Letter to Paul B, February 3, 1918

345 N. Mentor Av.

Pasadena, Cal., Feb. 3, 1918 -

Dear Paul - Your letter of the 26th ult. was received recently and read with much interest. It was the right thing to do -- tell about yourself and what you are doing. That is the very thing that is of interest to any of your home folks. Soon after I wrote the card that followed you to Texas, I received a fat envelope from Ray, that contained a letter from him, and several that you had written to mother Ethe - We enjoyed reading them so much, as we had, up to that time, heard no particulars from you since you enlisted. When we write her we will return the letters. Among them is a postal written enroute to Texas. Of course you could not write at length to all of them, and the letters are just as interesting, and can easily be passed around. We are wondering if you have seen Hoyt in your trips up to Aunt Laura's? We have heard no particulars at all from him, only that he was in the service at Travis Tex. I wrote him a card at the time I sent yours, but it may not have reached him. Yes, Paul, we certainly do think that you have been working hard, and all of it is of a kind that helps to improve the mind, and makes for efficiency, whether in army or civil life. Keep it up. That's the stuff that makes a good soldier or civilian.

I am enclosing a letter of introduction to Col. J. M. Eddy, 131st U.S. Inft., Camp Logan. You remember, Paul, the street that we lived on in Berwyn. Mr. Eddy's home is the 6th house south of our old home. We are old neighbors. His son, Max, a boy perhaps a little older than you, is bugler of the same reg. You need not hesitate to approach Col. Eddy, if the opportunity comes, and I know it would be nice if you could get acquainted with them. Col. Eddy was in the Spanish War.

We enjoyed the pictures, - they give us a sort of insight into some of your duties, and surroundings.

I am keeping the accounts of a drug company in Los Angeles, "McColloch Drug Co." I go there every day. Aunt Dora is recovered from the pneumonia that she had in Nov. but the old bronchial trouble is pretty hard on her most of the time. Pasadena is a little farther from Los Angeles that Berwyn is from Chicago, but the cars run fast and frequently. This has been a dry winter so far. No pasture yet. Ordinarily grass is grown enough for grazing in Dec. Business is not quite up to normal with us. War makes everyone conservative.

Aunt Dora joins in love to you. We hope you will keep well.

Your Uncle Alvin L. M-

[enclosed]

Pasadena, Cal. Jan 31, 1918.

Col. J.M. Eddy,

Camp Logan, Texas.

Dear Mr. Eddy:- This letter introduces Corp. Paul Hendrickson, my nephew, who enlisted with the 5th Ill., but has been in Camp Logan since last Sept -

I recently recd. a Berwyn paper and saw that you and Max were located at this camp. It is really a comfort to us to know that Paul is near some of our old neighbors -

Hope you and Max are well. Mrs. Martin is somewhat better here than she was in Berwyn. Remember us kindly to Mrs. Eddy and Marion -

With best wishes, your old neighbor,

A. L. Martin -

345 N. Mentor Av