davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
''Y" HEADQUARTERS
Building Toward Which Inquirers
Trend.

My son is in camp here some place
ana l want to get a pass so that 1 can
go see h1m-I don't know where he is
located, and the woman went on to
tel how a wicked guard" wouldn't
let her go across the railroad tracks
when she really only wanted to look
around to see If she could see the boy
OF course, the Y. NJ. C. A. had an ad-
ministration building and unfortun-
ately had a sign painted on the front
Of the building reading ~. M. c. A.
HEADQUARTERS
Headquarters seem to indicate to
the average person that the headquar-
ters building of the "Y'' is the place
some one has directed them to get
passes after they have been stopped
by the guards. OF course. the Y. NJ.
c. A. officials give the visitors ad-
ditional information as to where and
how they may obtain the pass.
Il want to get some postage
stamps"
Where is is waiting room in this
building?"
rs this the general headquarters ?"
and a thousand various and sundry
questions are answered by the ~"
secretaries.
Really the Y. NJ. c. A. headquarters
building is one composed of offices in
which the general secretaries of each
branch of. the work have their offices
it is a busy place arranging the
schedules for different buildings of the
Y NJ c. A on the grounds, seeing to it
that different speakers have system
critically arranged programs, ntifying
the various buildings regarding pic
ture films, athletic schedules and 9TH
er amusem entS.
Inquiries for post cards come often
to THE men at the desk from visitors
who get tired waiting for the cars in
front of the building and wander up
the steps to take a peep inside Every
visitor wants to send post cards to the
friends back home.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
FOR THE WOMEN
Buildings and Plans for Taking Care
of Them.

The plans for taking care of the
women visitors who come to Camp
Funston to see husbands, sons and
sweethearts are rapidly being ma
tured by the Young Woman's Chris
tan association. The main build
ing located to the north of the east
ern part of the finished buildings
will be completed this week and II is
thought that practically all equipment
by the first of next week will have
been received.
The proposed rule on women COM
ing into camp after all buildings. roads,
heating plant, etc. are completed AND
the men are permanently located in
dictates that women will not be al
wed very far south of the interurban
tracks. The Y. w. C. A. therefore will
have a waiting room where women
may remain and await the COM
ing of the person in camp who is
wanted.
The building now nearly completed
has a very wide porch running two
thirds of the way around the building.
This porch will likely be enclosed
with glass windows and when heated
during the colder months will serve
, very nicely as a sitting room where
the men and their women visitors can
meet.
The greater part of the activities of
the Camp Funston Y. w. c. A. will be
toward furnishing meals and a place
for women visitors to remain thruout
the day. There will be no effort
made to arrange rooms for visitors.
Altho it has not been officially
given out, it is planned to have two
other regular Y. w. c. A. buildings
in Army City. These buildings will
be maintained in much the same way
as is the Y. w. c. A. in other cities
Each viii have a great cafeteria and
rooms will be maintained for those
who are working in laundries, post
exchange buildings and the like. The
rates will be about the same as are
charged in similar buildings in the
cities.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
CAMP GRIDIRON
Doings of the Army Football Teams.
at Camp Funston.

Company E of 355 infantry met
defeat on the football gridiron last
Saturday when they played team
from Headquarters company. The
victorious team~was fully equipped for
football by the Lincoln, Neb. business
men. Under Captain Strain, former
all state quarter back for Nebraska
colleges, from COtner University, the
headquarters team opened up with
series of forward passes so successful
that at the end of four seven minute
quarters the score was "a to 0. The
whole regiment, mostly from Nebras-
ka is interested in state university
games in Lincoln and there was much
rejoicing in camp over the result with
Iowa. The game this next week end
with Notre Dame, promises to be the
center of much interest. On next
Saturday also the regimental football
games begin and the leading team will
probably later compete for the di-
vision honOrS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
MAIL is DELAYED
BY Improper and Incompetent Adj
dresses.

Owing to improper addresses and
insufficient addresses on packages
and first class mail matter, the post
office here is having great difficulty
in handling the mail efficiently. 1t
seems that there are a great many
friends and relatives who only know
that the person to whom they write
is here in camp-they have no knowl-
edge of the regiment, battalion or
company in which the soldier is as
signed and the result is that mail is
often delayed until the necessary part
of the address is secured from the
branch office card index system.
This matter has become so impor
tant that the postoffice authorities
have issued information for the guild
ance of the men here and are de-
pending on each man to inform his
friends and relatives of the proper
address.
In imparting the information to
correspondents, men in camp should
be very careful to advise that Camp
Funston and Fort Riley are two diff
ferent postoffices, both having separ
ate and distinct express offices and
railroad stations as well as postoffices.
Leave off the EFT. Riley
Packages sent to men in the ma
tional army should be marked Ma
tional Army" while those sent to civ
ilians or workmen in camp should be
marked Civilian"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20

of the weather conditions so that
when colder weather comes the pre-
liminary work viii be far advanced,
if not finished.
Army life is a little disagreeable at
first, but the men who came in the
first contingent have adjusted them
selves to it They have been settled
in their quarters and provided with
all necessities for their comfort.
The young officers are the real
workers for it is their duty to not
only teach the drilling of the new
men, but to do all the necessary de-
tailed office work in their rooms each
night. After drilling as long as the
men, working harder in an effort to
make every day show great results:
the officer has no time to enjoy rec
reation. The spirit of the seth divi-
sion is the kind that will end the war.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20

EDUCATIONAL WORK
Opportunities for CuIture-French
Lessons in Demand

The Y. NJ. c. a. is sparing no effort
to be of the largest service possible
in the educational work.
The extension division of the Uni
versity of Kansas is cooperating in
the work thru H. G. Ingham, secre-
tary of its correspondence study de-
partment, who is assisting in directing
the educational program.
There is a local educational secre-
tary in each of the several buildings.
who is in immediate charge of classes,
library and other related interests in
the brigade.
Most of the states represented in the
cantonment are offering thru the ex-
tension divisions of their universities
wide range of correspondence
courses free. of charge to their re-
spective soldier boys High school
and college credit may thus be OBJ
tanned and many college boys are
looking forward to take advantage of
the opportunity to advance their col
lege standing or to complete unfin-
ished work for their degrees.
Catalogs and Information concern
ing these courses may be obtained
from the local educational secretaries.
French classes are being organized
and the demand is greater than can
be met. The men realize that they
will soon be in service abroad, and
that a knowledge of conversational
Il
fact real necessity. Many capable
instructors are found among the men
themselves who are volunteering their
services. -Altho several hundred are
now in classes, the work has barely
gotten under way
Elem entary English for foreigners
and others who read and write but
little, offers a big field for work, and
here again volunteer teachers must
be relied upon. The number of men
eager for instruction in English and
in need of it is larger than might be
supposed.
In addition to these main lines of
work, there is abundant opportunity
for the Organization of classes for
special groups with particular inter
ests; for example, short courses in
the history of the leading nations at
war, principles involved and state
papers, geography, social customs
and home life of the French, as well
as certain subjects in mathematics,
and commerce, and industry. The
aim is to make for efficiency in the
present emergency, and also in the
private life to be entered again at
the close of the war Splendid CO.
operation and encouragement is be-
ing given on all sides and a good
work will be accomplished Men
who are interested may find any in
formation at the 'Y'' buildings. The
courses are offered without charge
to the men who are interested
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
SPORTS in CAMP
lively Interest and Good Programs
Arranged.

The physical activities that are go
ing on in the 353rd and S54th regi-
ments are surely worthy of mention.
The splendid cooperation both among
themselves and with the Y. NJ c. A
No. Z, is helping out a program that
is well worth while.
The football schedules have been
started and eight games were PLAYED
Saturday with six Sunday, displaying
some real stars in the game and all
kinds of pep and good feeling among
the men.
The regimental and brigade athletic
officers deserve their share of credit
for helping put it over.
Three football fields have been built
for the use of these two regiments and
when it comes to teams, we contend
we can make the rest of the teams in
camp step for recognition.
Some teams have appeared gorgeous
~ declSed out in bright new suits
which helps the company spirit and in
terest.
The schedule which started last Sat
urday will run thru to No. 8, which
gives US some games every Saturday
and nearly every Sunday.
Watch the Y. NJ. c. A. bulletin board
and the barrack bulletin boards for
further announcements as to games
and scores.
The help Of all officials in the game
is greatly appreciated. Keep it up, for
we need you.
aside from football, there has been
a great deal of interest manifested in
soccer and also in boxing and wrest-
ling.
co. +, 354th are having a great deal
OF fun and ~Nre arousing much interest
in bOxing and wrestling.
Bouts of some sort are pulled off
every week and you may expect to see
bouts at the Y. NJ. No. every Friday
evening with the Friday stunt night
show.
What we want is for the co-opera-
ton and interest. Get behind it and
be a booster for good clean sports
thruout the camp.
You men that have ability in these
lines or any other see that you do your
share. Let US know what you can DO
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
Chef MEISTER
He Takes Wen and Delivers the Goods
When He Demonstrates.

The Auditorium of Y. NJ c. A No
8 was crowded to its capacity last
Friday evening to hear Mr.. Meister's
lecture and demonstration.
Mr. Meister, commonly known as
Chef Meister is head and chief cook
at Co. l 354th Infantry. Mr.. Meister
is not only chef but is as well a
lecturer on cooking and kitchenistry,
he also demonstrates the swift method
of cutting, pairing and rendering the
feathers from a chicken.
Meister held the attention of the
entire audience for more than one
hour. He kept the house in an up
roar with his wit, humor and swift
work.
Meisters lecture demonstration is
both educational and entertaining.
He has risen to his present standing
by hard knocks and thirty-three years
of practical experience. He is we'll
able to deliver his lecture on the
proper Kind of cooking utensils. Every
one heartily endorsed Chef Meister's
corrections in the matter of better
cooking utensils and cooking are con-
ducive to better living, thinking and
better citizenship.
Mr. Meister is to be. congratulated
on the work which he is doing for
the men.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
FIRE FIGHTERS
Equipment For Town of 10000 Is
Provided.

A fire is not going to get much
headway in this camp for the equip
ment is sufficient for a town of forty
thousand population The fire de-
partment consists of a main station
and two sub stations and will have
two more additional stations within
a short time.
In each of the stations are two ma
chines-regular fire fighting ma
chimes all equipped with SOC feet OF
hose and a pump that will throw
100 gallons of water per minute.
In addition to the regular machines
and fire equipment in the fire stations
each building in the camp is equipped
with 80 fire buckets and a hose and
water main will be conveniently To-
Gated in every place needed
There are at present three stations
ready for work; number 1, in charge
of Geo. Wyatt from station number
"a in Kansas City; number 2, in
charge of Frank %1ileman from num-
Der 25 station in Kansas City and
number in charge of Jim Bollan
from number 2 station in Kansas
City. Fire Chief c. E. Moehler, who
has charge of the fire department
is also an experienced fireman of
about 20 years in the business. He
came to Camp Funston from Gin
Each of the fire stations has
eight men to man the machine and
pumps.
1t is very easy matter to get word
to the fire department, as there are
about forty fire boxes in the most
convenient places. Even at this early
date there are forty boxes ready for
use in turning in alarms. The fire
chief has telephone connection with
all telephones.
The water supply Will always be
abundant for there are four reser-
voirs, eacA holding 10000 gallons of
water, set on the high bluffs to the
north of the camp. In addition to
these sources of supply, more reser-
voirs are being built and the fire chief
has taken the necessary precaution to
from the river, south of the camp.
The camp will eventually be divided
into eight zones SO that the location of
fire can be known to all men in
the camp. A large fire whistle will
be located on station No. and will
give the location of the fire by the
number of blasts, just as is done in
cities.
The fire whistle will be heard by
everyone within the camp limits. 1t
is a large three-foot whistle and will
be blown by compressed air.
Up to date there has not been any
serious fire in the camp. However,
about twenty-five runs have been
made by the departm ent. Most of the
fires have been rubbish piles, grass on
the prairie or automobiles. There has
heen little damage done by any of
them.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
HE'S A Merry ONE
He Wears Il Kaiser Wilhelm Nous
tache in Camp.

The officers of Battalion No. 3,
f64 D. Brigade pulled off one of the
cleverest courtmartials of the camp.
The defendant, one of the Junior Of
ficers is a very handsome fellow, but
he insists on wearing Kaiser Will
helm moustache". So his brother Of
ficers since they were training so hard
to lick the kaiser, didn't want to make
a grave mistake and do away with
their brother lieutenant, and after
many pleadings for him to remove
his facial decorations peacably and re-
ceiving only cold rebuffs they brought
the matter before a very "officinus''
court martial, but now after sentence
is pronounced, the junior officer still
has his moustache
What is to be done now? The other
officers only know. Watch the next
edition, you'll find out Maybe Scare
heads on the front page will tell the
story.
Later-An act of clemency was
granted from higher authority upon
promises to sit far enough away
from the table to see that his NOUS
tache would not get into his and
others food
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
INQUIRIES TO KNOW
Who Wrote: "When We Whip the
Kaiser?''

Some patriotic individual living over
in Hays, Kan, wants Trench and
Camp" to locate the man who sells
the song, when We Whip the Kali
SER" and so has written to this pub
LEGATION asking for the authors name
and address.
The letter follows:
Editor Trench and Camp care Y.
NJ. c. A. Headquarters Building,
Camp Funston. kan.
Dear Sir: Will you please send
me the name and address of the man
who wrote the song, When We Whip
the Kaiser, also the name and address
of the man who issselling the song in
the amp, and greatly oblige, yours
truly. Bert Foster, Box SIS, Hays,
Kan
Any information regarding the
names and addresses of the two men
will be appreciated by the editor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
THE FORTY THOUSAND
The First Contingent Is All in Camp
and Being Trained.

All of the men in the second 40 per
cent of the first quota have arrived
in camp and have started into the
training that will make them a fight
ing force never before needed by the
United States. Over 10000 men are
here being trained and the last per
cent of the first quota, some six thou
sand men. will no doubt arrive about
the last Of the month.
The schedule outlined by Uncle
Sam is one that is bringing out a
great number of competent officers
with a training of only about three
months The old idea was that it was
necessary to tain a man for at least
a year before he knew soldering
The officers training camp in turn
ing out the men has proven the old
idea false. Some of the officers are
being changed from one command to
another. as it is General Woods idea
TO place each man where he is best
fitted to serve.
From early morning until about
4.36 o'clock in the afternoon seems
like lots of time for work, TO some of
the men: but it must be remembered
that every advantage is being taken
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
THE WORK and The SPIRIT
Bible. Classes, Discussion, Singing
and Lectures.

The program at the Y. NJ. c. A.
last Sunday was one of the best yet
in the quality of the work and the
spirit of all the services, Visitors in
the morning found Bible classes in
every corner of the building and scat
tered thruout the auditorium. Officers
privates and Y. NJ. c. "A secretaries
led the classes and the man who was
not there felt like he was missing
something which>he could not afford
to miss again, when he heard those
present telling about the discussions
later in the day. Company c, 354th
infantry, is the first company to have
a class of it's own in this brigade. but
others follow close behind.
Mr. Caster, attorney for the board
of public utilities. state of Kansas, de-
hvered a message in the auditorium
Sunday morning which struck home.
The most attentive and responsive
audience ever faced, was the speaker
comment, and the jury enthusiastic-
ally granted the attorney the decision
in the affirmative, as he told how.
for his own life, he had answered
the question, What think We of
Christ?'
The evening service led off with Il
large chorus choir. making the welK :
in ring and the men sang the OLD
gospel songs as they love to do. But
this was the first meeting of the men
for discussion of camp problems and
Our Social Life was thoroly ami
suggestively considered. The spirit of
cooperation was predominant. and
with every one trying to do what he
can do to make his life here of benefit
to the other fellow, there will De
some unusual talent unearthed and
enjoyed here during the next few
months. Happy Mac" as the ma
tional army has named our chef. re-
sponded to theaudience's approval of
his remarks bV rendering cOrppf
solo, and Backer, from Company B,
354th, again proved a favorite, ana
could only quiet the applause by sing
ing q solo.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
STUNTS AT NUMBER 9

During the past week three pro-
grams were put on by the soldiers.
Private Adams of Co. No. 356th In
fantry, recently from the Orpheum
circuit, has a crowd at his bidding as
soon as he steps in the door. His sing
ing is what the soldiers call A No. 1.
Corporal Mcclure of the same COM
pany taps the worries with a vim. He
keeps all the popular music in his
head in readiness to let it out thru his
fingers at a moments notice.
Private Nevin is also popular at the
piano. He can accompany anybody
with any song regardless of whether
he has heard the song or not, and puts
on a program himself between halves.
He also officiates at the piano for the
orchestra.
Private Douglas of the H. Q. Co.
34Oth F. A. came into the limelight
last week as a songbird. His melodious
voice attracts a crowd that sticks.
Private Doctor and Private Critch-
field take the cake as jaggers. The
Y. NJ. G. A. is considering a steel
plate floor to withstand the mighty
attacks of the heavy French steel
plate army shoes worn by these high
steppers.
An orchestra composed of first
class talent is in full swing. At their
first practice on the stage the crowd
gathered quickly and cheered Justify at
the end of each piece of music, think
ing set program was De1ng put on.
On Wednesday night a few boxing
matches were staged but it soon be-
came evident that the contestants
were getting more blows from the
side walls and corners than from
each other. So the proposition was
/ put up to the crowd to buy a mat and
extend the platform. To do this a lit
! tie "kale" was necessary. To this end
1 Bob Vernon was brought into the ring
/ and succeeded in making such a hit
/ by his speech, that as benches were
too heavy to throw and no chairs were
/ handy the men threw money. When
the spells were counted Bob found
that he had made knock down blow
as he had received enough money to
I buy the necessary equipment
/ When the crowd had left we found
that some of the fellows had madc
| knock down blows too in their STAN
pede to see the coin shower, as several
of the writing tables had been cruelty
/ torn from their hinges and were lying
/ helpless on the floor. However. with
the money shower in hand. the next
/ knock-down blow will not call in the
4 medical corps as there will be a soft
| place and more room to fan on with
] the new mat and the larger platform
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-20
HEROIC CHAPLAIN
Nance, From the French Front, Dis
abIed,- Now at Funston.

Chaplain Nance won himself a
home in the hearts of the boys who
heard him Sunday morning in his first
talk to the boys. Lieutenant Nance,
who comes as chaplain of the first six
battalions> of the 164th depot brigade.
is no tenderfoot in the war game. He
spent six months at the front in
France, driving an American Red
Cross ambulance.
He enlisted in the American service
hut received the pay of a private in
the French army and he had to pay
his own expenses, about $500, to per
form his duty of mercy to the wound
ed of France. He was wounded and
disabled, almost blinded by poisonous
gas and had to give up and return to
America, but now he is ready to go
over again.
Chaplain Nance will later tell of
some of his experiences at the 'front.'
and the writer guarantees that all
who viii be aDle to hear will be in
terested.