The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-08-31
A Letter from the Rio Crande


ing interesting and descriptive letter the Saltwater Gazette
which reprint 1t is full of human interest and different
unreliable pessimistic reports average
great dailies print as "news Ed
Lano Grande, Texas, Aug. 8, 1916.
Editor Gazette:-The train stops at station stu
ated in the valley of the Rio Grande alightng the
passenger usually wipes his brow lyon will notice
in the North, so in Stillwater), that he wipes
his lips, that is the first noticeable change. You
cast your eyes green grass with sprout of cac-
tus here and there; the background is composed of
sage, beautiful mesquit and palm trees. You erter
our tented city on hard and we'll graded street. so
that your thots of wading thru sand already dis
sipated. The streets clean of all refuse, and a
continual hurry and scurry of busy soldiers seeking
all the delights of large city inform you that you
are on Broadway. At the first soda fountain you
stop to quench your thirst with ce-cold lemonade,
at the same time leaving jitney, mostly
membrance to the first Mexican business you
had occasion to deal with After hours trudg-
ing you find yourself the street; you stop to ad-
mire the stores and picture shows, pool halls and
novelty shops, you pass. but the oncoming crowd
forces you to keep on the hike the majority of the
time. Instead Of ffteen-sory buildings on the left
you try to see the height of circling water-towers
and when you bring your head down to it's normal
not rea dizzy sensation overcomes your crowded
brain, and the street finds your heavy carcass the
first burden of the day.
In a few moments the center of the street is
clear of it's crowd and large green wagon with
top and green lights each side takes possession
of Broadway at rapid pace. 1t stops where you
at with your eyes closed and head propped
upon a water pipe your presence there accounted
Nv ind ,bc a..
bright lights and the noise of this great Broadway
had you. Two neat-appearing soldiers
step off the wagon and you carefully placed on
stretcher then in the wagon and the street is again
filled with mob A few hours LATER which may
have seemed weeks 10 you, nothing. you find
yourself comfortably resting cot, covered with
a mosquito-bar. In moment you on your feet,
stricken object, wondering why and how
you got where quietness again reigrs when TO your
knowledge you last on the most busy street
you had seen for many day. You do not hear the
sweet music of some by band as on our great
Broadway.
You regain your senses and the smiling pbysi-
clan in charge explains it ALL you in thank him
and make ready for your departure, but no; he i'll
sists that you stay. You are amazed that you must
do so, as you told that you had contracted
it is not clear why you should remain, but your
Northern manners compel you to do so, and you in
turn smile. After few minutes converse
ton with of the physicians assistants a large
tray Of fruits, ETC.. is placed before you and when
same disposed of, you in turn.
You are rather lost when you first enter the
street, you find you not Broadway, out
with the aid of few soldiers you are again at the
place where a had occurred shortly before
caused by anxiety to lake in the finest section
you had the occasion to You again on your
way walking SOUTH you continue until you ap-
proach another street at your left which to your
eyes is the cleanest. neatest and contains the best
appearing soldiers of any, although it is not as bus
ness-like as the you just left. This well-kept
street is shaded with beautiful mesquit trees
You must see this thru, to satisfy your curl
osty you find yourself strolling down this avenue
To your left you large tents and the side of
each large palm tree, transplanted there by the
willing workers who you will see toillng in the
streets to the right each of these has street
occupied by company.
AS you pass down the street you see sign with
small but Incorporating K on it, and when you
look in the open kitchen and see the smiling faces
of the two cooks namely W. E. johnson and Her.
bert Warner, you at once recognize Saltwater Of
course do not mean to impose upon them and say
they represent Saltwater, even tho they are quite
large.
You turn and leave the regimental street of the
Third and go down the company street of X. After
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