Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-09-06
Letter OF INTEREST
r. 3. Streeter, Editor of Emmons
County Record, Sends Inter-
esting Letter From Officers
Training Camp, at Fort
Smelling, Mimi.

There are eight companies of in
fantry, just like ours, ard three COM
panies of artillery. Our line Of
quarters extends at least mile.
l have already learned about four
times as many things as l would be-
lieve it possible for any inexperienced
man to learn in SO short time.
And, at that, haven't mastered one
half the work assigned for the week.
This, however, applies to most of the
men. Next to me in the ranks is J
man about As who has been lieu
tenant colonel in the Minnesota ma
tional guard: There are dozens of
Spanish war officers, and more than
half the men have commanded guard
companies. many of them OIL the bor-
der last year. They all have to jump
to keep up, though.
Some of us will fail on the finish,
but no man knows who it will be.
We have no idea ourselves whether
or not we can make good. How
ever, l am feeling much more opti-
misrlc than at first, for l am begin
ming to understand the system bet
ter.
In all the companies are million
aires, famous professional and bus
mess men, ETC., but you would
never know it. All are dressed alike,
act alike, work alike, are treated
alike and feel alike about the work.
It is simply case of deliver the
goods from the bottom up.
If ! never get any farther than
three months training, l will always
feel that the three months were the
most valuable to me in both mental
and physical training of my whole
life.
Tess, history is being made in our
nation these days, and the men in our
camp are carrying some of the great
est responsibilities for the future.
Minneapolis is rising to the call of
their country in grand style. Thous-
ands of soldier boys from every rank
daily, and those who cannot serve
themselves feel the worst of all in
the world. They do the next best,
however, and practically turn them
selves over to the authorities for any
and every kind of service and assist
ance. Yesterday they. had a man.
moth parade down town, and the
soldier boys were given home-pre-
pared lunches with little letters of
good W he citizens. The.
are leaving every day for duties in
all parts of the world. At Smelling
it is regular beehive. However,
until we get down town on Saturday
afternoons we are almost out of the
world. We have our one particular
job to get through with, and you
may rest assured that every man has
his hands full to try to learn all that
is asked of him.
l am located in the Eighth COM
pany. 1t is the last in line. Any
one coming to the Fort should take
q Smelling street car, go to the end
of the line and transfer to what is
known as tie Fort dummy" T.
reach my quarters, it is only neces-
sary to get to the end of the dummy
line to be only few yards il tn:
rear of our quarters. There is
something to interest any one all
forenoon any day but Sunday, al.
though we Eave but little time fo.
personal visits in the forenoon. Any
home folks that reach Minneapolis
will confer favor by coming out te
Smelling if only for a few minutes
visit. Ny official address is "F. B.
Streeter, Eighth Company, Fort
Smelling Training Camp, For,
Smelling, Mimi"
Brscdock's have more than ou' done
themselves in tie way of entertain.
ment and we take advantage of thei,
kindness most gratefully. Wher
you come down later in the month ".
will have great Saturday after
noon and Sunday visit
There is absolutely TO gambling
, horse play or foolishness in on,
camp. Our bunch do not even SIM
. or cut up on the march. John Blor,
, told me this morning that on the firs
, hike or two his company wese NOR
or less musical. Friday. be said
there was no singing. snd finally Ii,