Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-08-04
MEX|CANS WRECK
TROOP TRAIN AND
KILL I NO men
Fireman and Engineer Meet
Death When Greasers Re-
move Rail
TWENTY SOLDIERS
SERIOUSLY INJURED
No Ice at Camp; Ghost Hasn' t
Walked; Boys Run Short
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By Staff Correspondent.

BY staff Correspondent.
Mercedes, July 29.-Leaving Bis
marck on the evening, of July %, the
First North Dakota infantry landed
here at Mercedes, Texas, late in the
afternoon Of the 26th after atpleasant
trip. 1t was raining, the first time in
13 months, and the deep dust made a
splendid gumbo which, for tenacity,
has that article of the Red river val
ley variety outclassed..nT we were
marched outside town and assigned
to a field of cactus, "muskeet' and
weeds. Not having time to get up
our tents we pitched our pup.tents
and slept in the mud. The next day
it rained, also, and after we got the
cactus and other obstacles cleared
out, the tents up and all settled for
housekeeping, the sun came out and
smiled. 1t was a warm reception, but
the gulf breeze makes it bearable.
The only disagreeable feature about
the climate is the fact that it remains
damp. If ones clothing is dry when
he arrives, it Immediately absorbs
moisture and when once wet it re-
mains in that condition., The atmos-
phere seems permeated with salt and
all iron work rusts, readily y
a.. Exercise on Way. u"
We were exercised at Huron, S. D.,
Hawarden, Ia., Parsons, Kansas, Mus
kogee, Okla, st. Antonio and Kings
villa vToy vH1o uyoro rooo;x,od 1yo11 I, 4
all places, but San Antonio did the
best of them all. We were taken to
the Alamo where Davie Crockett and
Capt Bowie with their comrades lost
their lives many years ago. The
Daughters of the Confederacy then
treated us to ice cream and cake.
The North Dakota regiment is To-
Gated within three miles of the Rio
Grande with naught but jungles be-
tween us and the river. We are warn
ed not to 60 to exceed One-half mile
without arms, and it hardly seems
possible We are in the danger zone.
But there are snipers, tricksters and
bad class of greasers all through
this section. All railroads and bridg-
es are heavily guarded every minute
day and night. Thousands of troops
are stationed along the roads and
railroads clear up to San Antonio,
about 250 miles. A few days before
we arrived some Mexicans drew the
spikes from one rail and there at
tached wires to it. AS a troop train
approached they jerked the rail out,
wrecking the train. The engineers
and firemen were killed and 20 SOL
diers injured. The Texas rangers got
six of the greasers and shot them on
sight.
Rangers Paid by Texas.
The Texas Rangers are employed
by the state of Texas and are troop
of detectives thoroughly acquainted
with this country. They are an in
vincible lot-all crack shots. The
Mexicans fear them absolutely. In
fact, they shoot Mexican upon the
least suspicion or provocation. and
are never asked to make an account
ing. They merely shoot them, kick
them into the weeds and 60 on about
their business. The rule is to say
nothing about the killing, but should
one tell of his act, he may be required
to make an affidavit explaining the
job-that's all.
All in Good Health.
The whole regiment is in good
health and good spirits, and Co. A is
making a fine showing for itself. It
is located about the middle of the
line, has nice, clean quarters and the
boys are strictly on their good be-
havior. It gets dark here before 8
o'clock and $3.50 finds them in bed.
Silence reigns in camp at 9 o'clock.
Capt. Welch and Lieutenants Ora
ham and Preston have as neat quar-
ters as any officers in camp. I visit
with them and the boys and Co. A
nearly every evening. The boys have
been doing pretty we'll, but their
funds have run out. The hardest art
icle to get along without is ice. 1t
is scarce here and high priced. Meats
spoil and the water is actually hot.
The boys have not received one cent
Of pay since entering the service June
IL, and it may be September before
they are paid. They are broke and
need at least a small fund for a few !
camp necessities.
Hunt Reptiles.
The Bismarck boys are making a |
record for hunting reptiles and in
sects. They have killed two rattle |
snakes, two tarantulas, several scor-
poems, centipedes and other hideous
creatures.
First Lieutenant Dan Mulick, who
IS assigned to the machine gun com.
pany, was badly upset yesterday,
while attending officers meeting.
While absorbed in a lecture by Col
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