[Letter of Bettie Bonner to James G. Carter, April 24, 1919]

[Address panel:]
   Priv. James G. Carter
   Co. M 50th Inf[antry]
   A.P.O. 793
   American E. F.

[Circular postmark:]
   Fairfield, Tex
   Apr. 24, 1919
   9 A.M.

[Apparently the letter arrived in France after Carter had sailed for home. 
Written across envelope in another hand:]
   Retn to Fairfield, Texas

[Return address on verso of envelope:]
   From:
   Bettie Bonner
   Fairfield, Texas
   U. S. A.

[p. 1]
             Fairfield, Texas
             April 22, 1919
Dear Jim Gus,
   How are you this
lonesome afternoon. I have
the headache so bad don’t
feel like working so will 
try and write you a letter.
I received your letter a few 
days ago, so glad to hear 
from you. We had letters 
from John L. and Joel Sat[urday], 
they were both well. John 
L. had been on a fourlough 
for 5 days -- he went to Paris 
and the front lines. He 
said he didn’t see how 
any body ever came out 
alive, he sent us lots of 
pictures from over there. 
And by the way you said 
you had  your picture

[p. 2]
made why in the world did
n’t you send me one. I certainly 
would be glad to have one. 
I am glad you had a nice 
time on your fourlough. 
Joel sent us his Co. picture 
in this last letter it is just 
a postcard but it is good. 
Joel is so big and fat. 
Hubert [Hugh Birt] Steward is home 
now and has been for 
about two week[s]. Jerry Steward 
has been home about 4 
weeks you know he belong[s] 
to the Navy and has been 
for 4 years.
   Every day or so we hear of 
some boy getting back home. 
But I know so few boys 
and it doesn’t happen to 
be any that I know.
      
[p. 3]
I talked to your sister a 
few day[s] ago, she said they 
were sure Fred was on 
his way home and of course 
they expected a telegram 
from him as soon as 
he landed.
   You wrote and told me 
about Fred going to have to 
stay in the hospital two 
months after he got over 
here. It is so bad and 
I sure hated to hear of his 
bad health, but I am glad 
he will be on this side 
of the pond.
   Do you think there is any 
chance of you getting to 
come home any time soon? 
John L. thinks he will get 
to come some time soon.
      
[p. 4]
But poor Joel he doesn’t see 
any chance of coming.
   They are expecting Sam 
Manahan home this week. 
He has been back across 
over 2 weeks.
   Well we just started to plant 
cotton this morning. But still 
have some more corn to plant. 
They are so far behind with 
the work. Nearly every one around 
have plowed & thin[ned] the corn 
and planted cotton or nearly 
through planting.
   Our school lasted 2 more 
weeks and I think they are 
going to have a picnic. 
Oliver & I spent the day 
at Mr Cherry last Sun[day]. Sure 
had a nice time.
   They had a party at Mr Will 

[p. 5]

York Sat. night. but we didn’t 
get to go. We entend to go 
but the boys dip and 
branded our cows Sat[urday] and 
didn’t get through in time to 
go. They said they had a big 
time. They had a party at 
Mrs. John Watson last night. 
We were invited, but the 
boys didn’t come in from 
field till after dark, and 
time they feed and tend to 
every thing it was to[o] late 
to go and I had the head-
ache so bad I didn’t care 
to go. havent heard who was 
there or what they done or 
any thing about it.
   Well don’t know any thing 
else to write so will 
stop for this time. Write 

[p. 6] 

me soon. I am allways 
glad to hear from you 
hope you will get to 
come home soon.
      Your friend
      Bettie Bonner

Wed. morn. Well one of my 
best cows died last night 
that they dip Sat, and another 
one is sick. I guess it will 
die. Papa & I doctered them 
all yesterday eve[ning] but didn’t 
do any good. I don’t believe in 
this dipping, and don’t entend 
to have any more dip till I 
am made to. But am afraid 
that won’t be long.
   That my luck, looks like.
I have worst luck than 
any one.
      Bettie