The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-22

a horse hitched with others to a gun.
The horses strained forward in
their harness, a soldier tugged at a
wheel, and the first gun from Topeka
moved toward Mexico. All afternoon
the hammers clattered and banged,
officers shouted, instructions were
seconded by noncoms, and Topeka was
ready to do its part of what then was
said to be necessary. The guns were
loaded and ready.
There were fears and tears for the
battery Wednesday night and this
morning.
Citizens by Thousands.
In the evening 1000 persons gath
cred around the camp. There were
the fathers and children, the brothers
and friends, the mothers, and the
most fearful sweethearts. At o'clock
the camp was thrown open to visitors.
Many were there from curiosity. But
Mothers cOnverSed earnestly with sons.
Fathers talked just as earnestly and
clasped the hands of boys, scarcely
out of their teens, in a firm and ex-
cusably proud grasp.
Men in khaki rushed through the
ably it was a girl. They walked to
one side, away from the crowd. What
they said is no ones business. The
boy always lost some of the rough
and-ready appearance given him by
his uniform. The girl was always just
a little wistful. with undisguised adj
miration for the lover who had taken
the first step to thwart his country's
menace.
do you think you will go into Mex
ico?" That was the question she
always asked.
NO" That was the answer always.
He was lying and knew it.
EV6rV man in the battery holiavaS
the Kansas guards will be the first of
the militia into Mexico.
The Kansas guard has proved itself
efficient in mobilizing. Every man in
ing and ready. Practically every
other state is meeting with difficult
ties. Missouri is having trouble get
ting organized and obtaining rations
Then Funston is on the border. He
tried Kansas steel beneath the boil
ing sun of the Orient and knows its
temper. 1t will ring just as true be-
meath the glittering stars of Mexico.
There are several married men in
the battery. All were visited by their
wives and children last night. A cor
t poral bounced a baby in the air an6
tried to smile at his wife, and failed
There were cheers when the Sec
ond Regiment band, playing q stirring
air. marched into the grounds. A mar
in khaki carrying the stars and stripes
led them. They stopped back of the
| officers quarters and played severa
pieces.
Just as the crowd was scattering
there came news from Mexico, Forty
Americans killed and seventeen cap
tured in a battle south of Ell Paso.'
| A man who had seen it flashed or
the State Journal bulletin machine
turned his motor car toward the fail
| grounds and carried the news.
| A murmur ran through the throng
| Soldiers shrugged their shoulders
Mothers. wives and sweethearts eager
| ly asked for details. Wild rumors
flew thick and fast. War declared
Pershing and his entire command cap
| tured, another bloody bandit raid.
were some of them.
| Said an officer: 1T looks like bust
ness
A noncom: Mexico for ours"
A private: They sure played h
that time-huh.'
Late at night the camp grew still
Midnight and only a few guards paced
the grounds. The camp slept Over
head a gray fleece obscured the stars
1t was a cloudy night.