Guide to the Keyton Family Collection (RG 256): Coblenz Letters, 1919-1920
Folder 256-20-0731-001-012
Transcriptions and Links to Scanned Original Letters (in PDF) for folder 256-20-0731-001-012: April-July 1920, Ida Keyton to her daughter-in-law's mother, Annie Williams. 4 items.
Biographical Note: John Arthur Keyton of Dothan, AL and Joyce Williams of Norwich, CT married in 1917 before he shipped off to World War I. In 1919, his unit became part of the US Third Army (Army of Occupation of the German Rhineland) headquartered at Coblenz ("Coblence" in French). Joyce joined Arthur in Late Summer, 1919. The couple was stationed in Sinzig, Germany then relocated to Coblenz when Arthur was reassigned to the 6th Field Artillery and the American forces were reduced in number. They returned to the US in Late Summer 1920.
Table of Contents
256-20-0731-001-012-001 April 12, 1920 Dothan, AL Ida Keyton to "My dear Mrs Williams"
256-20-0731-001-012-002 May 27, 1920 Dothan, AL Ida Keyton to "My dear Mrs Williams"
256-20-0731-001-012-003 June 9, 1920 Dothan, AL Ida Keyton to "dear Mrs Williams"
256-20-0731-001-012-004 July 5, 1920 Dothan, AL Ida Keyton to "My dear Mrs Williams"
Item 256-20-0731-001-012-001
Dothan Ala
April 12 = 1920
My dear Mrs Williams
I was the happiest mother in Dothan yesterday for we got five letters from our children and some lovely snap shots of them, realy I was so glad I was silley. But dear little Joyce said she had been sick with her throat and was real well when
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she wrote, which was the = 23= of Feb, But I know you have gotten letters to, so we can both feel happy to day. They seem to be getting on nicely and happy as two cats.
Well I do hope your cold is better by now. But I guess you will not get rid of it until spring comes to relieve you of it. It looks like spring here, but awful cool. I know you want to get out and breath some good spring air. But I know you will feel better after hearing from our children. they both look fine in the little snapshot.
I am feeling better. my mouth don't give me trouble now like it use to, and I am very thankful for it. Mr. K---- is
[page 3]
is still suffering from his feet but stays up and going all the time.
Bess is getting better seems her self some times but not at all well. She ask me to five you her love. I know Clem had a nice visit to New York.
Give them all my love tell Nellie I would love to have a picture of the darling little Junior.
Now please take care of yourself and be good
with lots of love, from your friend, Ida K----
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 27, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-012-002
Dothan Ala
May 27 = 1920
My dear Mrs. Williams
I received your letter asking me what the trouble was that I had not written you. But I guess you recieved the card I wrote you while I was in Washington so you and I know why I had not written
[page 2]
so I was so busy getting ready to go. with all the house work I had to do but I did get off. I went to the Southern Baptist convention and had a wonderful time. Stayed two weeks and was not half ready to come home, but I came and found every thing alright. Mr. K---- said he was ready for me to come for things seemed lonly without me. and I found two nice letters from our children and they seem to think they may get home this summer. But it seems to good to be true, yet I believe they will come. I just wonder how you are hope you are better than you were during the winter. We are sure having good old Summertime here now. I wish you could see my sweet peas they are beautiful
[page 3]
and I have a good many little chickens. Bess looked after them while I was gone. Bonnie is keeping house and seems so happy.
I spent the day with my dear old mother yesterday. she is so feeble but stays up most of the time.
Hope Nellie and all of them are well. I sure was pleased with dear little juniors picture he just looks precious. our Babies [illegible] still come over and ask about Joyce. they have grown so fast. Well I must stop please take care of youre self. Give all the folks my love, and a hug for you. Ida K
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 27, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-012-003
Dothan. Ala.
June 9 = 1920
dear Mrs. Williams,
I have thought I would write you every day, but I have been so busy since I came home. But Mr. Keyton had such a painful accident got scalded from the radiators of one of his truck exploding it burned his stomach
[page 2]
as he was standing in front of it. that happened last Friday and he has been laid up since and had been suffering real bad with it since. But the Doc. sais he is doing nicely. and I hope he will soon get well. But you know it takes burnes some time to heal. But we have such good news from our children that I am just happy for they are coming home this Summer. and Dr. Moody told us that Arthur had been recommended for a health man in this place. and he was most sure he would get it if he would take it. Arthurs saying he did not know that he would take that work. that he had three things in view. and would come home and talk to his papa about it before he made
[page 3]
up his mind as to what he would do. I know you and I will be two of the happiest mothers anywhere.
Mr. Keyton said tell you that you would better join them in New York and come on home with them for we could never let them leave to go see you. I wish you would we would be so happy to gether. But I know you will see them before we do. Take care of youre self and be well when they do come. with a heart of love from your friend Ida K----
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 27, 2023]
Item 256-20-0731-001-012-004
Dothan Ala
July 5th 1920
my dear Mrs. Williams.
I was glad to get your letter Saturday.
Yes. Mr. K--- is well and at his business again. I have had the worst sore mouth for the last few weeks but its better now and I have been so happy for we had a letter from Arthur Friday saying look for them
[page 2]
the last of this month. now dont that sound to good to be true? I just cant hardley wait. and I feel that I want to start to meet them. I dont know whather he will get discharged or not. you know he is eligible to come back to the states this month for he will have been over there two years. But I hope he is getting out for its time they settle down I think and they can never have that feeling while they are in the army. I also hope we can all be well when they do come. so you take care of youre self and I will do the same and we will be two happy mothers. We also had a letter from Joyce last week. she did not say that
[page 3]
they were coming. but her letter was written several days before Arthurs was. so I am going to look for them if they dont come I shall be dreadfully disapointed. But I am trusting God to direct them in what they do.
Well Bess is keeping house and is the happyest girl I know. Mother spent the day with us last week and is looking better but the hot weather helps her and we are having awful hot days now. Well, write us if you hear when our children will come, and take care of youre self. give Junior a good hug for me. with love to all the folks, Ida K—
[Transcribed by Martin T Olliff, February 28, 2023]
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