Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-23
Our Soldiers on the Border
BY Frederic J, Haskin

Washington. d. c., Sept 20.--"Tex-
as Is some state!" Fortunately for
Texas this Is now the unanimous YER
diet that comes from the militia sta
toned on her border. In the begin
ming it looked as if Texas were not
going to please them. The men were
tired from their long journey and
many had left cool country to take
up active residence in a climate where
the summer temperature varies only
among the nineties. To the stranger
it seems as If all the dust in the
world has been gathered UP and de-
posted on the south Texas roads, and
this feature proved vastly irritating
to the men while marching. Altogeth-
er. Texas was made to feel that she
was considerable of disappointment.
But Texas pretended not to notice
it. She went about her languid way.
and met the men in the trains with
sandwiches and roast chicken and
postcards already stamped ready to
be mailed home to their families and
friends. She conducted the men
amidst admiring professions to the
camp sites and drawled out few
apologies for local conditions. This
was the beginning Of her hospitality
campaign which has lasted ever since,
and which has made every man feel
at home in Texas.
Then there was long period of
quiet and the men again became rest
less. Many had left their homes and
families, and great majority had left
important positions to take long
journey south to hot arid country
ostensibly to fight the Mexicans. The
situation had become fiat Then a
course of war lectures began which
seized upon the mems imaginations.
The first of them dealt with the ques-
ton which had been asked again and
again. Why are we here? The Off
Ger spoke of them frankly and at
length, applauding them for their &C.
ton in joining national guard in
the first place; in coming to the Dor
der in the second place, and in accept
ing conditions as they were with a
high patriotism which sacrificed per-
sonal interests to the greater interest
of the nation Then he pointed out
that the Mexican situation was not
any safer than 1t ever had been. Con-
ditions on the other side were worse,
with Villa still at large, possibly al
ready instigating another raid. The
prestige of the country was suffering.
he said. and the American public
growing FESTIVE, so that a move might
be forced at any time. cat any rate,
whether needed in Mexico or not. the
training Of this large force of men is
going to be a fine thing for the coun-
try-is, in fact the greatest step
which has yet been taken in the pre-
paredness program" he concluded
Meanwhile, the camp has become
somewhat in the nature of college
campus. Glee clubs have been organ
nightly concerts are held before the
bugle note is sounded. Polo matches
are arranged and played before an ad-
miring Texas audience, and baseball
clubs have been formed among all the
regiments. Every military town along
the border now has baseball dia-
mond. At Brownsville the Y. NJ c.. A.
has established headquarters for the
militia. with moving picture project
ing machine, a victrola, piano and
games for the men, as we'll as maya
zines, free stationery and ice water
Two nights a week the building is
turned over to the troops for amateur
performances, one night being devoted
to musical numbers and the other to
just stunts Fifty Y. M. G.. A. build
ings on this order are now in process
Of construction throughout the militia
towns on the border
BY way of amusement the Illinois
troops at Brownsville started publish
ing their own weekly newspaper. con-
tanning the news of all the regiments
on the border The sheet has recent
ly attracted the attention of. the New
York Times which has given it an es-
tablished reputation. The first issue
made it's appearance about six weeks
ago and really startled the regiment
by its newspaper technique and clever
composition. 1t is four page paper