Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-11-15
ARMY
BUILDS 'DOBE HUTS
BY EDMOND E. BEHR.

FIELD HE1bNSSNh1 Ems L uAIN4NS
Expedition. Mexico, by aeroplane 10
/ Columbus, y. NJ. Nov. 15.-Prepara'
ton for living in warmth and comfort
during the winter months are in full
swing in all the camps Of the punitive
expedition. from the border to e.
Vale.
The tented cities of the summer
months are disappearing and in their
stead are rising little villages OF mud
huts. Already, the offices OF division
/ headquarters have been transferred
I from big tents to long row OF adobe
dwellings. Each office boasts a fire.
| place. BY the first OF December,
hardly n tent will be standing in any
of the camps Of General Pershing's
command.
Whole regiments are already living
in mud houses For weeks the en-
listed men in all branches OF the ser.
vice have been making adobe brick
and erecting little huts. Comfortable
one-room residences" are being bull,
by the officers. Crude nreplaCes are
part OF every dwelling. Cold winter
nights Will hold no terrors when the
homes are finished.
Bathing has been done in the open.
air, under improviscd showers, with
wooden barrels as overhead tanks
Now, adobe bath houses are being
built, with big CRATES where huge tubs
OF water can be heated.
Camp fires are beginning to gloom
for the first time since last spring
when the troops crossed tie border
The nightly gathering of officers
around the fires in front Of regimental
headquarters has begun again; while
huge hon.fires attract troopers and in
fantrymcn in different portions of the
camp.
Winter clothing mas not yet been
Issued TO the troops. except Oyercoata.
However, each newly arriving truck
train brings the heavy underwear and
outer garments worn by American
soldiers in cold weather. IN a short
time the 10000 men OF General Per
shins's column will be completely fit
ted out for the winter months.
Big shipments of Sibley stoves are
expected soon. so there will he no Iacl.
OF warmth in the houses occupied By
men and officers.
&.
tion of about 5000 feet, and the FL
Vale encampmcnt is nearly thou.
sand feet higher. No snow has fallen
yet, but the nights are becoming very
cold. Tho days are Learly always
warm.
y number OF the regiments in Mcxi.
co. infantry aad cavalry alike, are
spending their first winter in the field
in many years. Many officers are
watching closely to see how their men
endure the rigors OF this new expert
ence.
In most cases, Mexican worlmen
are being employed by the officers To
build their dwellings. Houses for the
enlisted men have been constructed
almost entirely by themselves. Ma
tcrial such as roof.timbcrs. corrugated
sheets and tar-papcr for roofs and
glass for windows is purchased at the
! quartermastcr's depot here.
No provision has been made yet fol
sheltering the thousands Of horses and
mules in service here. but It is report
ed that plans for this are in the max
| ing.
Unlike most of his officers, Genera
Pershing prefers a tent as n DWELLING
place, whether 1t be summer or winter
lie has said there will be n "bunEa
low built for him this winter. 4
small oil-stoye takes tho chill off tn,
canvas home. where he transacts mos
OF his business.
When the expedition Is withdrawn
a complete village will be left behind
ready for the occupancy CT any native.
who wander this way looking for {
! home.
End DEMrClT 0r