The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-08-17
Climatic Diseases Hit
Boysin Southern Camp


possible service with the government.
The possibility of a big railroad
strike was in part responsible for the
action, for military trains would have
to be operated in the event that the
shipment of supplies be cut off.
Should there be hostilities with Mex
leo, it would also be largely to the
advantage of the American govern
ment to have trained men of that
kind to facilitate transportation.
However, at present, everything is
quiet along the border, and no large
bodies of Carranza troops are be-
lieved to be in this vicinity. How
ever, the former militiamen are hav-
ing plenty to do policing this portion
of the border, where the Mexican
population is large on Texas soil.
The North Dakotans performed
very pleasant task last evening when
they signed the pay roll. They have
received no pay since they were called
out in June and the fact that pay day
is so near has had a tendency to
create a feeling of pleasant antici-
patton and light heartedness. The
reason is plain. Everyone is broke.
Today the boys went at the work OF
grading the streets Of the North Da-
kota camp under the boiling sun with
a will and before nightfall the Flicker
tail camp had the appearance OF one
of the neatest and most sanitary mill
tary grounds along the border.
A first-class drainage system has
been installed and it is believed that
the work done will in large measure
safeguard the health Of the men.
There has been much illness among
the North Dakotans owing to the
change from the high and cool alti-
tude of North Dakota to the low alti-
tude and damp, torrid climate OF the
southwest. Dysentary and fever have
caused the most trouble. but the North
Dakotans are beginning to become &C.
climated.
AS compared with the soldiers from
other states, they have displayed an
amazing hardihood and the number
taken ill shows lower average than
most of the other militia regiments.
Owing to the very muddy condition
brought about by heavy rains, divine
service was not held in camp by the
chaplain Sunday, but many of the
i boys went to church in Mercedes.
The Y. M. C. A. formerly used by
the Texas boys on their old camp
grounds adjoining the North Dakota
regiment has been turned over to the
North Dakotans for their use and
Sunday night it was used for religious
services and the singing of hymns.
i The army Y. NJ. C. A. is proving a
boon to the North Dakotans. Writ
ing tables have been furnished, to
gether with a victrola. and many
pleasant hours are Whiled away there
by the boys.
! There has not been much drilling
! lately. The work has consisted most
ly of improving camps, building roads
and identifying the grounds gener
ally. When the army leaves this por
lion of the border the price Of lane
will undoubtedly have been consider
ably increased, for many improve
ments of value are being made. Thus
far the work of the army has beer
anything but destructive.
Quite the contrary, it has been I'm
usually constructive. The heavies
of underbrush has been cleared ava.
from the land by hordes of boys il
khaki and fine graded roads built
The North Dakota regiment this after
noon commenced the work of gradini
a road from camp to the town of Me1
cedes. What they are doing ha
caused no little comment and prais
by the natives of the south.