Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-16
TROOPERS HERE
ENROUTE SOUTH
TO HUNT VILLA
Uncle Sans Regulars from Western
Forts Stop Off in Omaha Long
Enough to Stretch
Their Legs.
BAND PLAYS LIVELY AIRS
Cavalrymen Anxious to Join Forces
Now at the Front on South
ern Border.
SOME WERE THERE BEFORE

Omaha was invaded" by United
States troops twice yesterday, the
first time in the morning when erst-
while villa "chasers" from Fort
Robinson, Neb., arrived at the Web
ster street station on a special train
over the Northwestern, and again
last night when the United States
regulars from Fort Meade, s. D.,
pulled in on another special
Troops l, K, L and M of the
Twelfth cavalry from Fort Meade.
Colonel J. c. Waterman command
ing, comprising nine officers and
about $50 men, arrived at o'clock
yesterday evening.
The Fort Meade troop special was pre-
ceded by the train OF impedimenta. con-
sisting of thirty-six cars with about two
score men aboard to care for the horses
and mules. In the train were several
Fears filled with hay ond grain and field
equipment.
starts on Way south.
mained at the Webster street station
long enough to be watered. after which
1t was taken to South Omaha by the
Missouri Pacific, going south to Kansas
City about 1880 O'Clock. The train of
impedimenta preceded the troop special
out OF South Omaha, the latter following
within the block"
Boys Look mt City.
Being given an hour at the Webster
street station in which TO eat and stretch
their travel-cramped limbs, the Fort
Meade soldiers swarmed fro mthe coaches
like a crowd Of schoolboys out for a lark
and scattered to the four winds to enjoy
the precious sixty minutes.
Pedestrians on Sixteenth street found
tbs Fort Meade contingent talkative cav
alrynen. any any Interrogation ON what
the Villa followers were going TO get
when they got to Mexico met with a
ready and timely reply. Most OF the men
vouchsafed the information without be-
ing questioned that they were itching for
run in with Villa and his crowd.
The troops left Fort Meade. near stur-
gis, s. D., at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Command I'm Good shape.
Colonel Waterman and his officers de-
clared that the command is I'm excellent
shape and well prepared for anything
that may turn up on the Villa bandit
chase.
Notwithstanding the uncertainty OF the
hour OF arrival, a fair sized crowd was
on hand to meet the special from Fort
Meade. The absence of a band did not
give the evening reception" as martial
~en air as the morning ovation, but the
patriotic and curious Omahans who were
there made up in enthusiasm what they
lacked in numbers.
Men Leap from Cars.
North Omaha was full OF soldiers In
the morning. Troopers from Fort Robin
son, Neb., could not wait for their train
to reach the Webster Street depot. Most
OF them jumped off at Grace street and
walked down Sixteenth street
Travelling on a special train over the
Northwestern, Colonel H. G. Sickle com
manding. Troops r and @ of the Twelfth
cavalry from Fort Robinson. nine officers
22S men and the regimental band. OF twen-
ty-nine pieces. with Ed j. Hendricks
leader, arrived about 10 o'clock The men
were greeted with loud and prolonged
cheers as they detrained and scattered
for a short time TO straighten their legs
after continuous ride of twenty-eight
hours.
Taking Horses with Them.
The train of impedimenta, CONSISTING
of one tourist car vita thirty men aboard
Continued on Page Two. Column Two.j