The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-08-08
Kenyon Man Describes Camp
Life In Texas
SQUAD WAS PICKED AS GUARD
Although No Stray Mexcans Were
Discovered-Gets Tip That Camp
Will Break In Three Weeks
For Months Patrol And
Then Home

Kenneth F. Luthy, Kenyon '0S, who
has visited in this city several times
as the guest of John Tainter Foote
and who will be remembered by many
local people for his work on both
baseball and football teams while in
Kenyon, is now on the Mexican border
line with Troop A, Squadron A of New
York National Guards. He has writ
ten the following interesting letter
to his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. c. F.
Luthy of Columbus
"At last we are on the border. Our
tents are pitched, our rifles cleaned,
our guards out. We are ready for the
greasers. We have been here but q
short time, but all ready we are per-
fectly at home like real veterans. A
crowd of men like ours is wonderful
ly adaptable. Having been used to the
best, which they readily gave up, in
order to do their bit Of service, they
instantly adjust themselves to any
conditions, no matter how hard, with
out complaint. So here we are among
the cactus, making friends with rat.
tiers and tarantulas as if we had
been born among them.
1--WE all came through the trip won
derfully well, everything considered.
Our horses stood up splendidly; only
half dozen were down and out My
own big bay never turned a hair. He
managed to lose shoe, but other
wise he looks like the fine old war
horse he is.
I'VE are at McAllen, Texas, fifty
miles from Brownsville, several hun
dred south of the northern-most part
of the border, and four miles from the
Rio Grande.
"Our camp site is excellent, and
sanitary conditions splendid.
There seems to be but little sick
ness here, and contrary to what the
newspapers say, their is plenty of fair
water, and the great snake and spider
scare is mostly idle chatter. Yes. and
all the New York companies are equip
ped up to the minute.
II felt greatly honored last night
in having my squad picked as the
guard on the sector in the direction of
the river. We ran double sentinels
who patroled through the jungle, look
ing for stray Mexicans or other
thieves. The boys behave splendidly
and were as calm and as alert as sea-
soned regulars. stayed up all night
owing to the fact that it was all new
work to some of the men, and didn't
want them shooting at mules, or sha-
dows, or each other. Next to letting
yourself be surprised by the enemy,
the most unsoldierly thing a sentinel
can do, is to alarm the camp unneces-
saTily. OF course, it was all as safe
as Fifth avenue, and the Mexicans in
this vicinity are quite friendly.
Later we will get some mounted
work on the river, which I look for
course, this work isn't dangerous. It's
about parallel in that respect to the
job of policeman.
Fellows in the squad are wonder
ing just what we are going to do, and
how long we will be down here.
got tip from headquarters last night
which sounded pretty reasonable. 1t
was that we would probably remain
in camp for about three weeks, and
then patrol the border for month,
and go home.
"These modern greasers fear the
Texas rangers worse than they do
death, but they regard us as saviors.
They sell us supplies and get real
money for their goods