Floyd Boyce Phillips was one of millions of boys from the United States who were sent across the Atlantic to the Old Country to fight in the Great War. In this series of posts, we follow the 101st anniversary of Floyd’s journey and get glimpses of what was going on at home while he was over there.

Many thanks to Coralee for providing me with artifacts throughout the years and especially for the stack of WWI-era letters that were delivered to me on 31 May 2019. They have provided countless hours of family history entertainment.

– Denise

Still excited from his wedding on Wednesday, 8 January 1919, Arthur wrote a lengthy and descriptive letter to his brother Floyd. Stuck in France, Floyd of course, couldn’t attend the wedding. So, Arthur made sure to describe the festivities, and the gifts they had received. He seemed genuinely excited about receiving things like silverware and towels.

283 Grand Ave.

Jan. 20, 19.

Dear Floyd: —

Well old boy how are you getting along now? I suppose that you are at your same old job. We haven’t heard from you for a few days & the thot has flitted thru my mind if you could possibly be on your way home. But that is to good to be true so I have to put that out of my mind. nevertheless we sure will be glad to see you home.

If you only had old Florie then you could beat the world and in her super speed and ambition she might swim the pond, pass the Statue of Liberty and race across the continent to good old Hill Crest! How does that sound to you Foe?

It sure seems good, tho queer, that I am a married man now.

– Arthur Guy Phillips

It sure seems good, tho queer, that I am a married man now. By the way “my wife” is out in the kitchen preparing dinner. We surely have been treated fine and everyone have remembered us in great style. Talk about “gifted gee us!

…A bed spread from Rose, by the way that girl wears a diamond.

– Arthur Guy Phillips

I guess we have over $50.00 worth of silver ware alone. 4 half doz (2 doz.) sets of tea spoons. 2 sets (1 doz.) of knives & forks, cream ladel – olive spoon – jelly spoon 2 gravy ladels – cold meat fork – four desert spoons – berry spoon – steak set – ½ doz. soup spoons. And a swell silver cake plate. That is a few of the poor ones, we’ll show you the rest when you come home. Then there was several other things. A bed spread from Rose, by the way that girl wears a diamond. A silver (embroi-embro—-) fringed casserole from Abner & his lovg wife.

Three dandy pictures of scenery – I gave one of them. The others from Albert and Charles. Some of that silver was given at the reception. Then there was a hand painted cake plate or cold meat plate. 2 table clothes – half dozen napkins. By the way dad gave one for 25.00. after all said and done the little token that you send was appreciated more than any thing else. We call it a salid set, what is correct?

Of course, our wedding was rather short notice all around, as we only had about a week to prepare for it.

– Arthur Guy Phillips.

Of course, our wedding was rather short notice all around, as we only had about a week to prepare for it. You see I haven’t settled with the R & I didn’t know just how it would be on that account, but I took the chance anyway. ‘Harvey’ claims that it won’t make any difference.

On short notice mother gave a linen or cloth shower which really resulted in a regular storm. Including all pieces there was almost 50. Nine good bath towels some worth more than 1.00. 13 or 14 linen towels, dresser scarfs, “doilys” hand towels and I don’t know what all. Believe me boy but it pays to do this “stunt” in the open. Florence wanted to run off and do “it” at first. There are quite a few other things that I have not mentioned – for instance 3 five dollar gold pieces and a 10 from what grandma Boyce was to leave for us. Lily Spink gave a swell pair of hand “fringed” pillow slips. When I was in the hospits 3 yr ago she told me that she would give them to me if I married the right girl.

There was no names mentioned, but she E. Klink nevertheless I called her up a few days before we were married. She had forgotten the promise but I reminded her and the results were great. It pays to have nerve.

Morey’s gave a picture – also of scenery, then we got aluminum pie plates etc. etc. Other articles too numerous to mention.

We had a great time at the reception that father & mother gave for us. There was but one thing that was that you couldn’t have been with us.

– Arthur Guy Phillips

We had a great time at the reception that father & mother gave for us. There was but one thing that was that you couldn’t have been with us. We had a fair crowd there being 94 present. There was quite a few that have to give it up at the last minute on account of sickness etc. I am like Griffin if there could have been just a few more I think that we could have handled 25 more tho it might have been a bit crowded.

This is Tues now & I have somewhat forgotten just what I wrote about the reception. Sarah B. played a few pieces and Helen Manning Adson sang quite a few pieces. Sarah brought a girl of 14 with her who gave some readings and she was just fine, as a matter of fact we surely had talent in the three.

Arthur described his parents’ home and explained how they had engineered a way to pump water.

Everyone certainly had a great time, and believe me the folks have got the home to give a crowd a good time. There isn’t a thing that I could change, everything is so simple, the big living room is simple with those massive openings & the fire place is all that is needed for ornament. The massive stair case is all that is needed in the hall. The dinning room is about the same. The buffet is the best you ever saw. Of course these things have been told to you a dozen times. On the 11^th hr. we fixed up the old kitchen & we fed them all in there about 20 at a time. That is the style now days.

We was going to fix up that 2 hr engine to pump water with, as a matter of fact we had it up to J. Britz’s & is there now all done. But dad put in a ¼ hr. moter & is all you have to do is press a switch. It has all gas engines beat a mile. We did the washing by belt last time & had 10 washerfulls. The actual cost was 1 ½ ₵ for all about 3 ₵ __cover wear & tear etc.

There was but one hitch & that was that the preacher was a bit late, but there was a convention & he couldn’t get away.

Well chiten mate I guess this covers about all the ground concerning our great event, tho we are expecting a few more presents from the north.

Arthur explained that he and his bride had a very active social life. One outing included parents Guy and Gertrude, grandma Amelia, and brother Charles.

If we fill all of our invitations I am sure that it will take us a year to do it. But we are going to take in a few of them. Florence & I want to jorney by the way of her folks when we go north, but I don’t know just how that will be.

We are going to have the W.A. farmers club tomorrow & the 20^th cen. next time. We are real society folks now days as we have company etc right along.

A crowd of us were invited up to “Uncle Abners” last nite & we had a great time didn’t get up here until about 12 or after. Father & mother, grandma & Chas – Flo & I from our side. Chas & Merty Manning “Pa & Ma” & some of the Gunantocks. They all come her Thurs. Plenty to do old scout. But this is the time of our life & I want to make good while we are here.

But this is the time of our life & I want to make good while we are here.

– Arthur Guy Phillips

Next…

A Letter from Balsy

Who is Who?

Guy and Gertrude Phillips Family

Floyd was the middle of the five sons of Gertrude Lovin Boyce and Guy Allison Phillips.

Sources:

“Arthur” [Arthur Guy Phillips] (Illinois) to “Floyd” [Floyd Boyce Phillips], letter, 20 January 1919; privately held by Denise Krueger, Rochester, MN, 2019.

The Phillips Family

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