anxiety. We expect to land at Bordeaux sometime Wednesday morning and I guess we will all be mighty glad to see trees again. This ocean voyage gets very tiresome.
I found out yesterday that a cable gram home would cost only two dollars so I will no doubt cable a very short message upon arriving at Bordeaux. This is Sunday and I suppose you are all taking a spin in that fine car.
This evening there is going to be a little show down in the saloon (that, by the way, means dining room). It will be a good one no doubt as there seems to be a lot of talent aboard.
A man just came tearing in to state that another ship is on the horizon, so will run out to look her over. Before landing will write more and give my address in Paris.
Love, Byrl.
Letter
May 29, 1917
(NOTE: An edited version of this letter appeared in the June 22 issue of the PLAINVIEW NEWS.)
Dear Folks,
It is now seven o’clock Tuesday evening. About an hour ago we met a convoy boat which was waiting to take us into Bordeaux so that now we expect to get in about eleven o’clock but will not leave the ship until tomorrow.
Last night was a bad one. Very few people slept a great deal as the lights were put out about nine o’clock and we were instructed to lie down with our clothes on and to always be on the alert for submarines. But none were sighted so I think we are getting out of the danger zone.
Yesterday I wrote a letter to both the girls. (NOTE: his sister) Park (NOTE: his brother) no doubt will be able to see this letter. If you notice the stamp reads 25 cents. Well, that means just five cents in our money. Those are centimes in French coin.
Am giving my address below, also on the outside of the envelope. Write soon, as it takes so long for letters to go four thousand miles. Tell all the news – war included.
Love, Byrl.
Write to: 7 Rue Francois Primies
% Norton Harjes Ambulance Corps
Paris, France.
Western Union Telegram
From Bordeaux
To E. L. Sylvester, Plainview, Minn.
SAFE.
Phoned
Post card
May 31, 1917
Dear Folks
Arrived in Paris this A. M. Have orders to be ready to leave for camp in two days. Everybody well and happy. Letter later.
Most sincerely, Byrl.
June 1, 1917- 13th Annual Convention of Federation of Women’s Clubs- St. Charles. Mesdames G. F. Sylvester, E. W. Schwanbeck, F. A. Taylor, M. J. Nerbovig.
Letter
June 1, 1917 Paris
(NOTE: An edited version of this letter appeared in the June 29 issue of the PLAINVIEW NEWS.)
Dear Folks,
We arrived here in Paris last week Wednesday and have been busy most of the time since getting ready to leave for the camp.
Tomorrow at 6:15 A. M. about twenty of us are to leave for camp about thirty-five miles from Paris where we will study the driving of the cars and do repair work.

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