SMITH, Carl to - WWI - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Aug 29, 1934 11 a.m. (postmark)

VB Hospital Fri – Eve --

Dear Folks: The VFW Auxillary was out here today and gave us some cigarettes and a stamped envelope & paper so will write more fully than I could on a postal card.  I am not feeling so good this am not sick.  I am awful nervous and jumpy.  This is a swell place, as such places go I guess.  I am in a nice four-bed ward with flowers, electric fan, radio at every bed, and a fine bunch of fellows.  I am in bed part of the time.  Just lay around and be here when they call us for something.  They take their time here in putting a patient thru the clinic but everyone says that when they get this they know what is wrong.  Several have told me that they are second only to Mayo’s. So far I have had temperature taken twice daily.  Have had a blood test, blood count, two exrays of my ears, dental exam.  Dental exray of my teeth and a lot of questions from the ward Dr.  finding in each thing are put on your chart and when it is all complete.  You thus have physical exams by specialists on each trouble, then you are ready for treatments & operations as necessary.  I hate to have to stay here a week or more, on account of you all, am worrying about how you are getting along of course, but the only way I could get out before they want to discharge me is to just refuse treatment, call for my clothes and come home.  And as this is all in connection with the Veterans’ Bureau and all particiels ? are rated for their comp. or pension by their condition while here, it would be foolish for me to do that don’t you think.  If I did I would be for ever out of luck to get anything. The treatment here we get is wonderful & I am entirely satisfied far as myself is concerned.  As I said, you use the prison check as you see fit.  (he previously worked as a guard in Putnam County) Let more go awhile, don’t go hungry to pay him.  (Charlie Moore owned one of the grocery stores in Waveland).  He surely won’t get sore under the conditions.  If he does let him get.  I go to the dining room for my meals, and they sure do feed good. For breakfast this am. Had eggs, buttered toast, corn flakes, grape nuts and coffee and milk.  And all you can eat of everything. There is a library on my floor so I have read some (he was a major big reader – his granddau, Karen Bazzani Zach, takes after him as do my children and some of my grands).  The Legion Contact Officer came up to see me yesterday  to see if I needed anything.  Told him to look up my claim for back pay. Said he would.  I don’t think there is any chance to even getting anything but wont hurt anything. You never can tell.  The other guys in my ward of three live in the city, have visitors every day and it makes me feel bad.  Have a notion to call up Clarence Oliver, may be he would come out and visit.  Well I hope you gals are OK.  Sure miss you.  How is Billy & Mickey? Did you get my card Sister/ We have supper at 5 and it’s nearly time so think I better close for the present.  Just can’t tell how soon I will get home.  If you want to write just address me at Veterans Hospital, W. Riverside Drive 26 St.  No use to put any ward, for I will be changed later, before they operate on me I know.  With Love, Daddy