Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-06-23
.GUARDSMEN SPEND
LAST NIGHT HERE.
Some Stay at Home, to Bid Their
Farewells. While Others
Prefer ,Armory.
ENTRA1N FOR LINCOLN TODAY

I It's probably the lasL ntghl VIC II
spend in Omaha for long while
maybe its the last night forever, for
some of US, so lets make it good
onep
Some inspired "rook" yelled this
just after the four companies of the
militia had been excused after 8. o'clck
mess. The idea took" like wild fire.
The boys made it good night, with
various significance to the emphasiz-
ed word good"
Some of them went home and spend
the last night in Omaha with their
parents, or sweethearts, others roam
ed about downtown, gaify ninglipg
with the crowds and parading their
uniforms, and still others cut loose
for a rip-roaring hot old time.
Many Places to Sleep.
Along about midnight, however,
nearly all werequartered at the Arm
ory at Twentieth and Harney. Here
the boys slept upon their blankets on
the floor, and on the roof, when prac-
tical jokers allowed them. A few slept
at home, and promised faithfully to
report at GAS o'clock this morning.
At o'clock, the four companies will
assemble in the street, and parade
d.wntown. At OILS they will entrain
at the Burlington depot, where spe-
cial cars will cary them to the mobili-
zation camp at Lincoln.
None of the four companies is ap to
full war strength, but yesterday aft
ernoop was marked by rush of re-
cruits, among them being several for
eign born young men, one of whom
was a German who could scarcely
speak English.
They were all assigned to the COM
pany Of their choice and the quarter
master dealt out supplies to them.
Todd's Company Popular.
"A week ago Company c, of which
E. c. Todd is captain, was almost up
to war strength. Late yesterday, after
nearly twenty young men had ex-
pressed preference for Todd's COM
Epany,' it numbered only about fifty
FIVE"
II gave the company good clean
ing out" explained Captain Todd. Il
am responsible for the company, so
I got an honorable discharge for
nearly all Of the maxsiei men audsfei-
lows who have folks depending upon
them. There were not 20 many of
these, but there were quite number
of trifers in I the company, and so |
put it up to them cold turkey-to
show some stability or resign.
Il want only such men in my COM
pany as ! can put on outpost duty at
night and then feel safe in letting my.
boys 60 to sleep. Ny company is
going to have nothing IL it but wide
awake, alert young fellows of high
moral character and good idea of
responsibility of military duty. No
trifers for me. This is no funny busi-
ness" -
Captain Todd has turned down
more applicants than any other COM
mander. Many were refused by
him enlisted in some other company.
The recrGting office in the court
house yesterday was full of appli-
cants, but only about one Of every
thrfe was accepted.
One man was turned down because
he> was knock-kneed, another failed
because of height and weight and an
others teeth and hearing was not up
to grade.
Quits Good Job. 4
"I'm quitting $500 a month job
to go as a private one recruit who
was accepted told the examining
board. He asked that his name be
withheld from the newspapers because
he did not wish bis parents, who live
out in the state to know until the
worst actually comes. Half a dozen
other recruits also made the same
request.
Many are the humorous and pa
thetic incidents that take place, every
few minutes at the recruiting office.
One fellow, recently bos'n's mate
in the navy, decided to become
militiaman. He appeared for exami-
nation, which he passed, but when
he stripped, he caused hearty laugh.
Nearly every inch Of his skin was
tatoqed with some kind OF a figure,
mainly flowers, animals, serpents
and women.
You'll be the star entertainer of
your COMPANY. he was told. "You
can give the boys moving picture
entertainment every day" '
Another fellow refused to take off