The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-11
f|RSI'NO.L|GH1S
ANDiIHEN NO.CREW
DELAYED TRAIN
Were Alin Fine Health But
Hungry And Travel
Stained.
WANTED TO SEE SERVICE
But Had to Come Home
When the Order Was
Issued.
wanted TO SEE SERVICE


Not literally, of course, for he and 200
odd companions came in stuffy Balti-
more and Ohio coaches, but in spite
Of the uninspiring surrounding of his
home coming he was received with
Just as hearty welcome as If he had
tr1dged many weary miles from
bloody fields.
II was not Johnnle's fault that his
brow was not graced by garlands OIL
laurel. 1t was with firm purpose born
of the snoblest possible patriotism that
helleft, but a short while ago and the
heartaches and the tears OF those he
left behind were Just as genuine as
were the high aspirations in Johnnies
mind. So far as Johnnie and those
who love him. are concerned the leav-
ing was the real thing, and for augnl
those who saw the train steam out
knew some of the brave boys who were
on board would never see the bcauti.
ful hills surrounding Fairmont again.
And that fact establishes Johnnie's
status. He is Just as much of hero
asit the fellows who have come to grips
with the enemy on the battle fronts
of.Europe. 1t was with pride as well
as love, therefore, that Johnnie was
welcomed when he arrived here. There
may have been a tinge Of regret in his
breast that he's did not get chance
at the real thing. but that will wear
of before long and when he gets time
toIremember that he is better soldier
and citizen as result Of his trip to
Camp Kanawha he probably will re.
gard 1T as one Of the happy episodes
OF his life even though he does feet
that Adjutant General Bond owes the
First regiment and the people OF the
state q large and long explanation re.
garding the call for the regiment and
the air of mystery which was thrown
about the whole movement by the au.
thorities at Charleston.
The men got in at lis o'clock. Lo-
cal Officials Of the railroad did lot
Of guessing during the morning rs to
the probable hour of their arrival.
Not once. however, did they guess the
right time. The arrival would have
been a tame affair, therefore, but for
the fact that the station was filed at
the time with people who were wait
ing for outgoing trains. AS 1t was
few Of the people who had planned to
be on, hand to cheer were there. Once
of the train the boys did not stop to
fall in but walked In punches to the
armory whsre they exchanged heir
uniforms for citizens clothes. Tonight
when the formal transfer OF equipment
ismade at the armory the men will be
paid.
The trip home was made under the
most uncomfortable circumstances.
The regiment left the mobilization
camp yesterday afternoon at s o'clock
IN three sections. The section in which
Companies II and were travelling
did not have any gas In the coaches
and as the officers were unwilling to
have the men travel in darkness the
train laid at Huntington from until
11:30 until lights could be provided.
Then this morning when the train ar
rived at Parkersburg 1t was discov.
cred that no crew had been provided
to take 1t on through and 1t was
necessary to make further delay un.
I'll railroad men could be called and
put to work.
The men are in the best Of health
and none was left in the hospitals at
the: camp. All the members Of Com.
panies II and who were physically
ftitook the federal oath and were anx.
ious to go to Mexico. Naturally they
returned home a bit reluctantly. but
as zone of them put It this afternoon,
There was nothing to do but obey
orders.n
Captain Rollo Conley who has been
assigned to the command Of the new
machine gun company announced as
soon as he arrived that he would go
right to work putting the new COM
mand upon a full footing. He has
been given a nucleus from the mem.
bership OF the two infantry companies
but he will need many more men and
he is anxious to see any young men
who want to volunteer.
Men From First Join the Second.
(By Associated Press.)
CHARLESTON, July 1.-The sec.
ond infantry under a blazing sun con.
tinued Its preparation for border du.
y. Reports from the First infantry
TO Adjutants General Bond showed that
Q number; OF men had elected to trans.
fer their enlistments to the second,