Kenneth Spencer Research Library

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

This week’s letters reference exchanges of items, Milo sending “two souvenirs of this foreign land” (“a handkerchief for each of you girls”) and thanking his family for toothpicks (“I gave the French lad one just now. He says they are only used by the big gentlemen or the rich class”).

7/24/1918

“With the Amex Forces [American Expeditionary Forces] in France.”

Dear Father and Sisters:- Yesterday I received a letter from you dated May 23rd, so you may know the “Amex” mail service can be improved some yet.

The summer is very pleasant here, never warmer than 90° and have very much rain. But have seen the dust blow here equal to Kansas for several hours.

I received a postal card from Roy McClure (1) recently, it made the trip to Camp Doniphan and return as the letter I received from Raymond Flory. (2)

Was over talking to Alvin W. (3) this A.M. and he was “joshing” me about my fat. Can say I have been well fed up to-date.

Was talking to Ralph Moore (4) last evening, this A.M. I ran across Ralph Carpenter (5) and this P.M. Leigh Clark (6) from Conway Springs came in and visited.

I am enclosing two souvenirs of this foreign land. A handkerchief for each of you girls, think I will send father a French maid for a remembrance of France. First, I must have his permission.

We can buy the European editions of the New York Herald and Chicago Tribune the same day they are printed and also get the French Communique twice daily from the “Front” so you know we are in constant touch of the big fireworks which are in progress, very favorably for the Allies at present. “Just leave it to the Yanks.”

Please write about the folks back East as I am very anxious to learn how sister Fern [living with relatives in Illinois] is getting along.

Miss Ruth stated that the weather has been extremely hot in Wellington during the month of June, wonder what August will bring.

All the Argonia Bunch are in good health and in best of spirits at this writting and, here is trusting the folks at home are the same.

News of interest that would pass censorship is scarce at present so, I will close

Your son and brother,
“Old Mike”

Wag. Milo H. Main.
Bat. F. 130 F.A. American Ex. Forces. France.

P.S. Am on same detail at O.M.

O.K.
Willis R. Banker. [censor]
1st Lieut. 130 F.A.

(1) According to his obituary, Charles Leroy McClure was born in Sumner County on September 1, 1892. His mother died when he was two years old. He enlisted in the Army on July 6, 1917, and served in Co. D, 7th Engineers, first at Fort Leavenworth and then abroad.

(2) Possibly Alvin Lee Warlow, a farmer in Argonia. According to his World War I draft registration card, he was born in Caldwell, Kansas, on December 8, 1893. Warlow also served in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery.

(3) Milo mentioned Ray Flory in his June 2nd letter. Biographical information about him can be found in that blog post.

(4) Ralph A. Moore was born in Harper County, Kansas, on March 15, 1897. He sailed on the Ceramic with Milo and served with the Headquarters Detachment of the 60th Field Artillery Brigade.

(5) According to his World War I draft registration card, Ralph Virgil Carpenter was born in Sumner County, Kansas, on October 1, 1888. Records suggest his parents divorced before 1900. Carpenter was married and working as a farmer when war broke out, and he served in Battery D, 130th Field Artillery.

(6) According to his World War I draft registration card, Edward Leigh Clark was born in Conway Springs, Kansas, on August 24, 1890. Clark was married and working as a farmer when war broke out, and he served in Battery D, 130th Field Artillery.

July 26th, 1918.

“With the Amex Forces Somewhere in France.”

Dear Father and Sisters:-

We are having more rain again to-nite. Being so near coast either by south or west is partly due to so much rainfall.

It sure does not seem possible for the third largest vessel in the world being sunk by a torpedo. We were in N.Y. harbor docked near it just before our departure and I thought it the most beautiful vessel I had seen and when we got in the rough sea some 300 miles from Greenland this big transport could be seen sailing as smoothly as a river steamboat. It was not far from where it was sunk where we had our battle with a sub, coming over. (1)

Chris gave me an Argosy [Argonia newspaper] dated 7/6 yesterday. I have failed to receive any editions from Scottie yet, but possibly will later.

For pastime yesterday afternoon eight of we boys around the kitchen overpowered a French lad of 16 and mowed his first crop of whiskers. He shed many tears when we cut his mustache off, for a French man takes more pride in growing a little black mustache than a Kansas Farmer would in raising 90 acres of corn.

This improved his appearance so much we then decided to give him a hair cut but, we had no clippers or shears. I got out my Red Cross scissors and the first cook tried his hand. Well, we go off quite a quantity of hair, but it resembled a flight of stairs more than anything else. Altho after we gave him a shampoo and powdered him up he looked much more like an American.

July 30th. Tues. 3 P.M.

Finishing a letter four days from the time I started it shows you how energetic I am. Could write every-day as far as having time would concern it. But, don’t think we are not more than anxious to receive a letter from home.

To-day I received four letters from you dated July 8th, 9th, 12th and the 13th. Also one from Ruth sent on the 11th. You would be very much surprised to see the expression on the boys’ faces whom receive no mail on mail day. I want to thank you for writing so regularly to me. Don’t think F.A. Smiths are doing George right, it is no fault of his, it all lies with the Amex mail service.

Yes, I remember Mrs. Gulick. Ruth wrote about meeting Mrs. Colin at the store. Ruth said she spoke well of me.

No extreme heat in this part of France. Very pleasant all the time. In fact I am bleached out like never before. Very little do I get out in the sun at any time. We don’t wear our broad brimmed champaine hat now, just the little skill caps with out a bill.

Arthur Knox (2) and I were down the road Monday eve taking in the sights as we passed by the many wine and beer shops. Chinese and Algerian labors were to be seen along the road in big numbers.

Think I wrote you about serving fried chicken, lobster salad and champagne with many side dishes on the Fourth. Big field meet and boxing contest being held near by. I have not drank any French liquors either since that day. Champagne being my choice after giving them all a fair test.

Alvin’s [Alvin Warlow? – see above] estimate on the women and wine shops was not exaggerated at all. I would put it about four saloons to the block and as many French women as you wanted. Some of these French women are beautiful, while the pheasant class taken as whole have big feet and ankles caused by wearing wooden shoes. But the more one learns about the French maids the less you care about them. They are not to be compared with the girls in the good old U.S.A.

In the States we called our money “Bill,” but “over here” it is “Franc” and “Sou.” I have had no difficulty in getting American money exchanged. The “franc” is the unit of French money. its present value is 5.7 francs to the U.S. dollar. It seemed rather strange to hear the people speaking about the value of horse as 1500 francs. At present there is very much paper franc notes in circulation same as “scrip” in the U.S.

Thanks for the toothpicks. I gave the French lad one just now. He says they are only used by the big gentlemen or the rich class.

As to being homesick, never take time for that. Am making this a vacation trip. My hardest battle was at Camp Doniphan.

I have never written [sister] Fern yet, but have a handkerchief to send her so may write to her soon.

I received a second letter from Raymond Flory a few days ago. He is in England yet. Says he takes a wild ride in planes occasionally. And is working on them daily.

What do you think of the Yanks’ fighting spirit now? They all are anxious to get it over and believe me they have the Boches on the run now.

The effect upon the French caused by the presence of American troops here will be great. They are learning and progressing fast, but they cannot keep up the pace that Yanks are taking.

All the Argonia bunch are in good health and we wish the folks at home the best of health and prosperity.

Sorry to hear of Chas. Fisher’s (3) death.

Will close for to- day.

I am
Your son and brother,
Milo H. Main

Bat. F. 130 F.A.
Amex Forces.
France.

(1) It’s unclear which ship Milo is referring to, as several were torpedoed in July 1918.

(2) Milo mentioned Arthur Knox in his July 7th letter. Biographical information about his can be found in that blog post.

(3) From the Argonia Argosy newspaper, July 11th: “Charles B. Fisher has been in a very serious condition for several weeks, died at his home in Argonia, Sunday evening, July 7, 1918, at the age of 68 years, four months and 22 days. Mr. Fisher has lived in this vicinity for several years and is well known by a large number of his friends. He has been confined to his home for the past three months, and his death was not unexpected, although it was a great shock to his many relatives and friends.”

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

July 15th 1918.

Somewhere in France.

Dear Father and Sisters:-

This finds us (the Argonia bunch at a new training camp. We all are well and located nearer to each other than ever before.

I hated to leave the O.M. at the other camp for, we the O.M. force sure had a fine time during our stay. But (the O.M. bunch) we are together on same detail here. The night before we left, the lady of the café gave us, two cooks, a waiter and my self a seven course dinner, French style to be sure and some feed I want you to know with plenty of wine. I was carrying her pocket book before I left. Don’t misconstrue that. I carried it at meal time. She wants me to spend my furloughs at her home, but latest dope [inside information] out will have us in the States before I get a leave.

Am enclosing a letter which Ray Flory* sent me at Doniphan and it was then forwarded over here again. I have not heard directly from him over here, but am expecting a letter daily. Don’t know whether he is in England or here.

Received four letter from you last Thurs. dated 5/31, 5/28, 6/14, and 6/17. We get mail about twice each week.

You spoke of the French girls. Yes, some very beautiful but taken as a bunch, they are no comparison to the Kansas girls.

Sure a bunch of Sumner Co. boys answering the call to the colors, but they are to late to see any active service.

Sure looks good to see a real American girl in the Y.M.C.A.s and the boys who have been in the hospitals say that the Red Cross (American) nurses treat a Sammie** as a big brother from home.

Pardon me for writing with a pencil, but my time is limited this Monday evening as I spent the afternoon pressing a pair of O.D. [olive drab] pants. I am getting very neglectful about writing but enjoy a few lines from home as never before and it is real interesting to watch we boys from Argonia exchange letters to try and find some thing of interest our folks failed to mention. But this way we get it all.

Glad Bernice received the allotment at last. Tell them all “hello” for me.

Wheat and oats are ripe here. The grain crop is fine and talk about golden fields of grain. I saw them here. The grain is dead ripe before they commence cutting with their arm strong binders known as cradles in the U.S.A. years ago. The largest field I have seen was a 10 acre oat field. They farm every square foot down here in southern France, but am told that in northern France it is much more like the U.S. method.

Yes, June [Milo’s sister], would be glad to receive some of your kodak pictures, any time, but thanks for the cigarettes as I never use them, only smoke a cigar now and then. And can get them at the Y’s’.

About my F. & B. Life Ins. just pay the quarterly premiums and extend the war risk loans if any. There will be no Masonic dues for you to pay.

Will close for to nite.

Trusting all are well and prosperous at home

I am your son & bro.,
Milo H. Main

*Milo mentioned Ray Flory in his June 2nd letter. Biographical information about him can be found in that blog post.

**“Sammie” or “Sammy” was British slang for a U.S. soldier in World War I; it was a reference to Uncle Sam.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

In this week’s letter, Milo describes French women and expresses his desire to visit Spain before leaving Europe and returning home to Kansas.

July 7th 1918

Dear Father and Sisters:-

This is a beautiful Sunday afternoon, warm enough for a June day in the States.

We served lunch at 1:P.M. to-day and nothing more doing until 6:30 dinner. After dinner I am going to ride a bicycle down to see Warlow and the bunch. The distance being about 5 kilometers from here.

Sure have the best of roads here, but their course is a winding one, no section cross roads; but find signs at every turn.

Fishing and bicycling are the sports of the season here. But the bunch from Camp Doniphan take more to “promenading” or walking with the many fair mademoiselles. We being the first American Soldiers in this section of France, we seem very attractive to them.

Well, the Allies are romping on the Dutch [Germans] now and the dope [inside information] is, “we will be back in the States within 6 months.” But I hope to have the pleasure of visiting Spain before my return. It is not every year that we have the opportunity to see these foreign lands and I want to go around the “globe” and take them all in if possible.

We had Regimental Sunday School just across the street this A.M. Arthur Knox and Bugler Hess* from South Haven [Sumner County, Kansas] were over. Most all natives are Catholics that I have seen and the church bells ring almost constantly.

The boys have been powdering the girls up here this afternoon. They don’t “compra” (understand) the art of using war paint [makeup] like the American girls. They also wonder why we “Yanks” shave and manicure our nails every day. We are entirely to “Sissy” in their estimation.

Will close for this afternoon as I don’t want to miss my “beauty sleep” before dinner.

Hoping all are well, which we are. I am

yours most truly
your son and bro.
Wag. Milo H. Main

Bat. F. 130 F. A.
American E. F.
France.

*These two soldiers appear to have been Milo’s neighbors. According to his World War I draft registration card, Arthur Miller Knox was born in Nardin, Oklahoma, on September 19, 1895. Bugler Hess was likely Claude Homer Hess. According to his World War I draft registration card, he was born in Mannington, West Virginia, on October 3, 1895. In 1917, Knox and Hess were farming in Sumner County, Kansas.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

Milo wrote this week’s letter from “somewhere in France.” He describes the “country and customs,” especially comparing them with his previous observations of England and contrasting conditions on farms and in cities. “The home boys like all the others in our Battery are enjoying themselves as if they were on their annual vacation,” Milo says. “No reason to be dissatisfied, for we are in the best of health, plenty of good wholesome food, good climate (just a little cooler than Kans), and going thru an experience of a life time.”

Click images to enlarge.

Somewhere in France.
June 14th, 1918.

Dear Father and Sisters: – We (including all the Argonians) are located in a beautiful old village in France.

The country and customs here are some different from England. Not so many beautiful lawns and parks here for most all tillable land is under extensive cultivation. Arthur Knox, my bunkmate and I helped an old French man and daughter make hay one afternoon. And will say we “Yanks” cannot handle any more hay with their three tine forks than the French girls. I, also operated a hay rake, it was hand power driven and cleaned a three ft. swath. Mowing machines are few and are small one horse mowers, but, most of the hay is cut with scythes.

To see these big open wells with a bucket on a pole, big stone houses with a barn in one end and hog pen in the other, one horse carts hauling heavy loads, small milk wagons drawn by a pair of dogs, guided by a French maid in wooden shoes or the milk maid milking at noon reminds me of my school days at Argonia when we studied of this foreign land and its people.

But in the cities you find the people living in a more progressive age than these pheasants who farm small plots with one horse, or if farming on a large scale use two and most generally a man or girl leading each horse. Altho I saw an old man cultivating his vineyard with an old horse educated to work by “gee and haw,” (or something similar) instead of being led or driven.

Tell J.W. the quality of the drinking water is not the best in the world, but, the substitute used by the French and more especially we Yanks is fine wines and plenty of them. Carry Nation died too soon.

The home boys like all the others in our Battery are enjoying themselves as if they were on their annual vacation. No reason to be dissatisfied, for we are in the best of health, plenty of good wholesome food, good climate (just a little cooler than Kans), and going thru an experience of a life time. One Sammie* stated to-nite he would not take a $1000. for his experience to-date.

Only regret that I cannot speak French as well as I do Spanish for a solider speaking French is jake** in this part of France.

Give my regards to all, I am

Yours respectfully.
Your son and brother.
Milo H. Main

Address
Battery F. 130 F.A.
American Expeditionary
Forces in France.

*”Sammie” or “Sammy” was British slang for a U.S. soldier in World War I; it was a reference to Uncle Sam.

**”Jake” was slang meaning “excellent, fine.” From 1914, American English, of unknown origin.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

In this week’s letters, Milo summarizes his journey to England and provides some observations about the country, especially how he perceived it to be different than the United States. “Many things of interest of our voyage and this country I would like to write about,” he says, “but owing to the censor will have to wait until I return to tell you.”

Click images to enlarge.

Somewhere in England.
6/2/1918

Dear Father and Sisters:-

I arrived safely overseas. Must say I enjoyed the trip from the time we left our Camp in Okla. until we landed at our present camp. And more too, I never got sea-sick, sick of the sea or fed the fish on our trip across the salt-water pond.

What short time I have been here I have had the pleasure of seeing much of this beautiful country. Was out walking this evening and I strolled over to one of the big estates near by. It is just as Raymond Flory* stated, “very well kept up and one of the very beautiful countries.” Every thing is kept “up-to-now” in the way of farms and highways but, the railroads with little toy like engines and coaches divided into sections seem so much different from the R.R. in the U.S.A. The heavy truck horses are generally driven tandom instead of abreast and on the left of the streets. In fact every think is a bit different here, even, the ladies are not as they are in the U.S.A. But the change of scenery and customs makes quite a novelty for we “Bloody Yanks” as the English call us. (The word “Bloody” being used over here instead of the familiar “Dam” as in the States.

To date I have not received any mail from the States. But by the time you receive this, I possibly will have.

When writing, please mention all the latest scandal “from me home town” and all news of interest.

Tell Mrs. Dyer I have not been able to visit with her sister yet, but hope to be able to before I return. Ray F. [probably Raymond Flory] is another “Yank” I have not seen, but tell his “Mary” not to fear him leaving her behind.

Many things of interest of our voyage and this country I would like to write about, but owing to the censor will have to wait until I return to tell you.

Above all, I have the best of health an a good appetite and hope this find all well at home.

Give my regards to all.

With love to all
I close
Your son and bro.

Milo H. Main.

Bat. F. 130 F. A.
American E. F. [Expeditionary Forces]
Via New York.

P. S. The Argonia Bunch is the same old gang and send best wishes to all.

OK

Julian Sher[illegible]

1st Lieut FA

*Raymond Henry Flory and Milo were likely childhood neighbors and may have been friends. The two had very similar histories: Raymond was born in Iowa on February 28, 1892. By 1900 his family was living in Sumner County, Kansas. Raymond’s mother died in 1906, and by 1910 he was living with his aunt and uncle in Wichita. Raymond’s father and brother, both named Benjamin, continued to live in Argonia, and area newspapers reported that he periodically visited them. Raymond enlisted in December 1917, reporting that he was living in Wichita and working as a truckman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He served in the 137th Aero Squadron, Aviation Section, Signal Corps – leaving New York on March 6, 1918, presumably bound for England.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant