The Lincoln Times

Cpl. Tobey Writes Of Visit To Rome

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Tobey have received an exceptionally interesting letter from their son, Cpl. George Whit Tobey, who is with an aviation engineer battalion in Italy, in which he tells them of a recent visit to Rome. Through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Tobey we are publishing the letter, dated July 7, for the benefit of the many friends of Cpl. Tobey. The letter follows:

Dear Mom and Dad: Hope everything is all right back there. I am getting along fine. Had a letter from Hamp the other day and he gave me Billy Hoffman's address.

So Johnny and Julia got married. I received a letter telling me they were going to be married. I got the letter on their wedding day. I received an announcement the other day also.

I will now relate to you some of the things I saw the time I visited Rome. I saw the Coliseum, Parthenon and Vatican City. At the Parthenon I saw the tomb of the first king of Italy and some other tombs. At Vatican City I saw and heard the Pope speak, and I received his blessing. I went through St. Peter's church, the largest in the world, and went to the top of the huge dome. The picture I sent was taken on top of the church, just before we went up to the dome, which is in the background. I secured a few pieces of Vatican money. Do you realize that I was on neutral territory while in the Vatican?

I saw St. John's Church, the oldest, and the place where John is buried. Also the place where Paul's and Peter's heads are located. Peter's tomb is at St. Peter's Church. I saw St. Paul's Church and the tomb where Paul is buried. St. Paul's is the most beautiful church in the world. I saw St. Mary's Church, the richest in the world. It has gold on the ceiling which was brought from America by Columbus. The most amazing thing was the cemetery inside of a church. This cemetery is made up of visible human bones only. There are designs all around on the ceiling made from the bones of 45,000 different skeletons. Some of the skeletons are still intact with their robes still on them just as they were at the time of death. There is one body that is 300 years old and the skin is still on the body. It is just like silk and the bones are visible beneath it. Also dirt from Jerusalem provides the floor in this cemetery.

I saw the place where Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and the place in the Catacombs where he and Peter were supposed to be found dead. They have the chains that held Paul. I saw the 29 steps that Jesus walked up to go on trial before Pilate. They are located in a church, and as these steps are climbed by Catholics they say a prayer on each step, and all the climbing is done on the knees. It was on the ninth step that Luther decided to break away from such ceremonies and so the Protestant religion began.

I saw the graves of the great English poets, Shelley and Keats. Also the grave of Dante, and the tomb of Raphael. Also great designs and works of Michelangelo and Bellini.

I saw the place, just as it was left, where 500 Italians were shot, ten at a time, by the Germans last March because 32 Germans had been killed by underground troops. The Germans then set off mines which covered the bodies with dirt. You can actually smell the bodies as you walk by. Saw some of Mussolini's buildings built in his honor and also a bridge. Saw the stadium where Olympics, or great sport contests are held. Also saw partly completed buildings and a four-way highway that Mussolini was building as a place to celebrate victory when he won the war. Boy! did he count his chickens before they were hatched? I saw Mussolini's famous balcony, too.

There are other interesting things and places that I saw, but I can't remember them at this time. I believe I have mentioned the most important. I saw the University of Rome, also.

You can read this letter to Margaret and others to whom it might hold an interest. I am really being blessed by having such experiences. Maybe I can tell you more about them when I get home. Write and I'll be thinking of you.

All my love,

GEORGE WHIT.

P. S.—How was the Fourth celebrated in the States? It was celebrated over here by each piece of artillery on the front lines firing a round into the Germans at exactly 12 o'clock on the Fourth.

G. W.