Camp Merritt, N.J
Feb. 14, 1918
Cap.
Dear Brother.
No doubt you will be greatly surprised to find me away down here. We left MacArthur Texas about a week ago, and chilea and sad we were glad to get out of there. Were you ever down at Waco or Camp MacArthur? No sunny South for me.
Ed, I bet you were disappointed in me for not writing, but up till a month ago I lost track of you. Jessica and your letter I more than enjoyed. Will tell you why I had not written you.
As you know, Arleen & I have been quite friendly, the past couple years in civilian life. Well we are still the same. She was down to Dauleno when I was there. Just after Xmas she came down to Texas with Paul. Nuff said. (No we were not married.) The craze did not bit us. She stayed with Paul and Walter. Or did you know Doc Muller, for Paul was married and stood up for them.
Ed, I am just stealing a little time & you know how hard that is for a Private.
I am no longer with our Bat. Was transferred to the Med Detach by request of Major Kenney. Dr. Walter Mueller and Dr. Geo. King from home are also with the same outfit.
Ed I know this is a cool and chilly note, but have been bothered a dozen times since I started.
Give my love to Jess and the bab. Will write you later.
Your brother
Jim
121 F.A. Med Dep
Camp Merritt, N.J.
Read the Early letters: LETTER 1: 1917 Jessica Early (nee Jessica Agnes O’Keefe, born Oconto Wisconsin, daughter of Dr. Patrick J. O’Keefe and Elizabeth Hoeffel) to her husband James Edward Early, World War I 1917 Oconto Wisconsin | LETTER 2: 1918 Letter from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I 1918 | LETTER 3: February 14, 1918 from James William Early of Green Bay, Wisconsin to his brother, Captain Edward James Early, World War I | LETTER 4:Feb. 1918. WW 1 Letter to James Edward Early, World War I from Walker, February 3, 1918 | LETTER 5: May 1918. Letter from Helen C. “Ella” Early, born October 13, 1896 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to her brother Edward James Early, World War I and her sister Margaret Mary C. Early | LETTER 6: July 1918. Letter of about July 15, 1918 Letter from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I in Washington, D.C. | LETTER 7: July 1918. Letter of about July 15, 1918 Washington,DC, from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I | LETTER 8: Aug. 1918. Letter from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I August 1918. Washington D.C. | LETTER 9: Jan. 1919. Memo from James Edward Early, World War I to Major Phillips January 1919 | LETTER 10: undated Letter from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I | LETTER 11: undated Letter from Jessica Early to her husband James Edward Early, World War I
Submitter: John Early Andrews
jandrewsfam@juno.com
Notes: Letter dated February 14,1918 from James William Early of Green Bay, Wisconsin to his brother, Captain Edward James Early, during World War I. Degree: St. Norberts College in DePere, Wisconsin
Third Oldest Child and was a daily communicant all of his life. He looked exactly like, and his disposition was exactly like, his brother, Edward J. Early’s. He married a wonderful woman and they had 5 or 6 girls and at least one boy. His niece, Betty Jane Early, recalls that the war ended before her Uncle Jim could go overseas. He entered his father’s tire and battery business after the war.
[Note: Arlene’s sister married Dr. Mueller. Jim Early and Dr. Mueller had summer beach houses right next to each other on Lake Michigan in Green Bay. Betty Jane Early recalls staying and sleeping at her Uncle Jim’s beach house summers and seeing Uncle Jim and Dr. Mueller out in boats fishing. Uncle Jim loved to fish. They would bring the fish to shore and grill them right on the beach. She recalls that her Aunt Arlene had asthma very badly.]