Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Courting Miss Nora - May 30, 1918 "I am so hot now I am ‘bout to scorch"

After talking about the weather and other topics, Tom wrote on page 4 "you are the one I want if I ever want to get married and you know I do if I am like the rest of the boys.  I've got a mighty grand house in Winston you can live in after the war if you want to. Fine location, city water and electric lights.  And if I had you in there I would be happy as a lark."


The only address needed in 1918 was the town!  The postman knew where everyone lived.  Some grandchild (possibly me) cut off the stamp.

May 30-18
C. Sevier
Greenville, S.C.

Dearest Nora.
I rec’d your letter short while ago and was real glad to hear from you again.  I wonder what you are doing for your self these hot old days.  I am so hot now I am ‘bout to scorch.  I was over town yesterday and today and I had a grand old time.  The most good looking girls were there but none as good looking as you, Miss McNeil. Listen they is mighty good looking little girl at Fort Mill S.C. wants me to come and see her and I guess I will go if she keeps on writing for me to come.  Now do you believe me.

[May 30, 1918 - page 2]

I much rather come to see you if I could get long enough pass.  If I go to see Frances I can’t get but a twenty-four hour pass and it would take over half of my time on the road.  She lives ‘bout twenty miles beyond Sharlott [Charlotte] N.C. I am going to ask for a pass to come home real soon and I will come to see you while I am up for we are going to France soon I know. My brother is landed safely in France I am sorry to say.  Well guess I will run up on him sometime over there -  I hope I will if I have to go.  I rather not go if I had my way but maybe it’s all for the good of our country and I am in hope that we will come back safe.

[May 30, 1918 - page 3]

Wish I could have been up there to your box supper.  You know I would get your box or made some large people lots of money and wish I could have seen your box. I know it was just fine.  Who did get your box any way?  You tell me in your next letter who did.  I am getting homesick again for to come home.  Hope I can come real soon for I've got lots to tell you when I see you and hope that will be real soon.  Don’t you work so hard this “Hot Summer.  You stay in and cook and let your mother rest.  "Ha". I know you can cook good and can do any thing you want to, I guess and

[May 30, 1918 - page 4]

you are the one I want if I ever want to get married and you know I do if I am like the rest of the boys.  I've got a mighty grand house in Winston you can live in after the war if you want to. Fine location, city water and electric lights.  And if I had you in there I would be happy as a lark. “Ha. Listen, you wait for me and I will you, if it’s not too long and I think the war will soon come to a close which I hope it will soon.  I am longing for the day to come when I can be sitting by your side looking at your beautiful eyes of yours.  So I will wring off.  Hoping to receive an ans. real soon. I am with very best wishes your true friend.  Please excuse all mistakes and bad writting.  Your wishing
W. T. Snider




Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Courting Miss Nora - May 22, 1918, Camp Sevier, S.C.

Tom's company moved from Camp Jackson, near Columbia, to Camp Sevier, near Greenville, S.C.  His brother John's company went to Europe earlier in May.



May 22-18.



Dear Nora.




Guess you think I am not going to ans. your letter, but you know we have been moving to Camp Siver and believe me, it’s a job too, but we got here all ok and I like the place fine so far but don't know yet how I will like the camp. Lots of difference in this place and C. Jackson. Jackson is the best fixed camp, I think, but you know we are living in little tents up here and I like them fine.  It’s cool in them (over)


 

My address is the same only you put Greenville S.C.


[May 22, 1918 - page 2]

but don’t guess we will stay here long and we might stay here all the summer.  We can’t tell one mo. where we will land at the next in the Army.  Order changes so quick.  I wonder what you are doing for yourself these hot days?  It awfully how hot it is down here now and guess you all are having some real hot weather up there long now.  I am working hard to get the co. straightened out but we are getting along all right now.  I worked all day last Sunday and 

 [May 22, 1918 - page 3]

Sunday before and I don’t like that neither but we can’t help ourselves or we wouldn’t do it.  ever thing worked too.  It’s because we had to move.  They wanted us to get ready just as quick as we could and I had to help make four thousands boxes to pack up in.  Say have you all worked in your corn yet.  Guess you have been working very hard this long week.  Wish I was up there with you.  I could enjoy myself one more time in life.

[May 22, 1918 - page 4]

I hope the day will soon roll around when I can spend some of my hours with you and I would like to spend them with you all the time. ha ha! And hope the day will soon come when I can.  It would suit me very much indeed.  I think this war will soon wind up shop so any way don’t you, Nora.  And then we poor boys can come home with glad tidings to our people.  You know I have been lucky not to cross  over before now don’t you think so.    (over)

[May 22, 1918 - page 5]

Guess John has gone over.  I haven’t heard anything from him in over 5 or 6 weeks and I don't know where he is.  I hope the poor boy will come back safe in the wind up.  Tell your sister I said a big hello!  to her.  Sister they is six large theaters and a very good little town in this camp and believe me I am taking them in too.  They have good shows on ever night and day.  And we are not but four miles from the city.  We can have a big old time down here.  Wish you was here tonight.  We would go to the show.  Please pardon me for not ans. your letter sooner.  I have been so busy.  I didn’t write no one at all.  I must close and drop a few lines home and to my other friends.  Be a real good girl.  Listen I rec’d your flours and was real glad to the pleasure of receiving them.  They was just beautiful and I kept them long time.  Ans real soon and don’t do like I did wait mo. Ha.  I am with very best wishes your true friend
                   Mech. W. T. Snider