An American Living In Vienna Experiences The Beginning Of World War One – “…We Are Still In No Danger As Long As We Stay Here… Every Available Place Is Filled With Wounded Soldiers… Many Americans Went Home When Your Letter Went”

(WORLD WAR I). ALS. 3pgs. November 13, 1914. Vienna. An autograph letter signed “Libbie Tappan” by an American living in Vienna at the start of World War One. Tappan writes home to her sister in America concerning wartime conditions in Vienna. She mentions lies of the media and the fear that her letter will be censored: “My Dear Sister: I wrote you a letter, sent 21 by a lady who was going home to America. She would amil it in New York. Irene sent one to her Mother, she has received an answer to hers. SO I am wondering why I don’t hear from you At that time every thing was excitement. All mails from here was stopped and now we have to leave our letters open. Irene’s Mother wrote her to come home at once but we thought it was to big a risk to run. We had no idea that they were writing all lies until we got hold of an American paper. War was first declared here on account of the to be next king and his wife were killed by the Serbians. There is such a lot to tell but for fear it will never reach you I will only say the German Kaiser is not to blame. The Germans and Austrian Hungarians have never lost a battle we are not starving and there is no…here. All places of amusement were closed trotting was stopped, the first of August. Things are beginning to brighten a bit now, but there will be no racing until next year. Every available place is filled with wounded soldiers and we don’t see much else but soldiers although there has never been a battle here in Vienna. I am so sorry about Marvin. It seems too bad he had to be taken. I hope you let Eugene and the rest of the folks know about us. We are still in no danger as long as we stay here. I am so sorry I cannot send you some money but it is impossible now. But just as soon as it can be sent will send. Remember me to all the ladies? There was a call for linen for the wounded. Irene did two pounds out of my old linen. I thought of you all how busy you would be if you was here, there was a ship load of red cross nurses and doctors come over some of them are here in Vienna. There were many Americans went home when your letter went. They were nearly a month on the way. I suppose it cost them a small fortune to go I don’t think of any thing else just now. Will write soon again. Trust you are well, and all the ladies also. Berdette & Irene sends love Ever your loving sister Libbie Tappan”. An interesting first-hand account. It is in very good condition and the original envelope is enclosed.