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Mrs. Viola Madigan

Somewhere in Germany

Aug. 4 1918

Dear Friend,
I will drop you a few lines to let you know I am still alive, kicking and having a good old time.  I am 
still fat and sassy as ever, I hope all of yours are enjoying the same blessings it is still cool heare 
[sic], so cool that my coat and I are close partners.  I hardly think you can say that for August at Home  
I got a letter from Mass and Manda and they said they were all O.K. Well Sam I am up where can hear the 
big guns noise now. at times it sounds like an old fashined 4th of July Celebration.  With all kinds of 
fire works but I dont [sic] see any lemon aide or peanuts candy or chewing gum.  say I am out hear [sic] 
in the woods and I got a gun and plenty of ammunition and not a squirrel or rabbit in sight, aint [sic] 
it fine.  Well if I dont get my game I guess I will have to do without.  I have found a new way to dig 
potatoes just drop a big shell in the middle of the patch and when it explodes pick up the potatoes if 
you can find them.  it might do to thrash beans as I never seen it tried.  Well how is coal

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digging now.  I wonder if it would seem natural for me to get in a coal mine once more?  How is every 
thing [sic] at Home. do you get any rain.  We have rain every few days hear [sic] so We dont [sic] suffer 
from the Hot weather.  say how is the squirrel crop this summer.  it is very slim here as I havent [sic] 
seen a squirrel since I bin [sic] here.  Well I am about froze, so I will close and try to warm up just 
think of it half froze at the 4 of August. sitting out doors at that will close with love
from same old soldier boy
Irwin

Mech. I M Runyon
Co. -C 139 Inf.
A.E.F. Via New York.

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W.W.I.139.47