“Word came to us that Austin was sick in New Haven and the deadly influenza was sweeping the Artillery Corps[?] of which he was a member. Margaret and I hastened to the camp and found that military law opposed our seeing the boy. We Americans have learned a lesson in discipline and we bowed our heads in sorrow and in obedience to a command the seriousness and use of which we did not understand. Nurses were scarce and the boys needed care. The Mrs. volunteered to serve and together with other good women of New Haven they cared for the sick made the beds and did the thousand and one thing that an epidemic call for. This good mother passed down again through the Valley of Death with her boy and fourteen other boys and brought them through the Canyon of Dreadful Night out into the bright sunshine of health and life. From eight in the morning until ten at night this splendid woman did work that never before came to her. No complaint mind you, no fatigue and no grumbling.” (IMG_2476)
-McAleenan writing to Jimmy Simpson, November 24, 1918
Margret McAleenan
The Mrs., was discharged with honor. Her work was finished and the department closed down. She was more tired than she knew…
Joe writing to Jimmy Simpson, February 1st, 1919 (IMG_2471)
“During World War I Mrs. McAleenan was in charge of surgical dressing in New York for the American Red Cross. In World War II she was administrative assistant for the Red Cross Chapter here” (Margaret Obituary)
Joseph McAleenan
Bob [Frothihgham] seems to think that I am going to take [a] trip with him some where [sic] some how [sic] this spring. I am not. You know that I will not go away until Brooks comes home and can go with me. God knows it has been bad enough to be a non-combatant in this war without going on pleasure trips or for a hunt while your friends are facing death or worse in in [sic] the red fields of France where crimson poppies will grow nurished [sic] and dyed with the life fluid of the best America and England have bread.
I had no part in this war, that is no part of a very active sort. I have been mixed up in the Secret Service and could have had an appointment to the War College with a view of a Commission in the Intelligence Branch. I turned this down for in all probabilities if I had accepted I would have held down a desk job in Washington and even if I could have gone to France the sacrifice would have been to great for it would have meant a perfect ruin of my business and the kiddies and the Mrs., came first. We have seen the gratitude of nations and we know that it is of a character that means but little in the affairs of life and their cares. So Jimmie I did what I advised you to do, stayed at home and looked after the family, giving every dollar I made to the soldiers and the cause. Had I kept any of it I would have felt that it was blood gain, a possession to be ashamed of and a heritage of shame for the kids to bear. It may be all damn nonsense but I felt that way and could not be happy with any other result and as my happiness came first I followed it whether the course was foolish or wise. (IMG_2471)
Harlow Brooks
The old Lady has enclosed your most welcome letter to me and it sure did me great good to get some word from you and the trail. I have been on the big hunt but our game got cold feet and quit and I have no grouch for his doing it though I cant feel that he has got his belly full of licking yet.
I have been very lucky because as soon as I landed in France I was sent on a good job immediately at the front and I have seen the real thing and was to have been right in it until the end, we had no idea here that it would finish so quick and there was just a little sense of disapointment for we felt that we had him in a sure round up and had he not caved in so yellow, I dont see how we could have failed to cut off his entire army in France. Well, it has been a wonderful hunt, I am as hard as nails, down to a flat belly and think that I could give even you just a little fun on old Pyramid and I should not forget my gun either, have got used to packing it now. (Brooks to Jimmy, December 2, 1918 IMG_2698)
Soldier book IMG_5322.
Letter to Billie Simpson IMG_2480.pdf
See more in Brooks bio, see more in McAleenan bio