New-York tribune., 1910-07-17
TRIM FOR THE C4DETS.
It's Made Up Of Mules, Al Tried
army Burden Carriers.

o.
hear IN these days is the latest gossip about
the new Inhabitants. Every Friday afternoon
VOL can see them, you are told. winding in a
Ions. line over the mountains under the escort
ot the cadet artillery or the cavalry or the
irfa-r-v- and the whole thing adds note ot
p5c,---escueness that even the beautiful West
Point has hitherto lacked. For the newest in
habita-ts are rnllIes-sixty-four Of the finest,
Ftsest and most irreProachabIe army mules that
the State OF Missouri famous for mules as for
other things, could produce.
The innovation Is due 10 the efforts Of C1;onel
Hugh L Scott the superintendent CT the acad-
eny. Heretofore when the graduated young
officers ot West Point have gone 10 their various
posts they have been wholly ignorant about the
details pertaining 10 the loading and manage
1aent Of the pack train The consequence has
been that when their commands were ordered
70 march OF when they were campaigning
against Indians and in the Spanish war the
officers were entirely az the mercy Of the cow
boy packers II all matters concerning the pro-
vision train FOR even IN these days Of mod
e-1 tuDrUveEarts" al army on the march.
especially IN uri-1proved or mountainous coan-
y, has 70 leave the transportation Of ali IFS
tOod and baggage 70 the faithful brigade Of
I.-ble mules which files after it
t. add Tie finishing touch Of practical knowl-
edge and experience 70 the training or the West
Point cadet for his army life this train Of pack
1ulss, especially trained for The service, the
first ever u come 70 this section Of the coun-
-. kas been stationed at the academy. With
tae animals are ten expert cowboy packers.
zader The command Of a master.
Colonel Scott, who is considered the hest
Informed officer ii the army on pack mule
49,
Indian campaigns. gave permission 10 Tribune
writer and Photographer to obtain pictures and
trst-hand Information concerning the ma
aRuvres, manner OF packing, etc, Of the mule
tain now q the academy.
This particular group Of animals, II seems.
S# actual service IN Cuba during the second
tatervention and although they are now at
West Point for purposes OF practice, they are
Kept II q state Of the highest efficiency in order
T" De ready for use in Alaska, on the plains
q wherever else they may suddenly be re-
CURED
down near the Highland Fails end Of the
West Point grounds the new artillery stables
sand, and il Is there that the pack train has
Is quarters. Down there IN the corral one
~--s tra1sI -a1taG g section Of Western life IN
G q It's picturesque aspects. The packers
Ts-S Their cowboy clothes and did not discard
--lf cowboy ways when they left the West
ne train is composed Of ffty-four burden !
~! !ls mules, and ten trained for saddle use, |
panied By Tie usual pack train organiza-
-'- u { Ia-z1-s-star, one cargador, one black |
----- cook, ten PACKERS and a bell horse. /
--5 u The most interesting figures il the |
'-'ie outfit is Dick, the bell horse Harnessed
- "-l1 q halter, 70 which is attached a 1
1-'''0 0-S bel, Dick walks at the head ~ the /
q is u1t-sputed leader. The horse goes !
-eFer he is told and the whole file of /
--g mules follow after, their long ears 1
~ ~ forward % catch the sound Of the bell. /
III they be either coaxed or persuaded |
--sef behind or deviate from the road
"14ler saw an instance Of this While |
= : : praclce march it was found necessary |
- Two q the rear mules to adjust tneir
rS, 0etter The main pack went on, with |
- swinging his loUd-sounding bell, and |
~ nearly half a mile in the interval |
.ocl 1-e Two mules were made ready they |
., U-er heels at the mad speed Of a |
= - down the road, heedIess Of the $50 pounds /
s. Vi Their backs. never stopping until /
Ttg oghf Up with the main train
=, 10"h IN the corral that the West Pointers /
u E Delng taught by the pIainsmen how
o- ropes set up and adjust the eparejoA |
COR. Sl1oles' how TO put the baggage in /
sbs,.- aho permanent bundles that will not /
- oose, and al the ether details Of ad-
rs,a. -01' and knot-tying necessary 10 the ar
tre u lne load, hot to mention the atten-