Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-07-19
BOYS GO SPEEDING SOUTH
STATE TROOPS ARE TAKENTo
THE MEXICAN BORDER
Local Soldiers Write Interesting Let
tiers to the CENSOR-Boys All
in Good Health and Spirits
on BOARD TRAIN. Julr I2.


sas City, which place we expect to
reach at I p. m. today. We left Camp
Douglas yesterday at 10 a m. We
had spent the preceding night in our
small shelter tents, which were pitch
ed on the target range adjoining our
camp site. Here we were the targets
TOR an army of mosquitoes, who kept
up their bombardment all night long.
AT $50 yesterday morning the head
quarters company, consisting of the
non-commisioned staff, the band and
our detachment, and the first battal-
ion, marched to the train in heavy
marching order The sum beamed
upon us with his broadcast smile, ap-
parently to give US hint of what he
had in store for us down south. At
any rate every man was drenched in
his own sweat by the time the cars
were reached. The train pulled out
at 10 sharp. After leaving Elroy q
heavy rain commenced to fall, which
continued for fully half an hour The
water plant at the reservation had
been out of commission for two DAYS
and practically every member of our
outfit needed a bath. They promptly
took advantage of NATURES shower
bath. A pair of feet could he seen
striking out of nearly every window
enjoying the profuse kisses of the lit
tie drops of rain which fell In abund-
ance. A few of the more venturesome
members were not partial to their
feet, but favored the rest of their
body as we'll. Some we're content to
hang their towels out of the window
and in this way take sponge bath.
This had the advantage at least of
avoiding having their seats flooded by
the driving rain. After leaving Ell
roy only two stops were, really made,
FIVE minutes at Madison and twenty
minrtes at South GAINESVILLE. Here
all on board we're ordered out of the
cars to stretch themselves and all we're
glad TO avail themselves of the oppor-
tunitv.
Chicago was reached at D. m.
About a hours were spent switching
about in the yards, filing water cool
ers In cars, etc. Many of the mem
beers who had never been there did
not get very favorable impression
of the city. The odor in the stock
yards district did not meet with orr
approval either. A few tried heroic-
forced to capitulate aud take their
share. One cannot help but wonder
how people can stand itlin that vicin-
ity. But there probably is such a
thing as getting used toit. However,
all of Chicago cannot be seen from
the railway yards, and while it has
the reputation OF being dirty city,
there are many places in it that are
very fine indeed. After leaving Chi
cage nearly every one turned in, )"
making them selves as comfortable as
they could in the day coaches provid-
ed by the railroad; and they succeed
ed quite we'll all claiming this morn
ing TO have had a fine sleep This
morning found us speeding southwest
through south central Iowa. The
country looked fine A stop of45min-
utes was made at Eldon, Iowa. The
whole battalion. headed by the band,
marched through the principal busi-
street OF The town aad portion of the
residence section. While marching
through town the band played ION
Wisconsin, and the rest OF the bat
TALON sang il From the remarks ov-
erheard we made quite a favorable
impression. The people were very
courteous and friendly. In fact all
along the ronte we have been treated
royalty at every stop People at the
farm houses, in the fields, and travel
ing on the highways cheer and wave
their arms at us as ourtTain rolls past,
Even gang of Mexican greasers
working on railway section gang in
northwestern Missouri joined with
their bosses in cheering US as we pass
ed. But it would hardly be safe to
assume that they were our friends,
judging by the frequent attempts
made by Mexicans TO wreck troop
trains. We noticed armed guards at
the bridges where they were working
undoubtedly TO prevent same being
blown up. This afternoon finds us in
Missouri. The country does not app
pear nearly as progressive and pres
porous as we found Iowa, although
parts of il appear to be good. The
thing that impreSses us most is that
a great deal of the grain is cut and
in the shock ard threshing has COM
menced. Some blowing is already be-
ing done. CornGelds present strange
appearance. Some fields are tassel
Ing out while in others the corn is
Just coming up Well, SO much tO-
this time. VIII try to describe the
rest Of our journey at some future
time
In striking contrast to the leave
taking at home three week ago. the
boys were glad to 90. Life in camp
and the military atmosphere while
there made them feel anxious to get
70 h,n .
no sorrowing relatives there to de-
press their spirit, Since leaving home
however, this fact has become plainly
apparent, that outside of the relatives
and close friends, the other people
were not entirely Indifferent TO our
leaving as seemed TO Us 1T the time
as having been the case ItCan truth
fully be said that no outfit on the res
ervation was the recipiant of greater
favors from their home town than was
the band and our detachment. Deli
cacies of all kinds, even more than
was good for us, kept coming in con-
tinuously. Just as we were leaving
we received a gift from the Woman'S
Relief Corps which gladdened the
heart of everyone. A cloth kit for
comb. tooth brush, etc, neatly and
handily designed, had been made for
every member Of the band and our de-
tacbment. 1t certainly is a very use
fnl and handy gift, and doubly appre
ciated because of the thoughUfulness
Of the donors Likewise it has since
been learned thar our band leader,
Otto Brown. was approached for sug-
gestiOns etc. for a banquet and re-
-eption to be held the night before
leaving, but he requested that this be
lot done as there was too much work
to do to get ready This fact was not
snnwn until lafer- The visit al home