The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-09-07

The BOySSwim and Dig Clans
Between Stunts and Buff
Lucas Finds a
Crab

Camp Summers, Gearhart, Sept. c.
Ed. Journal: The train which brought
the Oregon National Guard to Camp
Summers was several hours late. and
did not arrive at Gearhart until about
$3.50 o'clock. There are three bat.
talions, which consist Of about 600
men in all. besides the officers and
statf. The battalions were formed as
soon as the train arrived, and marched
in a body to the camp grounds. which
are a mile and half from the sta.
ton.
The men we're put promptly to work
putting up tents. cleaning the grounds,
filling ticks, etc. and in very short
time the place had a different appear.
ance.
Supper was not served until z
O'Clock, and no drill was had on ac.
count OF the late hour.
The camp is situated in an ideal
place. although It is far away from
any settlement, the nearest place be
ing Seaside. which is about three
miles distant The camp is a pretty,
grassy place. surrounded on three
sides by beautiful tall trees. and the
ocean on the west There is a variety
Of ground to drill upon, there being
hills and gullies. level ground and for.
ests Everything has strictly mill.
tary appearance. as there are only
about 20 campers here. and we are
practically by ourselves. Revellle is
sounded at 5:15 a. m, and the morn.
ing is taken up by battalion drills.
AS there Is no Third regiment band,
there has been no dress parade In the
evening. but the Seventeenth Infant
ry band, from Vancouver, arrived TO
day, and hereafter the regular sched.
ule OF drill will be had.
Until today the weather has been
good. with a cool. stiff breeze blowing.
but there have been showers today.
The nights are very cold. and there
is considerable fog in the morning.
The rules OF this camp are the most
strict they hav. ever had, and they
are all enforced. consequently the
camp is extremely orderly.
In the afternoon and evenings some
of the boys go 10 Seaside, but most
OF them 90 down to the beach and
make large bonfires. and sing songs.
and have a general good time. Yes.
terday several of the Salem boys went
to dig clans for mess, and came
back with seven gallons OF fine ones.
Bun Lucas. Salem's popular first
sergeant. looked wise" and told the
boys he would show them how 10 dig
clans. He saw a place in the sand
where he thought there was some
thing doing" and said, watch me-
He started to dig. and soon startled
the crowd about him by pulling up
some big object. which had him by
the little finger. AS he stood and
danced the horn pipe" kind-heartef
private helped him to remove a four.
pound crab from his finger He has
not recovered from the shock yet, but
his wound Is not serious.
The boys who were thoughtful
enough TO bring bathing suits get the
benefit OF the ocean baths, and the
rest have to be content with "goin in
wading." as they have no suits here to
rent.
The Salem company takes IT'S turn
at target shooting Sunday, and they
expect 10 do some good shooting with
the new rides. Up 10 the present time
the rife shooting has not been very
good among the companies. and Sa,
lem stands a good chance.
All the companies in the regiment
are small this encampment, as 1t Is a
bad time of year for the men 10 go.
There is not a full company here, and
the average is only S5 men. Every.
one seems 10 be enjoying themselves.
and no complaints have been made.
The ride 10 Gearhart was long and
tiresOme. and everyone is trying to get
little rest. There is always a large
crowd on the beach, stretched out on
the sand. watching the breakers, and
yesterday several OF the Salem boys
saw three whales. not very far out 10
sea. at least that Is what they say.
but the others say they have TO show
them" FRED KREss.