Lawton, Okla. Oct. 15, 1917
Dear Bess:
You certainly will have some reason to give me thunder because I have missed two whole days writing to you. I had to work until ten-thirty both last night and the night before, and was so near all in that I couldn't write. As I promised before, I'll not let it occur again. We are certainly putting in the days here. They have begun to teach us the English and French methods of artillery fire. I think we are going to get our equipment very soon. I hope we are anyway. They have begun to issue winter clothes. The boys are sure glad to get them, too. It is a real summer day today. The wind has been blowing a gale from the south. When it gets cold enough, the boys are going to have stoves in their tents. The colonel doesn't want them put in yet because he says the men are more healthy without them. I think they are too. My canteen is still running in its grand, rushing manner. Some of the other canteens are started now and my receipts have fallen off somewhat. About three hundred dollars a day is my average. I caught one of my men stealing money out of the cash drawer night before last and had him put in the guardhouse. It took me all afternoon yesterday to draw up the charges. I guess he'll get about two years. I backed him into a corner and made him admit that he took the money. He had $10.00 in one pocket and $3.00 in another, and two in another, and three in another. Did it all in about an hour. I was at school when the canteen steward came up and called me out and told me about it. They say the poor fellow is a good soldier but so much money in sight all at once was too much for him. There has been someone stealing constantly from the till for the last two days. I suppose he was the guy.
There is some talk of our going to Cuba for the winter but I don't put much faith in it. I think when we leave here we'll go to France. They have spent too much money here to move us right away; although most of us are willing to give Oklahoma to the Germans and call it a bet. That part of it that is west of the 100th meridian anyway. It would be fine if there were no dust storms. There was one today which makes three this week. Mrs. Pete came down today. I haven't seen her. Haven't seen Pete since noon. Have you persuaded Mrs. Mize to come down yet? [illegible] has said he would be willing to go to the hospital if his mother would come down.
I would have gotten this letter off in time for you to get it by S.D. today but Col. Klemm's paw-in-law came down and I had to show him around the camp while the Col. went to school. He's a nice old man and admired our horses and mules and camp. Picked the good ones and sorry ones, told me that he'd seen a big herd of antelope right where our camp is and that there is copper in the mountains to the west but not enough to pay. He lent me some cash registers and said he hoped "Dutch" (Col. Klemm) was getting along all right. I naturally told him that our Col. is the star of the camp and also the most popular man in the regiment, which is all very true.
I writing this in one corner of the canteen because if I go up to the tent some one will come in and want something an away will go my chance to write. Please forgive me for letting the time to write get away yesterday but I couldn't help it. I have just been up to my tent and found that your box of good cake just came. It is sure grand. Lee said he had never tasted anything so good, neither have I. It was almost as good as having a letter to get the box with your writing on the outside and some thing real to eat inside. Thanks in all the extravagant ways it can be said. Do it again.
Here's hoping to see you soon.
Most sincerely, Your Harry