Here are transcripts of letters from “the War to End All Wars,” sent home to the Blue Ridge and printed in the Alleghany Star, 100 years ago during World War I. They were clipped and saved by the Irwin Family and are part of Minnie Lou Irwin’s papers. John Irwin brought them to us, after he found the articles in his mother’s papers. The Alleghany Star evolved into the Alleghany News, and we are posting the letters from their “Somewhere Over There” series here, with their permission.
to S. O. Edwards from his son Private Carper E. Edwards
to I. O. Reynolds from his son Walter
to Mrs. A B Taylor from her son Corpl James Luther
to Mrs. Lulu Landreth from her brother-in-law Jno M. Landreth
to The Star from Pvt Thomas Walter H. Harris
to Miss Eula Edwards from her cousin Pvt. Kennie R Andrews
to Mr and Mrs T A Edwards from their son Alvin
to W O Jones from his sons Soloman and George
to Mrs. Guy Rector from her son, Pvt Glenn Rector
to Mr. Ed L. McMillan from his brother Corper McMillan
to Mrs Artie Joines from Walter Caudill
to Miss Stella Rector from her cousin Pvt. Walter Cheek
to Mrs McKinley Steadham from her husband
to Miss Dora Pasley from her brother Pvt. James H. Pasley,
to R M Nichols from his son Lt. Lee Nichols
to Mrs H R Richardson from her son R. G. Richardson
to Miss Reba from her brother Sergt. Floyd Miller
to E M Rector from his son Corporal Adlai A Rector
to The Star from Walter Reynolds
to Mr. and Mrs. W E Joines from their son Garfield
to The Star from Pri. James A Maines
to Mrs. Katherine Dial from her brother McKinley Steadham
to Mrs. I M Higgins from her nephew, Dillon Edwards
to S A Choate from his son Capt. G W Choate
to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Miller from their son Floyd Miller
to Mrs. Carl Irwin from her brother Andy Wilson
to Mr R V Andrews from McKinley Stedham
to Mr and Mrs Lee M Pugh from their son Corp Grover M Pugh
to Miss Clyde Williams from Elmer Williams, grandson of D C Williams
to home folks from Tom D Carson
to Squire Morgan Edwards from his nephew, Garnet Edwards
to The Star from Pri. S B Doughton
to W M Rector from his son Pvt Ernest L Rector
