University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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ROVINGS OF A JACKIE 23 from people, we are anything’ but bashful. We must have asked about a million questions and every one was answered. The people here are willing to go a mile out of their way to help you along. We all admit that San Francisco and New York are identical in every respect. The people of both cities seem to possess the same sort of energy; the dress, manners, customs and life are the same. To tell the honest truth, I feel more at home in New York than I did in Los Angeles. In all, folks, it has surely been a glorious weekend for me. I have seen New York in a way in which I would never have been able to see it again, and I have enjoyed it much more than I ever could have under any other circumstances. It has all been a dream that 1 never before thought could be realized. Before it slips my mind, did I ever tell you how we have our brothers from the East “kidded’’ about the West? We tell stories about how the cowboys and Indians used to ride in for miles around to hear our 300-piece band at San Pedro; tell them of the flourishing farms around Powell and Market Streets, and such things as that. It s a picnic. The majority of them have their ideas of the West from moving pictures, and they believe that before the war we all used to pack guns around on our hips. Well, folks, I think that I have overwritten myself, for. as Mother used to say when she got tired writing, “I have a cramp in mv thumb.” I hope that everything is all right with you both, and that by now you have ceased worrying over my trip. All my love to you both. I will write again tomorrow. “Broadway” Charlie. Naval Training Station, Pelham Bay Park. New York, March 3, 1918. My Dear Friend: At this reading you are undoubtedly aware of the details concerning my rather hasty leavetaking from the land of

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22 THE IGN ATI AN a more interesting and beautiful ride. The conductor took a special interest in us, as did likewise several of the passengers. They pointed out to us all the famous millionaires’ mansions, the particular buildings of interest in Central Park, and also prominent buildings that could be seen in the distance, such as Columbia College, St. John’s Cathedral, etc. We returned on the same bus, and sat back to enjoy Riverside Drive to our heart’s content. The trip lasted about two hours, and we arrived back at the hotel at half-past three, where I dispatched a few postals to you. After a few minutes’ breathing spell we set out again. This time it was to the business district and Brooklyn Bridge. Mother, you can explain to Dad better than I can how that part of New York is located. We took the subway at Forty-first Street and Broadway, and in a few minutes we were landed at the other end of town. By the way, it was my first ride on a subway train, and I appreciated the novelty of it. The first thing we did was to walk out to the middle of Brooklyn Bridge; it was a wonderful sight: but there was something still better in store for us. After lingering on the bridge for a while, we walked along those streets where millions are made and lost in a few minutes. You'll have a very fortunate son. Mother, if my head does not fall off tonight after the way 1 twisted my neck gazing up at the real skyscrapers. After we had feasted our eyes on these sights for half an hour or so, we caught the subway back and returned to the hotel. I just could not wait until tomorrow to tell you all I saw, so I had to take advantage of these few minutes before we eat supper to write you. Don't you think that we have been busy boys since we landed in this city? I don’t exactly know what the program will be tonight. I think that all the theatres are closed, but the evening is young, and we arc pretty certain to keep going. New York is the easiest town in the world to find your way about; of course, when it comes to seeking information

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24 THE IGNAT!AX sunshine, fruit and flowers: nor shall I burden you with a lengthy description of my transcontinental trip, tilled though it was with wonders that my fertile imagination never conjured as existing. We traveled via the Santa he. passing through Arizona, Xew Mexico, Colorado. Kansas. Missouri, Pennsylvania, and finally along the Hudson River to the Kmpire State. Your own experience as an American traveler will enable you to recall the glories of each of these places far better than I can portray them. In my own case, however. I doubt if I shall ever again have the good fortune to enjoy as much the trip over the American continent, for we traveled 450 strong, and every habitation along the way manifested its patriotism and showed the proper spirit by tendering us the municipal keys and allowing us the full possession and use. tree of cost, of street cars, fire engines and sundry municipal instrumentalities. As you know, I bear you no ill will whatever, but I did wish that you were one of us on the night we arrived in Xew York. One of the natives informed us that the temperature was 10 degrees above zero. At the time I was too cold to argue with him. but I insist to this day that it must have been 133degrees below zero. Since the day of our arrival the brand of weather has been such that it might fairly be compared with that of our own California, and we have received information from sources that are fairly reliable that the winter season is now spent, for which we are all quite thankful. There are about six thousand men quartered here, living in barracks, about sixty men to each barrack, and every regiment having its own mess hall. With my wonted humility I hasten to apprise you of the statements that we have heard on all sides that our California unit forms the finest body of men that has entered the camp up to this time. The first day we were here men holding college degrees were taken from the unit and placed in another regiment, and are now taking a special course of instruction. In all about one hundred men were chosen, and am diligently ap-