The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-09-15
MILITARY LIFE AT NoGALEs

paragraphs VI u SptTlI0U l0Jt0T 1TOu
one of the California militiamen al
Nogales:
while it is but natural that the
viewpoint of q hurried, not to say
harried, buck-private marking time
in large mobilization camp is APT
to be somewhat narrow, nevertheless
we will endeavor to present to your
consideration the following pot-pour'
ri of news, noise and nonsense:
Right off the reel shall unwind
a paragraph or two as regards the
country hereabouts and the leading
facts pertaining to recent history.
1.-THE towns of Nogales, Arizona
and Nogales, Sonora, are sort OF
hyphenated duo. their physical re-
lationship being about as close as
that of the late lamented Siamese
twins. The boundary line runs d.
rectly along the middle Of Interna-
tional street, but the American SEN
tries, sitting peacefully on soap boxes
at more or less regular intervals, are
the only reminders that such Is the
case. Civilians may cross the line
at will, but to the brave lads in
q. D." (olive drab) such liberties
are strictly nix, IL not more so. In
fact, the powers that be have many
moons since issued an order to that
effect, bristling with dire threats,
and 80 woe betide the misguided one
who is caught disregarding it. How
ever, in view of the fact that overalls.
blue cotton shirts and caps may
sometimes be borrowed, and because
dance halls full of pretty and ap-
proachable senoritas abound in No
gales, Sonora, 1t Is whispered that
often some of the more adventurous
souls, muttering, ITO with
the ORDERS" have run the gauntlet
and had whale Of time.
When Trouble Began
"The two Nogales are situated
amid rough, hilly country, with
mountains to the south and east.
There for years they had existed in
peaceful contentment, the Diaz and
American governments being quite
harmonious in thought and action.
And then NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the grand round of insurrection and
rapine and murder that has made
Mexico the abcess on the continent
of North America.
"Nogales, Sonora, became a center
of activity and was the headquarters
alternately of Carranza and Villa.
Naturally, this state of affairs was
more or less disquieting to the
American population Of Nogales,
Arizona, especially as the greasers
outnumbered them three or four to
one.
The First Fight
1.-THE Twelfth U. s. infantry was
sent down here little over two
years ago, and that, of course, gave
the Americans feeling OF greater
security. At the same time the over
bearing insolence of the Mexicans
was almost unbearable, and 1t was
only last November that the climax
came in the nature of battle on In
street between one COM
pany of the Twelfth and an armed
mob of Carranzistas, and cleared the
air. One American soldier, Stephen
Little, and over 200 Mexicans were
killed in this mix-up. AS result
the fear of the heretofore despised
''gringoes" was impressed upon them.
The check was only temporary, how
ever, and it is reall yhard to tell
what might have happened had the
troops not been rushed in the border
points last June.
Getting Into Shape
There has been a wonderful i'm
in the general bearing OF
the various units OF federallzeo
militia since their arrival mere, put
much is yet necessary before they
would be available for active held
service Discipline, coupled with lots
Of hard work, is gradually making
of soldiers out OF organ
ICED mobs of raw John recruits, tor
such were the boys when they ar
rived here. OF course, there IS lots
If excellent material to work on,
,specially in the western regiments.
1.-THE spirit of discomfort, intense
,omesickness and a general desire to
get back to the home states seem TO
De found IN all Inc CdupS GNU "oS
ire flying thick and fast. There is
, general belief that we will all soon
ret out of here and our places be
taken by General Pershing,s COM
nand, now coming out of Chihuahua.
However. one can get a bet either
vay. as some of the boys cling to
IN idea that we will eat Christmas
Inner here. Maybe so, for time
lone will tell, as you might say.
Camp Conditions
Conditions seem to be generally
rood. Sanitation is looked after very
,arefully. We have a showdown in
pection of arms, clothing and equip
nent every Saturday morning, while
very morning the hunks and tents
must be in order. AS far as clothing
8 concerned our boys are well cared
or. For example. have drawn four
uits of underwear, four pair OF
light woollen socks, three pair OF