The log cabin Democrat., 1916-07-31
800 SICK SOLDIERS GIVEN EASEMENTS
REV. COLQUFTTf WRITES
Another Interesting Letter on His Work Among United States Troops
 on the Mexican Border.

Fort Bliss, Texas, July 27, 1916.
 Editor Log Cabin Democrat: | Fort Bliss is situated about four miles from Fl Paso, accessible by street cars and by jitneys. It is the most important fort on the border between Fl Paso and Brownsville, Texas. This place is a city within itself, having all the modern convent ences. The government has spent millions of money here and is now 1 spending much more.
 l have just completed the work of furnishing testaments to the patients in the hospital in this great fort, which is no mean institution itself. There are now 19 wards completed l and 17 more under construction, which are necessary to provide ample | room for all the sick and wounded soldiers. There are about 800 pa tients in these wards and dozens more come in every hour.
 This whole institution is under a staff of Ii physicians, besides assist ants and nurses. Lieut.. Fred H. Mills, chief of the staff, showed us much kindness.
 l had the pleasure of placing testa- ments into the hands of the four Car 1 rizal heroes who are yet in the hos pital. l talked with Sergeant D. Farior and Corporal T. P. Cook es- pecially. Both of these men were wounded in the attack by the Mexi- | cans, one shot through the wrist and | the other through the arm I asked these men about their treatment in the Mexican prison. They laughed and said it was pretty tough; that they were stoned on the way to pris- | on and the Mexican women spat in their faces. Then I ventured to in quire about the prison fare. One big black fellow said, "They didn't do nothing to my stomach towards feed ing it. They just sertie tempted me. " Their food consisted entirely of | frijoles, tortilles and rice, about a spoonful daily and the other two in proportion. These men are going iShe puNh lillO 4hCNiSO lO JOlil lIltlI company as soon as they are ready for duty.
 The Bible work among the soldiers is very fascinating and inspiring. Especially is this true in the hos pitals. The poor boys are sick, not only in body, but being hundreds, some of them thousands of miles away from home, mother and sweet heart, they are homesick as well. We have given given out already over 1 400 testaments in this hospital. Most of the boys receive them with appar- ently much appreciation and promise to read them.
 Last Sunday morning l gave sol dier testament, and he asked me to write my name in it, which l did. We learned later that he returned to the church in the evening, made a profes- sion and asked to be admitted into the church. He volunteered the infor- nation that his action was the result of his reading the New Testament. Our task is big enough to fill the hearts and hands of many more men than are on the job. These soldiers are scattered all along the border from the Gulf to the Pacific. It is conservatively estimated that at least 5O,000 testaments will be required to furnish those who have none. The manufacture of this number will cost $l2,000, to say nothing of the other | expenses in connection with this cam | paign.
 This is national obligation and the opportunity of a generation. Our boys in the army must be supplied with Gods word.
 Gen. Bliss was here yesterday in specting the fort. General Bell is in command of all the forces here.
 The mercury ranges around 130 de grees in the sun, yet l go ahead rid ing in our new "Tin Henry" with q pocket full of Mexican currency, thanking God for the privilege of serving Him where it means so much to humanity.
 If God permits i've mean to fight
 it out on this iine if it taxes all winter"
 D. H. Colquette,
 Field Agent, American Bible Society