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Date Original
1917 November 20
Description
Correspondence between Samuel Ethridge and his future wife Nathalia Kauffman, composed during World War I while he was stationed at Camp Pike, Arkansas.
Biographical/Historical Note
Nathalia Kauffman and her family were of German Jewish ancestry. Nathalia's mother, Ernestine Kauffman, was born November 1849, in Germany, where she worked as a dress maker until she immigrated in 1870. Her father, Charles Kauffman, was a born December 1863 in New York to German immigrants. Charles died in 1906 and was buried at the Temple Beth Israel in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Nathalia was born in Alabama in 1889, after which the family moved to Little Rock a year later. Nathalia married Samuel E. Ethridge in 1920 when she was thirty years old and Sam was thirty-three. Sam worked as a tinner, also called a tinsmith, making and repairing metal, and Nathalia worked as an exercise teacher for the Little Rock public school system.
Transcription
Camp Pike ark
11-20-17
Dear Honey Bunch:
I did think I would be able
to get a pass after being transferd [SIC]
to Q.M.C. but after arriving
here I found all three barracks were in quarinteen[SIC]
for measels.
Conditions are somewhat
different to Infantry. We have
no form ations[SIC]to make. Not
even roll call. Altho[SIC] I do report to the D.M. major twice daily.
The major had me select tools
and machinery for the shop also
suggested that I go to town
with a purchasing Leiutenant [SIC] to
see about some of the equipment
in Littke Rock Probably go down
town Wednesday morning.
I havnt[SIC] heard of any other Shut
metal workers being transfered.
Major advised me to go around
all the buildings and inspect every thing to get an idea of
how work must be done.
I sometimes beleive[SIC] I am in line for something good at
this job. Of course we must take our start as all must do and show out qualifications
and then be classed accordingly
I will do my beat to get the best. He seems to be a very nice fellow always______
me and carries a smile
for every one. He is having a
building designed to accommidate[SIC]
five shops with store room
up stair. The ten shop will
be in one part of the building
and four other shops will
use the other rooms. It is my
desire to have an outside
room with plenty of light.
As cloudy weather makes it to dark with light from the
ends only. I looked for a letter from you
every day but since talking
to you I see why you have not
written? to me. I have thought about you being "cripple" more
than once and I sure wanted to be there with you to "comfurt"[SIC]
you. There old measels[SIC]are the
cause of it too. I'm mad at
them too. I had em[SIC] when a mere "cheild"[SIC] once only.
As soon as I can get a chance
I sure am coming over to see
you. you can bet on that too.
This is a short letter and will
write you more next time
with lots of love from me
write if you feel like it I sure
will apprieciate[SIC]a letter from my
honey bunch. Be good
Your Sambo,
c/o Office Camp Quarter master,
Camp Pike Ark
Physical Description
4 pages of a handwritten letter, 5" x 7.75"
Subjects
Jewish Community; Love; Love letters; Correspondence; World War I (1914-1918)
Geographical Area
Camp Pike, Pulaski County (Ark.)
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000107, Box 1, Folder 3, Item 2
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Kauffman-Etheridge collection, MS.000107
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
WWI Letter from Samuel Ethridge to Nathalia Kauffman Ethridge, November 20th, 1917, Kauffman-Etheridge collection, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6901 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
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