Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-16

land Good Lord, cant get my com
pany together" said Capt. Perley, but
no sooner did he make the remark
than about 90 of his friends unceremo-
niously grabbed and hustled him off.
assuring him that this is no time for
discipline" to which he was forced to.
agree.
Everywhere in the crowd family re-
unions were going on, sweethearts and
wives We're welcoming husbands. sons
and lovers with widespread arms and
hearts full of Thanksgiving. Very lit
tie cheering was done for the hour was
not one of hilarious demonstrations,
rather, 1t was one Of silent but earnest
Joy at the safe arrival of the boys.
But not all came back safe and
sound, for Private William Brooks of
Madison, a member Of Co. E of Show
hogan, one Of the most popular men in
his company fell under a train at Ath
oil early Saturday morning, his leg be-
ing cut off near the ankle. He was TAX
en- at once to the Kendall hospital at
Athol, where the leg was amputated.
Sunday he was reported to be doing as
well as could be expected. And the sad
case Of Private Lowell Of Co. K, who
was shot and killed in Laredo, was
told by a member Of his company to
the Journal representative, who in
quired about the incident.
The second train which came in con-
tained Companies. E, F, G and H, with
tho Hospital Corps. and the last train
brought Companies. NJ, x. L and 1 and
the Bangor Machine Gun Co. Many who
mere present thought the crowd even
larger than the one which gathered to see
the departure Of the troops nearly four
months ago. When all the, trains had
given UP loads of soldiers, Rines hill pre-
scented a spectacle which will never be
forgotten by any of the vast crowd pres
ent. From top to bottom it was lined on
both sides with people who had gath
cred to see the boys in khaki, and the
center was a solid brown mass of SOL
diers. militia when they went away but
now much changed in appearance and
in reality regulars both in discipline and
physical appearance.
The trip to Texas has done much for
most of the young soldiers, case after
case has been found when a young man
who tipped the scales at around 100 when
he left has come back weighing 20 to IS
pounds more than he formerly did, and
with the ruggedest kind of q constitution
behind the increase in weight. The Off
GERS are unanimous in praise for the work
done by their men. Capt Perley proudly
announced that not a single case OF
courtmartial was held for any of his
ne ante ba, u for
the fine shape in which he had brought
back their sons. not man from his COM
pany having been lost through either ac-
cident or sickness. you said you'd bring,
them all back to us, and you did it,"
mother tearfully told the captain, who re-
taliated by telling her how splendidly
her son had done his share in the hard
days under tropic sun.
At Camp Reyes
The troops did not waste any time n
parading. but marched straight TO C3mp
Keyes. where load after load OF supplies
and camp equipment was being hustled 81
and dumped in front of the various CON-
pany streets. The big wooden frames
were hastily covered With canvas the
khaki army tents were taken from the
teams and unrolled. shedding BILE
clouds of Texas alkali dust as they We're
subjected to the stiff wind that had
swept the field all day. Many of the
boys tangoed, wrestled, boxed and chop
ped wood to keep from getting cold 9th
ers erected the tents, the company cooks
hustled about to prepare their table and
camp stoves, over which were presently
hanging black kettles filled to the rim
with savory soups; the odor of hot coffee
VAS waited all through the big camp,