Dear Dad: -
Well, I have learned that "Students" in such collages as Yale & Harvard were the only ones who could get discharges. I only asked for a "Leave of absence", but the "Skipper" said, "Nothing doing."
I put on my application that the reason was to finish Hi school work in order to prepare myself to take up surgery. Capt. said that since that was my inclination, that he would make me assitant "sawbones." You see there is one sergt. and usually one assist. who dishes out the pills etc. and who gives the propholaxis and such other disease preventitive treatments.
They have been drilling us so hard lately that I don't always get a chance to write when I want to but I shall write every chance I get even though it may be several days before I get a chance.
Wed. night I was with my Columbus girl again. I spent the evening at her home, had a peach of a time. I am going to see her again Sat if I get my pass, as it will be my last chance, we expect to leave here by the middle of next week. It was said that we shall be rushed to some place as about half of the high militia officers have threatened to resign if they soon don't see active service, they say that they all have better paying jobs, which are going to ruin becuase of their being held here, and they claim that the worse of it is that they are not doing anything here for any great benefit of their country.
If we leave as is said I shall have my clothes sent to you at the company.
I am feeling better every day. My stomach is getting used to this rotten regulation grub that we get shoved to us and I think that I shall begin to pick up a little weight presently.
I got a letter from Miss Ruth Felt yesterday. That makes about about a half a dozen letters I have rec. from her since coming here.
Marion's letters came today with the pictures. Thank her for me for sending them.
Love to all
Howard
Another "peach" of a photo from the UA archives is above. I'm sure Howard got his fair share of beans!
Howard references sending his clothes to "the company". The envelope of this letter was addressed to the "S.M. Jones Co., Segur Ave." where John Good likely worked. According to Ohio History Central, the company's founder, Samuel Jones, became rich after striking oil near Lima and founding the Ohio Oil company, which later became Standard Oil. He was known for providing his workers fair wages and safe working conditions and eventually ran on his "Golden Rule" philosophy for mayor of Toledo in 1897. He won the election and died in office in 1904. We don't know exactly what John did at S.M. Jones in 1916, but in 1910, his occupation was listed on the census as a Treaurer for "Mfg Gas Engines". In 1920, he was working as a purchasing agent in oil supplies.
I guess this letter answers the question about my previous post about whether Howard was engaged to Leona...or at least I hope he wasn't after his mention of his "Columbus girl"! Considering that I can't find record of Leona ever living in Columbus,and, that Howard mentioned her by name in the previous letter, I'm guessing they're not the same person.
The Leona/Columbus Girl question got me to thinking more about Howard's situation, especially his age. At the time of this letter, Howard would have only been 18 years old. The application for his veteran's headstone states that his enlistment date was April 27, 1915, which meant he was only just 17 when he joined the National Guard. Another interesting detail is that Leona was three years older than Howard. So, it makes more sense that 17 year-old Howard wouldn't have likely proposed to 20-year-old Leona before he even finished high school. I'm looking forward to seeing hints of how their relationship may develop in future letters.
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