The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-07-06
COMPANY C
BOYS WANT
TO START
FOR MEXICO
THEY ARE ALSO ANXIOUS TO
GET IN SOME GOOD TARGET
PRACTICE ON THE EXCELLENT
RIFLE RANGE AT GOLDEN.
tHy PETER srERLlNe)

Gus for two things, especially. lney
want some real target practice on the
fine rifle range at the camp and they
also want to get away to the border
as soon as possible. Some of the men
have had some practice on the range
and if the company stays in camp
any length of time they will all get
all the practice they desire. The de-
parture for the border, of course, is
peated rumors that the men would
soon be gone. Military officials in
Denver seem to be of the opinion that
if the Mexican situi tion gets no
worse the men will be kept in camp
until they are fully fit for duty, be-
cause many of the officers think it
would be an unwise thing to do to
send the men without the fullest prep
aration. Captain Livingston is hop
ing that they will not be ordered out
the journey and he sets two weeks
as the very least time in which they
could be whipped into shape. AS a
matter of fact, it will take practically
a year to make them even average
soldiers, and Company C right now
has better men as a whole, in mill
tary way, than any of the other units.
If the Mexican situation again be-
comes as acute as it was aday or two
ago the men will probably be sent
kalx g. u,
is concerned. a battalion of infantry
and a squadron Of cavalry are ready
to go at a moments notice. Most of
them are fully equipped also but that
is as close to being prepared as they
are at present.
1t is the opinion of staff officers at
Golden, whom | asked, that none of
the National Guard organizations will
see any active service for many
months after they reach the border.
The first duty they will perform will
be to release the regulars SO that
they can be sent into Mexico to do the
actual fighting. In the meantime the
National Guard units will be drilled
thoroughly and will be taught to be
real soldiers. They will get plenty
of skirmish drills. long hiking and
trench digging. They will be hard
ened and m-de capable OF Withstand
ing any of the exigencies that war
might bring.
None yet reilly know where the
Colorado boys will be sent The prob
able destination may be known at
headquarters in Chicago but it is not
known at Golden. OF course, there
are many conjectures and many
opinions, but there is nothing definite.
The California border is the rumor-
ed destination that is given the most
credence. Private William Kenly
wrote home to his folks that he had
heard rumor that the Colorado men
would be part of an outfit that would
be sent to the Philippines to relieve
the regulars who are on duty there
This story no doubt has no credible.
ty on a basis of fact, but is probably
like the hundred and one other guess
es that are being made.
Today the boys are feeling better
after their vaccination ordeal. Even
those who were worst effected show
little signs o. it now.
The boys have good joke on Ser
geant Leslie Stevenson. General
Fatigue" Thomas and General Dis
ability" Hellman were making out
the muster papers when they noticed
that Stevenson had been born in Mis-
souri,. They let the officers in on it
and Sergeant Stevenson was summon
ed by orderly to appear at once be-
fore the staff When he arrived and
saluted one of the officers asked,
Sergeant. have you your naturaliza-
ton papers?"
81 don't need any, sir" was the re-
ply. Il am a citizen of the United
States"
eve are sorry, Sergeant. but your
papers plainly show that you were
born in an unusual country. and II
you are a citizen of the United Sta
les. then you must have become ma
turaizeld and your papers will be nee
essary."
But. Captain. I am citizen with
out papers. was born in Missouri"
"Yes." replied the officer, That's
what your papers say, and that's why
we must have your naturalization pa
pers."
Leslie saw the joke then and was
perfectly willing to Join in the laugh
ter that followed. He had taken the
whole matter very seriously and did