The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1916-12-28

quite and thorn. There seemed to be
cactus everywhere. They worked
ahead and cleared this land of the
thick brush. The rain fell upon them
and deluged the land. They waded in
their work. Trenches were dug. Boys
who had never used spade before
worked shoulder to shoulder with
those who knew how, and did not
complain--very much. They became
acclimated. Their blood became thin.
They were able to Withstand the hot
sun. AS the tropical 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 80 above
and the officers and enlisted men alike
almost froze. l slept under three
blankets that night and was colder
than l had ever been in North Da-
kota under three blankets. And I
was there in the winter of 19O6-07,
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
are comfortable. Heavy overcoats
have been issued to them, coverings
that come almost to their shoe tops,
And they are generally very comfort
able. But l, am wondering how they
will stand that North Dakota weather
IN Januaryc(gIJ2 ,,t.4 ,.- g.. ..'
~, Palm Beach Suit Not, Wanted
The North Dakota people might just
as well realize the condition now
and make ready for the Homecoming.
Each of their soldiers must have win
ter clothing and an OvercOat. The
palm-beach suit that he cast aside
when he left. home will not suffice
now.r He can't, wear ou the military
clothing after he gets back. His COM
pany commander Is financially respon-
stble 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 provided for before he gets
to his home station. His well-being
will requipe athat you attend to each
OF these "details promptly and intelli-
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 COM
Ing back to you improved in many
ways. He will show more grit and
stamina than he did before he went
away. This service has made a real
man of him. Keep him so. And idle
ness will not help him. He is going
to neew some real work to do. He
took the place of another boy-per-
haps your boy. He is ready, and has
been ready, to 60 across the border
and fight for his country, whether
your boy goes or not. He had done a
lot for North Dakota. He had made
a wonderful name for the state. Here
and there laggards have been found,
JN0S 40 IAOy Will w AOulu Ill CVCIy
organization under the sun. You will
find who they were when they get
back home. But ninety-nine per cent
of these boys have worked hard and
we'll and they have done much for the
glary of the commonwealth. They
have made fine start for finer citi-
zenship. Boost the game.
Best Outfit on Border
A military man of recognized
strength, one whose service dates
back to the Philippine service, but
who did not know that l was par
ticularly interested in anything said
about the First North Dakota, said to
me:
II regard the First North Dakota
as the best outfit on the border. I
have watches these men with a good
deal of interest. Their morale is won
derful. They look and act like SOL
dters. If l were going to be given a
bunch of men to take across l would
prefer the First North Dakota. That's
how feel about the regiments have
seen, and have had the opportunity
to intimately know many regiments
since they came down here in the sum
mer."
General Hall, retired, who has been
visiting troops on the border, and who
did not realize that know any North
IlnlS ~ -