World War I Collection

wasn't much to see going through the desert country especially Arizona, New Mexico & Texas. It commenced to look a little better when we hit Oklahoma. We stopped a while in Oklahoma City but is was about midnight when we pulled in and never got to see much. From Oklahoma we went into Arkansas which is a very pretty state. Lots of timber & every thing green. We stopped in Little Rock & it was quite a big town itself. We sure see lots of negroes down here through these states & old time houses. We sure soused a guy in Booneville Ark. for trying to soak us a nickel apiece for doughnuts. We ruined nearly everything he had such as pies, cigars etc. He sure beat it in a hurry. We gave a couple of coons some more in Little Rock for the same reason. From Little Rock we went on into Memphis Tenn. and we were met at the station by the Red Cross and they gave us all kind of eats. Got a good view of the Mississippi River just as we pulled into Memphis. She must be at least a mile wide. We crossed through the upper end of Mississippi, Alabama, & Georgia. There is a town about every mile through here. Stopped at a Chattanooga and had a little parade and it sure was a hot hole. From there we went on

get farther east. When we went thru Kansas City, Cleveland Buffalo and a number of other large cities they blew whistles and everything else they could think of. In the smaller cities we were certainly treated royal. We went thru Ariz, Texas, Kansas, Missouri Illinois Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania New Jersey and New York. That is all the states I can remember. We got off twice a day for exercise, and sometimes to take a plunge. We went swimming ni the Wabash river one afternoon. In Hutchison Kansas they had automobiles out to meet us and took us all over the city. We had ice cream and cake there to. Coming thru Arizona the heat was pretty bad but only lasted for

Imprinted Paper: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU 277 PINE STREET TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., [handwritten:] Feb 11th, 1918

My dear old Sned:

From your last letter I note that you are getting low on funds, so I enclose you $20.00. Please acknowlege the receipt of same promptly, as sending cash through the mails is dangerous, but I dont know if you can cash a cheque or a money order. I will enquire [inquire] about the latter and if you can cash money orders, I will send that instead of greenbacks.

Edgar Lyon told me this a.m. that poor old Nick (their dog) died last night. I bet the Lions will feel blue, because he was a faithful old dog. I think he was 13 years old. Jack Ella & John are with us. They are looking for furnished apartments in Alameda. We have no servant so it is kind of strenuous particularly as Ella is a slave to the boy, and in consequence does not help Mother much.

This morning as usual I got the breakfast, and Mother was down to put the finishing touches. I asked Jack where Ella & John were, and he said Ella could not get up because John was asleep and it might wake him!! This is a funny world i.e. it is made up of queer people. Dont alude [allude] to any of the above in your letters home, as your letters are read by all hands.

Yesterday I drove Mother & the Fritschis over to Piedmont where the latter were invited to a family dinner. Then I drove back & Mother and I went to tea at Ruby Nichols house. Tomorrow is a holiday and I dont know what we will do. There is no news and I am writing in the office when I ought to be working. All well at home. Lots of love my dear old boy. Your loving father H.L.A.Bates

[Imprinted Paper: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU [centered] 277 PINE STREET [centered] TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560 [centered]

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., ]

[handwritten:] 12:00 Sat March 8th 1918

My dear old Sned:

A week ago today Mother and I were looking forward to seeing you in two hours. What a fine time we three had. I shall always remember that trip as one of the bright spots of my life. It is a good thing Mother did not stay over for the Review as I see it was again postponed on a/c of rain. Yesterday I paid Hastings for your Uniform 30.00 Hat 3.50 Hat band or strap .15c Trunk 14.50 Total 48.15, so you dont have to bother with that any more.

Lesley will be home today. I want to see what he looks like in uniform. Jack is away but is expected back late tonight. Ella has not yet found a house so they are still with us. Mother's cold is much better but she still has a little. I found a fearful pile of work awaiting me when I got back, but I am nearly caught up. There is no news, and I suppose you get what little there may be from Mother. All well. Lots of love to you my very dear boy from your loving father

HLABates.

Imprinted Paper: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU 277 PINE STREET TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., [handwritten:] Sept 17th 1918

My dear old Snedward:

We received yesterday your letter written about 3 hours before landing, also two Kodacs [Kodaks] all of which we were very glad to get, as well as the picture post cards of Winchester, with the picture (hand drawn) of your ancestor Edw III at the top. I have had the car thoroughly overhauled, and a week ago I drove it with Mother to Nelson to see Jos. We were gone three days and I drove 439 miles, so you see I am getting to be some chauffeur. Jos was fine and seems to enjoy the work. He gets $100.00 a month and board. Since we returned, a rain storm came up which lasted two days and nights. They say 4" of rain fell in Alameda. It was a very good thing for Alameda, as the lawns & gardens have taken on a new lease of life, since we are curtailed in the use of water and cannot sprinkle, but it did a lot of damage in the fruit & hay sections. I have written Jos to know how the rice stood it, as it was reported here that it had been beaten down by the rain, but I have not heard from him yet. We took Kink along with us for two reasons, 1st no one to leave him with, 2nd to show Jos. He was a regular nuisance and wanted to climb all over us in the front seat. At night we left him hid in the back seat, in the garage, and drew the curtains. At Chico, Mother