Letter to the editor: Help needed to solve WWI postcard mystery

• Front of postcard

Front of postcard
• Back of postcard

Back of postcard

Talk about it

While I was attending a recent high school Nordic ski meet at Giant’s Ridge, I was given an old postcard by an older gentleman who wanted me to find the local descendants of the writer’s family. The postcard, dated July 20, 1918, is actually a photo of two fine-looking army recruits, sent from St. Paul, Minn., and addressed to a Mrs. John Carson, R.1., Box 18a, Two Harbors, Minn., The note reads as follows:

“Hello Mamie. How are you. I’m well. Hoping you’re the same. Sending you a picture of me. Will get off tonight and Sunday. I think we will get a few days off before we leave here. Greet all.”

A side note reads: “Clarena E. [or Clarence ?] Write”.

The note is not signed, unless the side note is actually his signature. I assume that the writer and the other man in the photo were getting ready to ship out as part of the American Expeditionary Forces sent to Europe during World War One. I would ask that anyone who knows of, or may be descended from, a Mrs. John Carson contact me at 834-5072. The card should be in the proud possession of the writer’s family.

Tags: opinion