The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-26

Tex, Dec. 23.-The North Dakota boys
are going to leave for home. But they
placed North Dakota on the map.
There is a lot of regret among army
men on the border because these
soldiers are going back now. Higher
officials talk it. Out loud. too. For
we all like thoroughbreds-in horses,
in men and women, in every phase or
life that comes. And that's what the
First North Dakota boys on the
border now are-what they were in
other days when soldiers were need
ed.
heard at Brownsville on Monday
night that North Dakota soldiers
would be among the 10000 to be sent
home within ten minutes after the
wireless had received the word. And
I dropped other matters, packed my
grip and took the first train for
Mercedes. For / wanted to write
something more of Colonel FRAMES
regiment before the return-to tell the
folks back home again that their boys
had made good" And l knew. from
what army men had said to me that
| these F1ickertaiI soldiers had made
good
Barefooted boys 'romped upon the
streets. Women walked along the
! thoroughfares in their thin dresses.
|
shirt sleeves. There were roses bloom
| ing in many yards and the wild flow
! ers flourished over the land. The sun
beat down upon us--not unkindly, but
| in gentle warmth. Cold ashes were in
| the camp stoves of the squad tents.
| There had been a light frost and the
! banana trees dropped with shriVeled
| leaves. But the palms waved high in
waxy green luxuriance, and the ebony
70
would please any member of the Anci-
ent Order of Hibernians. A barefoot
| ed Mexican woman walked along the
street to her daily work. Birds sang
| in the trees. l sit by the open window
| in the office Of Captain Baird or DICK
| inson. The outer door and other
windows are also open. 1t has been
necessary to remove my blouse TO De
! comfortable. And when I told those
bows in the early morning that they
were to go home soon. they yelled and
yelled to show their enthusiasm.
They want to go home. They want TO
sit in their old places. to do their old
work, to greet the old faces. And to
do that they are willing to leave the
vine clad places of the southland
900 miles south Of New Orleans-and
90 back to North Dakota weather in
January. Is there a better PROOF of
what home" means to these boys? Is
there better evidence of what North
Dakota's charm is to themE
But sentiment, aside. what are these
bows going back to. folks? What will
it mean to them after their return
What will be mean to you, who are so
anxious to see these boys and nave
them with you again!
The First North Dakota came down
here in July. They came into mill
tary site that was covered with mes
quite and thorn. There seemed to be
cactus everywhere. They worked
ahead and cleared this land of the
thick brush. They waded IN their
work. trenches were dug. Boys who
had never used a spade before WORKED
shoulder ito shoulder with those VINO
knew how, and did not compialn-very
much. They became acclimated. Their
blood became thin. They were able to
withstand the hot sun. AS the tropl-
cal summer passed they took on tan
and strength. They were becoming
regular southerners." Along IN
November the first "norther" came. In
five minutes the chill came on. The
thermometer dropped and dropped
until it reached 3S above-and the off,
GERS and enlisted men, alike almost
froze. 1 slept under three blankets
that night and was colder than had
ever been in North Dakota under
three blankets. And / was there in
the winter of 1906-07, too. Since then
we have had two or three northers In
the valley of the Rio Grande, and the
boys have felt the cold intensely, until
they build fires in their squad tents.
Then they We're comfortable. Heavy
overcoats have been issued to them,
coverings that come almost to their
shoe tops. And they are generally very
comfortable. But am wondering how
they will stand that North Dakota
weather in January.
The North Dakota people might just
as well realize the condition now
and make ready for the homecoming.
Each of these soldiers must have
| winter clothing and an overcoat. The
palm-beach suit that he cast aside
when he left home will not suffice now.
He can't wear the military clothing
after he gets back. His company
commander is financially responsible
for these things. So. when the glad
homecoming day arrives, your boy will
come back to you in need of clothing
and employment Both should be pro-
vided for before he gets to his home
station. His well-being will require
that you attend to each of these de-
tails promptly and intelligently
Employment is far better than any
other kind of help you can offer these
boys. For work which will give him
money will keep his self-respect. He
is now boy of whom you can be
proud. Keep him SO. He has done
his bit on the border and he has done
1T exceedingly we'll. He is coming