The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-08-10
ANXIOUS TO GET A SHOT AT ONE
OF THE GREASERS
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for the U. S. Army. A new oath of
Allegiance to the L. S, involving the
adoption of the National Defense Act
of the National Guard was sworn to
by practically every man in the regi-
ment and by all but one in Co. E.
Under the terms of this oath every
man enlisted for three years with the
colors and three years in the reserve
with the povision that the time al
ready served in the Maine National
Guard should be deducted therefrom.
Two T. S. Army surgeons began at
once on the physical examination of
the regiment Some companies lost
over one-third of their men as unfit.
CO E lost all but "A men and the
three officers. The next day Cover
nor Curtis issued an order calling out
the reserves.
June goth the regiment received or
ders to proceed to Laredo, Texas. Be-
fore entraining the City of Augusta
presented a magnificent standard of
regimental colors. The troops trav-
eled in day coaches, three men TO two
seats as far as Kansas City, where
they were transferred to tourist cars.
Ration returns were made out at Au-
gusta for the trip and the food was
prepared in a baggage car forward.
OF necessity the food was not as at
tractive or Of as varied a character as
it would have been in camp, but there
was plenty of it and of good quality.
At several cities along the way To-
cal organizations gave the men spec
ial lunches which were greatly ap-
precated. Fort Worth, Texas over
did herself Delicious sandwiches,
fruit, candy, cigarettes and jars of
milk were given every man. The
society girls and matrons of the city
distributed the lunches. Everywhere
along the way patriotic demonstra-
lions were made which showed that
the New England states have much to
learn from their southern sisters in
patriotism and appreciation of the
citizen soldiers of the country.
On the night of the Fourth of July
the last section of the regiment ar
rived at Laredo. Texas on the Rio
Grande. 1t is city of about 5000
Americans and from to $4,000 MeXi-
cans depending upon conditions
across the line
Private A. G. Pelkey fell and badly
lacerated his knees which put him ON
sick report during the trip and for
some days after. Priyates Howard
~ Weston and Donald Burril both
contracted bad colds en- route which
developed into more or less serious
form and both were ordered To the
Base Hospital at Laredo for treat
ment. Burrill had a severe case of
pneumonia, and Weston re-opened an
old lung trouble which complicated
with inconsistencies and general de-
biity made his case difficult of treat
ment With these exceptions, there
have been no illnesses of any conse-
quences since the company left home
Pelky and Burrill are both back on
duty and it is understood that Yves
ton is to be discharged and sent
home.
When we awoke in Laredo. the
boys saw a country, people and a
climate as much different as that of
Maine as can be imagined There
was no grass, no trees, no gardens,
no roads Chat Maine would call
roads,, no natural drinking water
and no hills. Everywhere was pow
erty, and such poverty and hunger as
we never believed existed. Whole
families stood along the cars and
picked up stray bits of bread, meat.
orange skins etc. that had been
thrown on the ground, and greedily
deyoured them. For days the drink
ing water had seemed bad but when
Laredo water came along it seemed
the limit. 1t looked for all the world
like the muddy water flowing along
the cutters after a rain at home, but
experts have established that it con
tains no harmful impurities and that
it is safe for drinking purposes.
However, most of the Maine boys de-
cided to buy their own drinking water
at Laredo The night before we left
Augusta, overcoats, were comfort
and blessing. The day we pitched our
canvass in Laredo, the thermometer
in the shade showed 10 degrees and
we later found that the Border along
the Big Creek was capable of even
greater heat 1913 degrees was re
ported one day but there's not much
difference in the feeling. AS one
fellow said "105 degrees is plenty
hot" The army officials took the
heat into consideration in planning
the schedule of work, wisely and
humanely decreeing that there be no
duty between 10 a. m. and p m.
But the thing that struck us the
strongest, the most and the oftenest
was dust. We are all wondering
why people home complain of the
dust, and pay real money to have the
streets oiled. If the worst kicker
against the streets and the city water
in Skowhegan could spend ten min
ues anywhere along the border. he'd
go home and forever after hold his
peace. Cook Goulette says that he
has only to put in a few potatoes in
a kettle of water to make a good rich
stew.
None of us expected that with so