Chester L. Wood

Soldier Boys Leave

The first soldier boys from Lowell left for Ft. Wayne Saturday morning. They were Chester Wood, John Windbigler and Cleon Wisner. Letters received from the boys stated they had arrived at Ft. Wayne all right and were immediately sent to the barracks at Columbus, Ohio. These boys will all serve in the infantry. On Monday morning Walter Bater went to Hammond and will later go to a barrack. He enlisted in the cavalry.

These boys are the first from Lowell to answer the call of their country for volunteer soldiers, and everyone of them was anxious to get to training so they would be in a position to fight for Uncle Sam. The best wishes of the entire community go with the boys, and many prayers will go up for their safe return.

Boyd Davis left yesterday morning for Ft. Wayne, where he went to enlist and will probably leave at once for some training camp.

from The Lowell Tribune, May 3, 1917, page 4 (page 8 on microfilm), column 2:

Two More Enlist

Two more Lowell boys, Charles Tanner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tanner, and George Minninger, son of the late Mat Minninger, have enlisted in the army, both boys going into the coast artillery service. They will leave today for Ft. Wayne and from there will go to Columbus, Ohio.

This makes nine of our boys who are now serving Uncle Sam as follows: Harvey Windbigler and George Holmes, coast artillery; John Windbigler, Chester Wood, Cleon Wisner and Boyd Davis, infantry; Donald Quincy, navy, and the two men mentioned above.

From The Lowell Tribune, May 17, 1917, page 5, column 6:

We have received a card from Chester Wood, one of our soldier boys, who is located at Fort Clark, Texas. He says he is enjoying army life pretty well and sends his regards to all his Lowell friends.

from The Lowell Tribune, June 14, 1917, page 1, column 3:

The following extracts are taken from a letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Chares Wood from their son, Chester:

Fort _________, Minnesota,
June 2, 1917.

Dear Folks:

Have been on the train since Monday noon and arrived in Minnesota last night. We sure had a fine trip this time. We paraded in Springfield, Missouri Decoration day, mustered in Galesburg, Ill. Thursday and had 90 minutes to roam over the town and we sure did roam. Had a nice time in all the towns we stopped in, and we made a few stops. We crossed the Mississippi twice--once in St. Louis 5:30 in the morning and then again in the afternoon. Then we came through the Ozark mountains; some hills, 250 and 300 yards high. Went through tunnels a mile long, and last night we went to see the Minnehaha Falls. There is sure some scenery up here.

We left Texas and the next day they were cutting oats along the way and corn was head high. Up here they are getting ready to plant corn.

We had pork chops and fried spuds for supper last night. Yes, we have a pretty good time, only we have not got any money, but guess we are that much better off. * * Now don't worry about me as I am all right and think I always will be. I am only 600 miles from home and that is only one day's ride. Tell the friends and neighbors hello. Must close for this time.

CHESTER L. WOOD
36th Infantry, Co. K.

From The Lowell Tribune, July 5, 1917, page 4, column 4:

Ray Wood has received a letter from his brother, Chester, who is serving his country in the army, and from which we are taking the following extracts.
Fort _____ _____, Minn., June 23, 1917
We are having fine weather here. This is Saturday and there is no drill at all on that day, so the only thing to do is to go to Minneapolis to the state fair grounds and see the auto races there, but I and a gentleman friend are going to St. Paul tonight to see the show for the benefit of the Red Cross society. You know this is Red Cross week throughout the entire United States. I am the captain of the 36th Inf. basket ball team. We played the 1st Minnesota N.G. Militia Monday night at the army Y.M.C.A. Have won from three St. Paul teams this week. I wish you could see some of the times we are having up here. Out most of the time from 12 noon till 12 midnight. We are forming two new regiments and there will be new officers. I will be transferred to Co. L 41st regiment some time within the next two weeks.

From The Lowell Tribune, August 16, 1917, page 6, column 6:

Chester Wood, who is in the army and located at Fort Snelling, Minn., arrived home Thursday morning on a ten-day furlough. He says he likes army life fine.

from The Lowell Tribune, August 23, 1917, page 5, column 4:

Chester Wood, who has been visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wood, here for the past ten days, returned to Fort Snelling, Minn., Friday evening.