The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-09-14

The following interesting letter Is
from Rollin E. Jaberg, Sanborn boy
serving with Company G, First N. D.
N. G., to Willie Murphy, Of Sanborn:
Mercedes, Tex, Aug. 26, 1916.
Dear Murphy: Major Frank" has
given us the "once over" for the week,
so l am at liberty for while. Men,
tiOning heat, we have some of the
to 100 degrees and with the humid at
mosphere it is some warm. You in
the north probably have heard that
old crack they take at the border;
about having house on the border
and one in hell. l certainly would
leave for hell at once. Still, things
are not so bad if you are able to see
the humorous side of things. A little
bit of humor certainly shOrtens up the
longest marches. l enjoy the hikes"
though it is a change from close order
work. We are hiking under heavy
"marching ORDER" which is some load,
especially with 80 rounds in your belt.
A squad and couple of officers left
Thursday on a recruiting detail. They
are to report at FIT. Lincoln. | Won
der what luck they will have
You already may have Jacks opin.
ion and description of this country, but
l shall try to give you more. We are
about six miles from the river and
about % from the gulf, camped in the
outskirts OF the town of Mercedes.
Mercedes has about 1000 population,
over three quarters Mexicans. This
town, as all towns on the border are,
is divided into the two quarters-Mex-
lean and white. There is not much
intermingling of races, for the Texans
certainly are sticklers on the Mexican
question. A "greaser' is more afraid
of ranger than of the devil himself.
The rangers and their "forty-fves"
constitute all there is of law and order
here. They are a combination of
sheriff, judge, jury, and in the case Of
Mexicans, executioner as we'll. AS to
the land, this country must have been
submerged at one time for the soil is
literally full of shells, mostly snail.
Soil is of two varieties, both of which
may be found in city block. But to
our misfortune only one is found
where our camp is Situated That is
mud, good old "dobe" mud People in
North Dakota imagine the Red River
valley the stickiest place on earth But
let them come down here and try
marching IS miles in heavy outfit"
and they will have different opinion
Where the soil is not of "dobe" it is
sand. Mesquite, cactus, Spanish thorn
plants and brush cover the country.
When cleared, citrus fruits, cotton,
bananas and sweet potatoes thrive So
DO scorpions, centipedes, tarantulas,
diamond back rattlers and several
more kinds Of snakes, scorpions and
tarantulas especially. Nothing un-
common to shake scorpion out of
your shoe in the morning Though the
days are hot the nights are COOL A
good nights rest can be secured if you
use your mosquito netting. But if you
do not you will be very near exhausted
fighting the hundred and one insects
that are always ready to devour you.
The worst are sand feas and CHG
gers" The "chiggers" are so minute
that they cannot be seen except with
a microscope. They bury themselves
like wood tick and wait to be fester-
ed out. I've heard that we would be
home next month, but hardly believe
it. Well, must cut it and prepare for
guard mount. Certainly enjoying the
news, Murphy. Come again. Regards
to all. SHOCK.