The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1916-07-14
CORPORAL sToNER GUARDS TRAIN
Meets : Salesman From Maryland
No Land Like Maryland He Says.

No Land Like Maryland He Says.
Letter from Corporal Reginald C.
Stoner, member of Company Il, First
Maryland Regiment, now at Eagle
Pass, Texas, writes TO his wife and
parents, in this city, as follows
Eagle Pass, Texas, July 9th, 1916.
Your night letter congratulating us
upon our safe arrival just received,
and glad to know that you are all
well.
We arrived here yesterday. We'd
nesday. July 5th, at s o'clock, a. m,
after a long tiresome trip.
1T was certainly hot, too, and has
continued SO, especially from noCn
until about 6 o'clock in the evenings.
The nights are delightfully."- cool, and
we get up in the mornings much re-
freshed.
We had 4 wind and rain storm as
we were pitching our tents, and il
certainly was some storm. The na-
tiNes told us that II was the first rain
that they have had since last October.
1t was accompanied by some hail,
also.
I also am told that every evening
this section is visited by a wind
and sand storm. which does not do
any damage
This Is a fine location for a camp,
and we are furnished with good food
and water. The shower baths are
nov being installed which will add
much To our comfort We are not al
lowed to go bathing in the Kio
Grande, as that Is being used almost
continually The
Well we saw all kinds OF country
on our way down here. None ! saw
would | exchange for Old Maryland.
West Virginia WAS rough, but
picturesque Ohio really vas the
best State We passed through. until
we reached Texas. Tennessee. Ken
lucky or Arkansas did not impress me
very much there being 50 much low
lands. Their main product is cotton.
After We entered Texas. the land
seemed to be fertile, and especially in
the northern part of the State, tie
improvements are good.
In this vicinity 1t looks more like
desert, and the only vegetation you
see is cactus. and little bushes about
three feet high. which are nameless
to me. This condition extends about
The people certainly did treat us
fine all the way down. as | told you
in a former letter. In Memphis, the
ladies served us With sandwiches. fruit
salad and coffee. The latter mas 3.
good that drank three cups ot It.
IN one little town in North
East Texas. We were mel. and
many Of us we're taken Over
the place in automobiles At
other places We we're served with
candy, oranges and cakes. At anoth-
er place Company II vas given FIVE
gallon can Of ice cream These del
icacies we're certainly appreciated, "a
our food was very light on the train.
II consisted of corn beef hard tack
and coffee for breakfast; beans. coffee
and hard tack for supper. and hash.
coffee and hard tack for dinner. The
ratIons are fine IN camp.
In Texarkana | got of the train
and had a good meal Of ham and eggs
A bunch Of Us also took bath In a
little pond near The railway.
In Waco. Texas, a city OF about
$4,000 inhabitants, We went around
sight SEEING. | dropped IN i lunch
room and happened 10 meet II sales
~
knowing that we we're Maryland boys
said our money was no good down
here. He paid for all the meals Of
our crowd, and We found him a splen-
did fellow.
We also stopped on at San Antonio
for about | hour. but we're not allowed
to leave the train. IL was from here
down 10 Eagle Pass. thai ! mad my
first experience on guard duty. Ny
squad was detailed To guard the train
from that point To this place. We
left San Antonio al II 30 J.. III. aud
at every station would put men
OF the train 10 guard the munitlon
cars. None Of US got any sleep dur
ing the night. as we had 10 ride out
in the open cars. and II gaH very
rough riding. too. for the Southern
Pacific makes good time. I am feel
ing fine. with the exception OF ny left
arm. as We we're Yaceinated the other
day and Is taking. Hoping that yon
are all well. and to hear from yon
soon. am with much love-
REG.