My father was Sim Griffin, born Mar 22, 1897, died Jan 30, 1965. These letters were written from him to his sister Gladys Griffin Humfleet during the period 19188-1919. He had joined the Army and was in camp at Camp Pike Arkansas. The war ended in Nov 1918 but he spent several months in LeMans, France with the American Expeditionary Forces. He enlisted in the Army in 1918 in Purcell OK. From these letters, I pieced together a marriage of which I was unaware to "Pearl" though it appears they separated before he left for Camp Pike. Apparently they had a child named Josephine who died (my middle name is Josephine). I found an old picture with Sim and Pearl Griffin written on the back. I have a copy of their marriage license but have not found a divorce certificate. Apparently he was eager to get back with Pearl as evidenced from some of the letters but that did not happen. He married Adelphia Giles and had 2 sons. They then divorced and he married my mother Edythe McBride.
The parts that are highlighted below are clues I took from the letters about his relationship with Pearl. I believe that Joe (Gladys' husband) may have been Pearl's brother but do not have documentation. The original letters are very fragile and I have them in protective sleeves.
LETTERS FROM SIM GRIFFIN TO GLADYS HUMFLEET
Camp Pike Ark
Aug 30, 1918
Mr and Mrs J. H. Humfleet
(Purcell)
Dear Bro and Sis.
This leave me just fine and enjoy life the best kind. Hope this will find you all well and hope
Gladys is better and will be well in a few days. Well Joe, you ought to be with us boys. We picked up about 100 before we got here had 17 coaches. Our train got here yesterday 1:30 pm. Think I will like Army life just fine. Haven’t been examined yet. Look to get it about tomorrow.
Say Joe we sure had some crowd at Norman. Had all the iced water melons we could
eat. Had plenty to eat all the
way. Eat breakfast at Boonville Ark at
8:30 am.
So I’ll not write much this time as I have so many to write
to. Will write more next time. Write me at once how you and Gladys is
getting. So goodby.
From Sim Griffin
84 Casual Co.
162 Depot Brigade
Camp Pike Ark
Camp Pike
Sept 20, 1918
Mrs Gladys Humfleet
(Purcell)
Dear Sister
Will write you again as you surely have forgotten me. Haven’t heard from you but once since I came
here. I am well and enjoying my self
just fine. Hope this will find you
better. Got a letter from Mama. Last night they sent me a letter Mary had
written to Mama so when I read it it makes me uneasey about you. But I do hope you are better by now.
Mama sent me a fried chicken and some cake. Believe me I sure had some breakfast.
Well Gladys I am as fat as a pig. I only weighted 128 lbs stripped when I came here. I weight 148 ½ now so you see the Army is
agreeing with me. Say if you haven’t
sent that pillow yet you need not send it as I couldn’t use it very long. You keep the postage I sent you. Say Gladys I got 5 letters last night and
one package. I sure have my fun down
here. Are out of quarantine now. I got my pass last night to go anywhere in
camp I want to go. We have been
drilling a little for the last week or so have taken all of our shots in the
back. My vaccination is just about
well. So I must close. Write me at once without fail and let me
know how you are getting alone. Will
send you one of my pictures. They are
not very good I wasn’t in a good humor.
Will send you a better one later.
From your bro. Sim
Camp Pike Co 84 AND
162 Depot Brigade
Camp Pike Ark
Camp Pike Ark
Sept 20, 1918
Mr Joseph Humfleet (Purcell)
Dear Bro, this leaves me just fine and dandy. Heard you were sick. Hope these few lines will find you well as
it looks like you are having an awful time.
I sure sympathize with you all as I sure no (sic) what sickness means. Of course we have all got our troubles soon
or later. I do truly hope you both will
get well and live a happy life. I
have had my troubles and all my good times at home has past. But hope some day I will be free again.
Well Jo, you and Gladys take good care of yourselves. Maybe I can come and see you all some
day. Hope so anyway. So I am out of paper. Will close.
Hope to hear from you all at once.
Say it sure is cool here today had a big rain yesterday.
From Sim Griffin
Camp Pike Co 84 Ark
162 Depot Brigade
Camp Pike Ark
Camp Pike Ark
Sep 29, 1918
Mr and Mrs J. H. Humfleet
Dear Bro and Sister.
Will ans (sic) your letters just recd one written 21 – the other
26. Was sure glad to hear from you
all. I have been un easy about you all
and dreaming of you nearly ever night.
Was sure glad you both were better.
Hope when this lands will find you all up and enjoying your selves the
best kind. This leaves me well except a
bad cold and sore throat. Think I will
be alwright (sic) in a few days. There sure
is quite a bit of sickness here. Have
been several died since I came here. I
am getting fat as a pig. I only weighed
128 lbs when I came here that is I mean stripped. I weighed last Thursday and weighed 152 ½ lbs with my clothes
on. So you see the Army is agreeing
(sic) with me. Well we were transferred
from the mule barns in to the barracks last Tuesday eve. Got my gun and equipment Wed, have drilled
one day with my gun. Believe me you
sure have to be quick and make everything snappy in the Army. We are in quarantine just got out few days
before we came here and were quarantined here the same day we arrived. Today is the first time I have had any mail
in a week so I got 5 letters one from home 2 from you all so you can guess
who the rest was from – Ha Ha.
Say Gladys I have seen several boys here that I new (sic)
James Brison Jasper Gipson is just across the street from me. I written 3 letters for James this
morn. Charley Robers from Red Star is
here also Ary McMillon from Catalpa.
Got a letter from Willie said he was expecting to haft go most any
time. I bet he sure is dreading
it. I would give anything to see you
all. Don’t now (know – sic) just when I
can get a furlough. You write me when
you get ready to start home may be I could get a furlough and meet you all at
home. It all depends on how long we
stay here.
Say Gladys I think I told you not to send my pillow so if I
didn’t you need not send it as I have got used to sleeping without one. You keep the postage I sent you to write to
me with I want you all to write often and let me now (know – sic) how you are
getting along also all the news. Sure
can’t get any news here unless folks write us.
So I will close.
Write soon and all the news.
From your Bud Sim Griffin
Co G2nd training Regiment
Camp Pike Ark
La Sooze France
APO 762
12-15-18
Mrs Gladys Humfleet
(Purcell)
Dear Sis, will write you a few lines to let you know I am
well and hope when this letter comes to hand will find you all enjoying the
best of health.
Well to day is Sunday.
I am not doing anything. Would
sure like to be with you all to day I am sure we would enjoy our selves. We would go to town and have a real nice
time. Don’t you think so. Say what is Pearl doing. I’ll bet she is married by this time. Tell her I said to wait a little while. I am coming to see you all and would visit
her in a few days that is if she hasn’t for got she had a friend over
here. Tell her I have some real good
news to tell her when I get back and I don’t think it will be very long till I
can come home. Tell Joe hello and
I’m coming to see you all before long.
Well Joe I always heard there were lots of pretty girls in France. I haven’t seen any yet that looked good to
me. So I’ll just wait till I get back
to the good old USA and then I’ll try my luck again. Hope that I and Pearl can get every thing
straight again.
Well Joe what are you all going to do for Xmas. I sure would like to be with you all best
kind but don’t think I can be there.
But by and by it can’t be very much longer till us Yankees will be
home. Say Gladys I have written a
letter home today so I am getting tired and it is just about dinner time. So good by, wishing you all a merry merry
Xmas and a Happy New Year.
From your bud,
Pvt Sim Griffin
U.S. Army
Feb 11, 1919
Lemans France
Mrs Gladys Humfleet (Purcell )
Dear Sis. Will write
you a few lines to let you no (know) I am well. Hope this letter will find you the same. Have been having some real cold weather over
here. How is it at Purcell – cold I
guess. I am still working an the lbr
yard yet. What is Joe doing. Why don’t you all never write any more. I would think I have been over here long
enough to get an answer from you all. I
have only had one letter from you that was dated Dec 3. So write often as it takes so long to get a
letter from you all.
So I’ll close for this time. Write soon and all the news.
So good by.
God Bless you till we meet again.
Your Bro
Pvt Sim Griffin
Co 2 - Prov Coist
Organ
American E. F.
APO 762
Lemans France
Feb 22, 1919
Mrs Gladys Humfleet (Purcell Okla)
Dear Sis, this letter leaves me well. Hope you are all well. Well it has been raining to day the weather
is warm over here. It seems almost like
spring. How is everybody at
Purcell. It seems like you all have
forgotten me. I haven’t had a letter
for a long time. Say what is Pearl
doing and does she ever have anything to say about me. I have written her several letters but
haven’t heard from her. Wish you
would locate Uncle Noah and send me his address. The last time I heard from him he was at Fayetteville. Willie said he was going to Ohio. So I would like to locate him so I could
write him. Tell Mr and Mrs Olinger
hello and I said write a line or to. I
written to them about month ago. Also
tell Grandma Pierce hello and I would like to see them all. Say Gladys wish you would go to the cemetery and see about Little
Josephine’s grave. I’m afraid it needs
repair. You fix it up nicely and I will
pay the bill when I come home. I sure
wish I were there to see after it. If
God spare me I’m coming some day.
Well I guess I had better close for tonight and go to bed. May God bless you all and some day we’ll
meet again.
Tell Jo Hello and to write.
You must write often as it takes so long to get a letter over here.
From your Bro Pvt Sim Griffin
2nd Prov Const. Org
American E.F. APO 762
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
APO 762
March 6, 1919
Mrs J. H. Humfleet
Dear Sis
Will ans your letter recd yesterday. Was indeed glad to hear from you. This finds me well and having a good
time. Guess you was glad to see mamma
and Nellie also Opal. Tell Opal Hello
and be a good little girl and that I was coming to see her pretty soon. Why doesn’t Joe write any and what is he
doing. Say don’t worry what you have
been writing about, for nothing like that will happen when I get back
home.
Well Gladys have you put out any garden yet? I think spring is just about here the French
people is gardening some already.
So I will close for tonight and soon and all the news.
Your Bro
Pvt Sim Griffin
Co 2 Prov Const Org
q.m. Spur APO 762
AEF
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
APO 762
4/9-1919
Mr and Mrs J. H. Humfleet
Oklahoma City, Okla
Dear Bro and Sis.
Will write you a few lines this beautiful day to let you no
(sic) I am well and hope this letter will find you all in the best of health.
I have been looking for a letter from you all for several
days. What is the matter. You must write often as it usually takes a
letter from 10 to 20 days to get over here.
You aught to write at least once a week. I had a letter from Pearl that was written Dec 8th. I have written you from one to two
letters a week so don’t wait so long (Please).
Well I haven’t been to town for several days. We were under quarantine 14 days for measles
was lifted yesterday. So I will get to
go down town any time I want to. Will
have some pictures taken next time I go and will send you one soon. Well Joe there was a boy from Ardmore Okla
left for home to day his name was Lige L. Marrow. He has been in my co. for quite a while. He got a affidavit from home stating that
his bro. Was seriously ill also his mother needed him at home. I don’t know (sic) when I will be home for
sure I think probably I will get back by mid summer or early in fall. Hope so any way. I understand we get a $60.00 bonus when we get out
discharge. So believe me I am going to
have me a time when I start for home. I
get about $2.25 more on the month now.
We never get any U.S. money they pay us French money. But it is good any where we can exchange it
for real money if we wish to.
So this is all will write more next time. Hope to hear from you soon. May God be with you till we meet again.
Good by – Your Bro.
Pvt Sim Griffin
Depo Service Co 45
A.S.C. QM Spur
APO 762
Lemans (Sarthe) France
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
APO 762
April 24, 1919
Mrs Gladys Humfleet Oklahoma City Okla
Dear Sis. Will ans
your kind and welcome letter recd few days ago. Was glad to know you were all well. This leaves me well and having a good time. I can go to town most any time I want to we
get a pass from the Spuv it is about 2 miles from town. There is a bus line runs from here to town
ever hour till 12 midnight.
I was at town yesterday also Sat. went to a restaurant and
got bo koo eats. Also all the beer I
wanted. We are working at nights
now. Will probably begin working days
next week. We have been working from
four to five hours per night. They have
been giving us contracts that is so much to do and when the sooner we get it
finished the sooner we come in. Then we
sleep all the rest of the night and all day if we want to.
Well Gladys, I am sending you a small souvenir. Also one of my pictures they are not very
good. So I hope you will get them OK.
Wish you would send me some of your pictures. Also try and get one of the baby’s
pictures and send it to me. I guess
Pearl would give you one. Be sure and
do all you can to get one for me. I
want to have it so I can have it taken over here. I wish I had some way getting some flowers from over here to put
on its little grave. If you are down at
Purcell be sure and go see about it and if you can do anything on fixing it up
I will pay you when (?) when I get home.
I had better close.
Write soon and a long letter.
May God Bless you till we meet again.
Your loving Bro
Pvt Sim Griffin
Depo Service Co40
ASE QM Spur
APO 762
Lemans Sarte France
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
APO 762
May 3, 1919
Mr & Mrs J. H. Humfleet (Oklahoma City)
Dear Bro and Sis.
Just a few lines to let you no (sic) I am well and having a good
time. Hope this letter will find you
all enjoying the best of health. I had
a letter from Mama and Papa yesterday.
They were all well except Little Opal she had the mumps. Hope she will get over in a few days. I sent you one of my pictures few days
ago. Hope you will get them OK. Altho they are not good may be you can tell
who I am.
Say I am going on a
3 day furlough to Paris next week.
Wish you all was here to go with me.
I am sure you would enjoy your trip.
It is only about one hundred miles from here so I will tell you all
about the pretty sceneries I have seen in Sunny France when I come home.
I am looking to start home any time will leave anyway by
June 12th.
Am sending you the 12 guard orders that we have to learn in
the Army. Of course this is a new order.
Will I will be due a service stripe Friday May 9th
but hope I will not haft to stay long enough to wear two so I am going to close
and wait till I hear from you again. I
believe you all could write a little oftener if you would try, don’t you think
so?
Good by From your
Bro
Pve Sim Griffin
Depo Service Co
A.S.E. qm spur
APO 762
LeMans France
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
May 25, 1919
Dear Gladys
I recd your letter yesterday 24th.
Was more than glad to hear from you and that you were all
well. This leaves me well and having a
good time. Hope this will find you all
well. Well I am not doing very much now
except drill. It has been pretty hot
over here for the past week or so hasn’t been raining very much lately only had
one little shower last week. You said
you had not recd any mail addressed to you since you moved. I have written ten or twelve letters since
you have moved. I should think you
aught to have gotton part of them by this time. I sent you one of my pictures just before or after Easter. I don’t remember which. Anyway you should have got it by now.
Well Gladys I have never written anything that to you or
Joe about Pearl to hurt your feelings at all.
Of course you all no (sic) she didn’t treat me right. I have written to Joe several times since I
came over here and he has never written a word. Joe has no right whatever to be sore at me. I have always treated Joe right and now if
he doesn’t write it is perfectly all right.
I am glad to no (sic) you will write. I have written to you all regular since I
came over here now Gladys you must write a little oftener. I would like to get a letter every week anyway. I write 2 and 3 letters to you ever
week.
Will close for this time.
Hope to hear from you soon.
As ever your Bro.
Good By
Good By
Pvt Sim Griffin
Depo Service Co H5
A.S.E QM Spur
APO 762
Le Mans France
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces
June 12, 1919
Well Gladys,
This leaves me well and enjoying life just fine. Hope these few lines will find you all
well.
Well Gladys we are getting ready to leave for home. I think we will leave Friday. I heard we would sail Jun 18 if that be the
case will soon be home again.
I have been looking for a letter from you for several
days. Got a letter from a friend to
day. Don’t write any more till you hear
from me. Hope to see you all soon.-
nothing new will close.
Your Bro
Good By
Sim Griffin
Depo Service CO45
A.S.E. APO 762
Le Mans France
(On Salvation Army Stationary)
Camp Stuart VA
New Port News VA
July 6, 1919
Dear Bro and sis.
Just a few lines to let you no (sic) I am well and landed safely.
Hope you all are well.
We landed Sat eve about sun and how glad I were to see the
good old U.S.A. one more time. We were
8 days and a few hrs over on the water.
A fellow sure is glad to get on land after he’s been on the
water that long.
Well don’t no (sic) when I will be home. Expect to be there in a week or so so no
need to write any till you hear from me again.
I written you wile on the sea. You will be apt to get both letters the same time. No more for this time.
Your Bro.
Sim Griffin
Depo Service Co Hq
223 LeMans Prov Bat
Camp Stuart
New Port News VA
