Albert Koelzer wrote home to his wife, this letter was printed in newspaper The Goffs Advance on Thu, Dec 12, 1918, Page 7 accessed from https://www.newspapers.com/image/482068873/?clipping_id=140215138&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjQ4MjA2ODg3MywiaWF0IjoxNzA4MTIzNTg4LCJleHAiOjE3MDgyMDk5ODh9.FPQVQuq3W330jpcIv4qTzwYmkHZMhG9OXySlF45_e-c on 2/16/2024
The text printed in the paper follows below:
SOLDIER, LETTERS.
From the Courier Democrat
Albert Koelzer Spends Furlough in The French Alps.
October 27, 1918.
Grenoble, France.
Above you'll notice the name of a French town, the first I've ever written on any of my letters.No, the war is not over, but to keep you in suspense no longer, I'll tell you all about it to date. After a fellow's ' over here six months now, he is entitled to a furlough and the 25th of April we left New York," so three days ago an order came saying seven of F. were allowed to go. I remember one furlough that I didn't get by just simply fooling around and letting others get theirs so I spoke right up and told then little Al thought he'd like to have one of those things and I talked fast enough to get it. 600 from our division are scattered around here and we made the trip down In 25 hours on a first rate train with nary a cattle car on the track. Setting on the cushions, was quite a treat and I looked for nice things when we got here but not so fine as we've had . I'll give you a little history of the place and then continue my story. In the first place, its a great French summer resort in the foothills of the Alps and after one look I can easily see why all the Rockybilts and Astorfellows spend their summers here, I haven't seen much of it but the little I have is wonderful and 111 more than likely give you more of a description later as I expect to see all there is to be seen in seven days.
To continue my story. We rid for 25 hours and finally the conductor said," destination" so we all get off and lined up 600 strong. A band was there to meet us and outside the station was a mob of the best looking French girls, boys old men and old ladies, I ever saw. Bryan wouldn't draw as big a crowd in Richmond township as we did here, all cheering, throwing flowers and clapping their hands. We marched up the street the band playing, "There's a girl for every Khaki Bill" and boys were all trying to pick out theirs. Personally, I was an old married man, but at that, it was a sight that would make your pulse beat at least one more per minute. We were the first Americans that had ever been here and they were bidding us a royal welcome. We marched for about ten blocks and then, we came out here on the train The name of this town is Uriage and is only a thirty minute ride from Uriage to Grenoble and from what I saw Its a hotel town.
The first shock I received was- not electrical- but in the shape of a room and the looks and size of the hotel. Listen, mein frau, this hotel won't lay down for any in Kansas City, Mo. at any time of the day or night and I am the proud possessor for several days of a room and bath (pronounce the a as in ball), hot and cold water Then as soon as we had washed, they announced that dinner was served. Ye gods, First course: Soup, second: Damifiknow, but it was good; third: steak and potatoes, fourth: tea and five: dessert. I expect by this time you'll be thinking what that man of mine had been drinking but the beauty of it is, that I'm telling the truth. After doing the stowaway on the vicuals, I hied myself to the-Y. billiard rooms, a canteen, library, theatre and dance hall is all this Y. holds and every department is complete. - They have simply taken over one of the best and most beautiful of the hotels and call it a Y, but I spent an hour or so there and am now back in my room. This is about all I've seen so far so I'll not narrate further or I'm likely to prevaricate.
I sure wish you were here to take this in with me. Well, as it is late and I must do my ablutions ere I retire, I must bring this toan ending. P. S. As I was going down the hill, I heard one doughboy say to his pal, "Jack ain't this some dugout?" (Mess Sergeant Albert L. Koelzer to" Mrs. A. L. Koelzer of this city.)