Jackson County IL Archives News.....French Ladies Impress Him November 11, 1918
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Karima Allison quest@insightbb.com and Mary Riseling riseling@insightbb.com July 11, 2006, 3:48 pm

Murphysboro Daily Republican Era November 11, 1918

Murphysboro Daily Republican Era, November 11, 1918


In a letter to Walter E. BILDERBACK of Murphysboro, Shirley DUNHOUSE writes as
follows from general headquarters in France.

October 15, 1918

Dear Walter:

    What would you say should I write you a few lines?  To begin with there is
very little to tell.  That may seem strange for it would be natural for you to
suppose that the boys over here could write page after page of current
happenings, things we have seen and personal experiences.  The fact is we could
but we can't because you know how imperative it is that we should not reveal any
military secrets or even suggest any little thing that would make the kaiser
feel uneasy should this letter fall into his hands.  Therefore I must deal with
all subjects concerning us over here in a general way and speak only at length
and with particulars of our personal affairs.

    As for the war itself, I can say very little.  During the present time with
such stringent rules governing our speech it is not even good policy to
entertain too deeply our own private thoughts and opinion of the war or military
operations.  As for the peace proposition.  The way I look at the situation is
this:  The Germans started this thing and have been very persistent in their
operations so its up to us to see that they do not finish according to their own
dictation for that, to a marked degree, would be little short of a victory for
them.  Don't you see that it would?  That naturally leads to the question, "When
will the war end?"  Well, many men on learning and wisdom and with great insight
to the future have expressed themselves but to what avail and in what way it
will have any direct hearing on the real end I can't see and do not know.  My
prediction is that it will end when the Huns are licked and the world made safe
for democracy, etc., and so on, as you so often read in the papers and hear at
patriotic speeches.  So there you are.  Just live in hopes and insist that
everyone do their bit.  Victory is certain but the question "When?" remains
unanswered.  Thus endeth one subject in which I know you and the people back
home are interested.

    Now for France.  Without doubt France is a beautiful country.  Looking from
a hill top out over a valley is nothing less than a feast for the eye.  The
different shades of green and yellow and an occasional spot of new turned soil,
wooded forests, clusters of shrubs, wonderful highways running everywhere lined
with trees and the well kept canals and streams all stand out, each one
distinct, yet seem to melt into a mellow harmony pleasing to the sence of sight.
 In the cities_________________ a look of sameness.  You might say that stone
walls make good scenery.  Nearly all residences are bounded on four sides by
walls of stone and unless one is on good terms with the occupant of any certain
house and has a special invitation it's a case of staying on the outside, not
only of the house but on the outside of the yard.  You see these houses are all
modeled after the styles that were necessary in the ancient and medieval ages
when soldiering was an occupation and when the knights fought for the favor of
their lady's hand and, as it is often happened, the defeated rival became an
outlaw and kidnapped the queen of his heart's desire.  So naturally they needed
those fortified homes in those days.  And right here I might as well say that I
have seen some beautiful French ladies who could inspire me to deeds of chivalry
such as you have never read about.  And to cap the climax I would lay the spoils
of battle at their feet and be paid in full for the toil and trouble with merely
a smile from their beaming countenances.  So perhaps it's well that these walls
remain  intact even during these days of modern warefare.  Within the towns of
course we see many buildings of artistic design and buildings  that are famous
through some connection in history.  The sculpture work on several churches I
have seen is marvelous and made equally more so through consideration of the
length of time it has stood.  A wooden structure is a rarety over here.  Nearly
all buildings are of stone hewn from the quarries in all parts of France.  The 
streets of a town are generally alleys and the alleys are merely passageways and
they run everywhere irrespecitve of direction.  As a rule they are paved with
stone blocks.

    And the French people.  They are just as congenial and peace loving as a
people could be.  They treat the Americans with a courtesy almost devine and in
seeming reverence.  We received the glad hand anywhere we go in France and made
to feel right at home.  The French girls, as I have intimated before, are very
attractive and win the hearts of the romantic American boy quite easily.  With
me they are alright, beautiful and all of that but when you begin to talk the
jib is up.  And fast!  You should hear them.  They can surely step on the
accelerator of speech and rattle it off at a two forty pace.  But they seem to
understand each other so I presume the language  is alright.  Of course I am
trying to learn to "parley vous" but at present it seems hopeless.  I can do
very well with the acrobatic and sign part of the talking but when it comes to
twisting my tongue around the letter combinations they have for words and making
weird sounds for this or that I am not there.  And I can't get the sense of
spelling a word one way and pronouncing it another.  Anyway, as the guy said,
"it's useless to learn French because they don't speak it in Berlin."

    Well there isn't much else to tell you.  You have no doubt heard about the
trains they have over here and the dinky little coaches divided into sections
called carriages.  You notice them at the movies some time when the scenes of
the story are laid in this part of the world.  And you should see the wine carts
that they haul the beverages in from the country on.  It's not so much the cart
that's interesting but its what they have aboard.  I tell you that is one point
this country has over the old home country back home.  Beer, wine, cognac and
champagne are abundant and cheap.  I don't know how the wets and drys stand back
in the states just now but over here the prohibitionists are in the minority if
there are any at all.  But as I am a "total abstainer" it doesn't make any
difference to me one way or another.

    I must not close without telling you about the amusements we have at the
YMCA.  I tell you that organization is a great help to the boys and they are
certainly doing wonderful things for us.  We have good moving pictures twice a
week, five reel pictures like you pay a nickle to a half buck to see and it
doesn't cost us anything.  And it's the same with the vaudeville we have.  Such
stars as Irene Franklin (Red Head) and Bert Green, Corine Francis and Tony
Hunter entertained us through the auspices of the YMCA.  And a few nights ago
the "Spot Light" quartet gave us a few of their selections.  And believe me they
could sing.  And besides those extras we always have band concerts three times a
week at the Y given by our military band of about fifty pieces.  Their music
reminds me so much of a little band we have back home--it is so different.  And
aside from amusements the Y sells us cigarettes, cigars, candy, etc., at
government prices and serves hot chocolate and sandwiches which go mighty good.

    Well when I started I didn't intend to write more than one volume so will
ring off for now with the tidings that this letter leaves me feeling better and
more of it and hoping that it will find you and all the same.
    I am, yours sincerely,

Shirley J. DUNHOUSE
Co. A, Hdqrs Bu., G. H. Q. American E. F., France


Additional Comments:
The above is an article taken from the Murphysboro Daily Republican Era on
November 11, 1918.  The headline of the newspaper announces the end of World War I.

Transcribed by Mary Riseling from her grandfather C. E. RISELING's collection of
old newspapers.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/jackson/newspapers/frenchla45nnw.txt

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