The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-12-04
BOYS ON THE BORDER
ADJT. GEN. MORFNSS TELLS OF
CONDITIONS SURROUND
ING SOLDIERS.

ments conceivable for the common
wealth which they represent.
Adjt. Gen. w. A. Morris. recently
from Camp San Benito. where the
Fourth regiment, South Dakota ma
tional guards are quartered. last Sat-
urday talked interestingly of the tx
periences of the South Dakota men
at the front" He said hat contrary
to reports which had been carried by
many big newspapers, there is not
widespread dissatisfaction among the
soldiers from this state. He related
that it is true that some of the
Fourth regiment are DESTROYS of re-
turning home, but that the lack of
contentment is not nearly SO pro-
nounced as some writer's and tale
bearers would have the public be-
lieve.
Are Real "Huskies."
"Our men are gaining in vigor ev-
cry Jay" said the adjutant general,
and the average one willingly gives
verbal evidence of his realization
and in the experience that makes for
a better and more useful man"
Adjt. Gen. Morris spent a few
hours in Madison Saturday afternoon
on official business. He said that
like himself, the men on guard duty
are always glad of an opportunity to
inform the home people of true con
ditions at the border.
The officer told that while the
camp site was not, perhaps, the most
desirable one imaginable. there were
no extremely Objectionable features
TO be contended with. The camp Is
located only a few blocks from the
main street of San Benito, a town of
about 1900 population. The town is
situated some twenty miles from the
gulf and about nine miles from the
Rio Grande river. The water supply
is pumped from the Rio Grande.
The camp is drained by means of
trenches, from one to two feet deep.
Under ordinary conditions the
trenches serve to keep the camp dry
and altogether sanitary. In case of
rains which amount to a near deluge
the trenches are not adequate to car
rying off surface water. Rains, how
ever. are infrequent. but are ome
times extremely heavy.
Giant Cactus.
On account of a dense growth of
thorny bushes, the district is mex to
impenetrable. except where trails
have been fashioned. Cactus, in
some instances. grows to a height of
fifteen feet.
The adjutant general said that the
weather Is next to ideal. When he
left there about three weeks ago, the
temperature correspondent with Sep
TENDER weather in South Dakota. The
days are warm and the evenings
moderately chilly. While cooler
weather will come. snow there during
the coolest months would be a sur
prise. Some idea of the amount of
dew that falls there may be had from
the fact that the soldiers collect soft
water by draining dew from the
caves of their tents.
Most stories regarding great in
jury done by poisonous reptiles and
insects are exaggerated" said the ad-
jutant general. 1T is true that there
are more insects there than here, but
their stings are not, at the most,
more harmful than Is the sting of a
bee. AS to the general health of the
regiment, | may say the members are
in Just about as good health as 1t Is
possible for men to be. The average
sickness for the 1900 lei has been
2.34 per cent, and that includes men
who have suffered sprains and sore
feet"
Good food is provided. The fare
includes fresh meat, vegetables and
baked goods.
Guard Ranches.
Adjt. Gen. Morris explained that
the soldiers are not patroling a long
stretch OF border, as has been report
ed. Their official duties consist OF
guarding four outposts-the pump
ing station at the Rio Grande river
and three ranches.
All of the ranches being guarded
have experienced raids, but not since
the arrival Of the South Dakota sol
diers. 1t is reported that there are
ranchers near the border, who, be
cause of fear of attack, have not for
year left their premises unless accom-
panied by an escort. Such ranchers
are known as marked men, who have
in the past been suspected Of giving
advice, adverse to the interests oil
outlaws.
Much depravity exists among the
poems inhabiting the rural districts
For the most part they live in thatch
ed, ~floorless shacks. 1t is rarely tha'
a regulation table OF bed is to b.
found in one of the huts. Many o.
the women must, before preparing 6
meal. grind between stones corn from
which to prepare their rude cakes
which often comprise their entire
table d'hote."
Honor to State.
The adjuant general told tina
South Dakotans should be proud O.
the men she sent south. They arr
real soldiers and real gentlemen, HI
said, and they have gained the re