Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family

Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family

Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958

WWP23022

1919 February 18

Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.

Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler

Correspondence

Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920)

Rachel Dark

Denise Montgomery

Austin Shifflett

English

Evelina Suhler is the granddaughter of Jon Anthony Bouman and inherited the family collection of his letters from the years of World War I. She and her husband gave the letters to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum in 2013.

My little cabbage –
(as a Frenchman would say)

    As I see by yours of the 15th which reached me yesterday, you would be beside the old folks when you receive this. Please give them my warmest greetings, and tell them how delighted I was to hear from what Walter told you that they were so well, especially over this trying period of the year. I am glad for the sake of old people that they have lived to see this great war won by the right side, although living conditions will not have returned to the normal level in their lifetime, indeed if they do in ours. However, health is the main thing, and let us be thankful if we can keep fit for the daily battle.

    I have not written for a few days, as I have been so busy seeing that one of our day staff was deputed to see President Wilson off at Brest which gave me an extra turn to do. However, that is over again.

    The girls write splendid letters I think; Mary’s account of the trip was especially good. She will have to be a woman reporter on some newspaper by and bye. How pleased they must have been to see West Hill, like Tyltyl and Myhil of The Blue Bird when they woke up and found themselves amid their old surroundings.

    Well, I have left my palatial MacMahon for this place which suits me much better. I have a nice front room, second floor, overlooking the Seine, and while there is no lift and no running water, the place is much more comfortable. It is as if one lived in London on the Battlesea embankment only there are so many more bridges and the river isn’t so wide as the Thames. I overlook the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens and walk to the office through the Palais Royal, fraught with memories, just as we might walk across Westminster Bridge and up Whitehall as far as say, Pall Mall. They only charge 12 francs for this room instead of 15 at the other place and I get butter at breakfast. Some days ago at the MacMahon there was nothing but dry bread and coffee – not even jam! I asked for a slice of ham which I got and found on my last bill they charged four francs for it! What you could get at Lyons (before the war) for sixpence! It was barefaced robbery and one got no attention. But you wouldn’t believe the trouble I’ve had to find these quarters – just by sticking to it and worrying them daily – not only this place but three or four other “possibles” at a time, so as to get in somewhere. It is really an extraordinary time.

    Now as regards your questions, I certainly approve of your plan to put the children to a boardingschool while you find suitable quarters; indeed I don’t see what else you can do, if they will charge you by the week, why that’s allright; only I don’t quite understand your second proposition to take an empty house and put our furniture in it. What good would that be if you didn’t live in it yourself? However I suppose I don’t quite understand the point and I know you will do what is for the best so that it doesn’t run into very great expense. Do just what you think is most practicable under the circumstances and I am sure that’s the best.

    I had a letter from Stockwell today; Moloney has gone to Copenhagen and S. may join him there; Amsterdam is quite played out as a news centre now. S’s stay in England extended itself to 5 – 6 weeks; he had to undergo an operation which went off allright. He sends greetings, and his wife’s address is 2 Queens Rd., Leytonstone, NE.

    I wonder how folks like your winter coat. Is it a success? Bill’s overcoat will have just been the thing for the cold weather. It has turned quite mild suddenly after the cold spell, and it raineth every day.

    I really must write to the children next time. I enjoy their letters greatly, and often think of them. Give my love to all the people I know in Newcastle. What famous talks you will have!

Letter

Bouman Family