella [Munger], and you would write. Mrs. Parkerson hated it when she did tell me. But I think the folks expected me to come home until it rained so last evening.

Ward, you remember Capt. Willis [L.] Pearce that carried mail on Route 8 for ten years? I noticed in the paper tonight that he was killed in action October 9th. And that Riley County boy [named Henry Uhlenhop] that was reported dead the same time George Wingate was killed is alive. His folks got a card from him last week. He’s in a German Prison hospital. They think it may be that George Wingate is alive yet [too]. Neither one of the boys clothes were sent home. And they always are [once their bodies are found].

I have all the papers graded. Did some last night, did the rest up at the school house this morning. Just have my monthly report to Miss [Reppie] Carey to make out yet, and then I’ll be thru. I have the grade cards all made out. Well I do wonder where you are tonight, dear Boy. I wish we were both where we were a week ago tonight. As ever, Minnie G. Frey

Footnotes:

• Capt. Willis L. Pearce served in Co. F, 142nd Infantry. He was killed in action on October 8, 1918 while serving in the 36th Division's efforts to push the enemy from the area north of St. Etienne-a-Arnes (specifically, Hill 140) back to the Aisne River. The division was successful but Americans suffered heavy losses in their first action under fire. Willis was born in Kansas about 1882. His father was a farmer in Grant, Riley County, Kansas at the time of the 1895 Kansas Census. Willis is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Section S W Site 4348.

• George L. Wingate was born on August 5, 1894. The August 22, 1918 edition of the Manhattan Tribune reported that George was the first Riley County soldier killed during the war. He died leaving a wife and a baby that he never saw. Prior to his enlistment in 1917, George was a farmer near Ogden, Kansas.

• Henry Uhlenhop was indeed reported dead and the whole village of Leonardville, Kansas, mourned his loss at a funeral conducted shortly afterwards. He later turned up in a German Prison Camp where he had been well cared for by the Red Cross. He won the Croix de Guerre in the Second Battle of the Marne. He became the postmaster in Leonardville following the war.
  

Letter 93 ~ November 13, 1918

Minnie writes me the latest news from the Parkerson's farm where she is boarding in Sherman Township, Riley County, Kansas.

Addressed to Pvt. Ward C. Griffing, Co. E 20th Infantry, Camp Funston, Kansas

Sherman [Kansas]
[Wednesday morning] November 13, 1918

Dear Boy:

I read in yesterday’s paper that they were going to keep the boys at Camp Funston drilling and going on just the same until they had orders from Washington telling them to do different. So I suppose you are still over there at Funston. Isn’t this the grandest weather? It corresponds to the feelings of the people. I am writing this in the kitchen and in rather an uncomfortable position for writing. I had a letter from Mama and Stella [Munger] yesterday but none from you. Mama sent the letter with your address.

I received the bi-monthly examination questions yesterday so we will have that tomorrow and the next day. I will sure half to work some if I get to go home Saturday. I’ll have all those papers to grade first.

President Wilson said the war was over because the armistice made it so they couldn’t renew hostilities. Most people seem to think the 10th [Division] will go across [to Europe] anyway. But people don’t always think right.

School is sure going fine and just a little over four months yet to teach. May go to the Dutch church tonight [for] revival meetings. I wonder how long it will take them to pray the Kaiser out of purgatory.

I’m sure going to a [picture] show the next time I go home. I’d sure like to see a real good one. Stella [Munger] says she goes in with [your brother] Willis and sure did have a good time. It made me want to go.

Parkerson’s are going to saw wood and butcher today. So I’ll get some fresh beef. And I want to take the saw dust and make some sweeping compound for the schoolhouse. Well, I must go to school so goodbye Ward. – Minnie G. Frey

Letter 92 ~ November 11, 1918

Celebrating the armistice in nearby Leonardville, Kansas, on November 11, 1918

Courtesy of Jim Olson.

I receive a pass to leave camp on November 9-10. I surprise Minnie by driving up to Sherman Township and bring her home to Manhattan for the weekend. Minnie writes me following our visit, beginning her letter on Monday evening, November 11, and finishing it the following morning. She tells me that news is received of an armistice.

Addressed to Pvt. Ward C. Griffing, Co. E 20th Infantry, Camp Funston, Kansas

Sherman [Kansas]
Monday evening [November 11, 1918]

Dearest Boy:

Well I suppose you are still at Camp Funston. You know Ward you wrote your address on that letter and I left them laying there on [the] dining room table. But I guess I remember your address. I ought to as many times as you have told me.

Well today has certainly been a hurrah old time everywhere – the stores were closed all day. Parkerson’s went over to Leonardville [Kansas]. I wish I could have gone somewhere but didn’t get to.

They gave the general ring early this morning before I was up. Then Mama called tonight about five o’clock but I wasn’t home. I came home from school tonight by moonlight. She said they had been [celebrating] in Manhattan all day.

My, just think how many happy people can go to bed tonight to rest their first night of peace. Of course we don’t know what may happen when it comes to talking peace, but certainly the worst fighting is over.

I must go to bed, it’s 10 o’clock. I’ll write more in the morning. I had to write to the folks tonight. I want Mama to get something and send me for my teeth and gums. I can’t hardly talk, they hurt so bad. (A bad condition for me to be in.) Goodnight dear Ward.

Tuesday morning [November 12th]

My, but this is sure a swell day – just like spring.

I wonder if you will get a pass again Saturday. I should think you would. Are they going to send any of the 10th [Infantry Regiment] away or keep them drilling right there?

You know I said that everybody would know just who came after me Saturday and all about it. Well they did. Monday morning one of the boys came in laughing. He said, “Teacher, you didn’t go home in the Ford or the Hudson either one Saturday, did you?” He also saw us sitting on the front porch at home. The little Wickstrum boy said, “We saw you teacher run out of the school house to meet that soldier. We were looking from the window.” I never heard tell of the like of it. But I don’t care a bit. And they all like soldiers so it doesn’t make any ‘dif.’

They are having revival meetings up here on the hill. We may go some evening this week. I wish I could be in Manhattan yesterday and today.

You said you bet the folks didn’t like it because you came after me Saturday. I don’t remember what I said, but you sure don’t need to think that they weren't glad. Some of them would have come for me that evening if you hadn’t so they were glad you came. Then they thought I would be so surprised and glad to see you that they wanted you to come.

Well Boy, I must go to school. Keep good care of yourself and be happy. You don’t know how nice it is to see you just the picture of health, and that sure is what you are. Mr. Parkerson said, “My, but he is a great big husky fellow, isn’t he?” You sure look good. Good bye, -- Minnie

Footnotes:

• The Allied powers a signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, bringing WWI to a close. Between the wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both world wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.

• The Manhattan, Kansas newspapers reported that the largest crowd that the oldest inhabitant ever saw in Manhattan gathered on Monday afternoon, November 11, to celebrate the coming of peace and the burial of the Kaiser and Crown Prince and Von Hindenberg. The news came by A.P. service at three in the morning and was announced by blowing of whistles and ringing of bells. At nine o’clock the celebration started all over again.
  

• Possibly Lloyd or Glen Wickstrum, the young sons of Charles and Nancy Wickstrum of Sherman Township, Riley County, Kansas.