Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, October 16, 1918

Education--other | Health, illness and death | Home/Farm life | Military | Place--Hampton, VA

Roger Yancey tells his mother, Harriet, about the Spanish flu epidemic and war preparations.

Army and Navy
Young Men's Christian Association
"With the Colors"
To the Writer: Save By Writing on BOTH Sides of This Paper
To the Folks at Home: Save Food, Buy Liberty Bonds and War
Savings Stamps Picture on letterhead: YMCA triangle symbol and American flag

To: Mrs Harriet Yancey
Esmont
Va
Alb. Co.
From: Roger Yancey
H.N.A.I.
Hampton VaPostmark: Hampton VA
Hampton Institute
OCT 17
8 AM Picture on envelope: YMCA triangle symbol, "With the Colors"

Oct 16 1918

My Dear Mother.-

your I rec. both of your letters and was very glad to hear from you I also received the rubbers and chestnuts the rubbers fit both of my shoes, thank you so much. I am well and truly hope you and the children are well. The Spanish Flu is very dangerous 3 soldiers died here Sun. & Mon. together. I think it is 56 cases here I started to move from Stone Blgd. to the barn so as to be near my work but I dont want to change now and I dont think I will, 500 soldiers are expected here this week & 200 from Fisk University. I lost my night shirt in the laundry I will see the major

(page 2)

tomorrow about it. give my love to all. My best regards to Mr. Gruirley and tell him he was my next best friend in aiding me to make my money to enter this Institute your are my best friend, I see a observation ballon every day mostly. Mama will you please send me some [missing text] in a letter for to put round my neck has Violet gone back to wash. Mama when you have any thing else to send later on when It [missing text] cold Send me my cap. and blue coat. I am in the Y.M.C.A. now. I certainly did enjoy the Chestnut & ?Hazel? nuts.

I have anothe pair shoes given to me they will do until cold weather & snow I am going to have my tan one half sole at the trade school. part of Tuskegee Trade school was burned yesterday how is Czar M. & H. and ill will write longer next time

your son
Roger.

Pray for me.

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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