The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1917-10-05
ARTHUR SIEGMUND WRITES.
Camp Funston. Kansas.

! lycdl VI |. Alltll
The Mellette county boys are 50
busy at camp that We hardly lind time
to write, besides we have to sit on
our army bunk and use our knee for
desk when we do write. The \. NJ,
c. A. have desks, but these are al
ways taken
From Murdo. where we left Satur-
day, Sept -, to camp, we were wei
coined At Chamberlain the Red
Cross organization at that place gave
lis wonderful supper Chicken.
! Chicken Pie, Cake. Ice Cream.
and everything that was good. Yes,
and forgot to mention tnat every
soldier was given pretty bouquet OF
flowers. These people were very good
to us.
Al MITCHELL which place we reached
about midnight, our ear was hooked
on a special troop train. which went
straight through TO Camp Funston
For breakfast we were III Sioux
City There, too, thousands greeted
us. And Of all the yelling: some of
the White River fellows advertised
Melette county from Murdo to Wa
hoo. Kansas, where their voices failed
them. From Sioux City to Omaha
our train had eighteen coaches, all
loaded with men. Girls would come
out at the little stations (of course
our train did not stop and give us
their addresses and flowers, flags, etc.
From Omaha to Lincoln we had
two engines on our train and about
twenty ears. At Lincoln we were
shown the best time OF all. A great
feast at the Tyndell Hotel; hundreds
Of girls pinned flowers Oil our coats
and wished us good luck. After sup
per we were led TO the City Hall,
where we heard the Hon. II Wilson
talk. Soldiers OF the National Guard
escorted us from and to the train.
They tell us about so GOO to 100000
people were out to see us.
The next morning we reached camp,
prett, tired, altho we had sleepers
both nights that we were on the
train. We did not get breakfast
that morning until we had taken a
cold shower bath, issued our mess
kits, clothing, etc. 1t was about
1000 a. IN when got it. Right after
;reanIast we were rushed to the
HOSPITAL for physical examination:
then dinner. Food here is good but
, take it from me that it does not COM
pare with home. After dinner we
, were Given double vaccination-one
for small pox and the other Tor ty-
phoid. The surgeons herded us
throughout like we do cattle even
worse when we vaccinate them Tor
black leg. This was pretty hard on
, the men: they fell like dead men right
. and left Immediately after the vac
, cination. from fainting. came very
near going down myself. 1T made US
feel sick for several days, but are over
if now. The trouble is we have two
more coming.
The next day we had our first drill.
This was not SO bad. but kind OF hard
on city boys. We have taken one
? hike over these Kansas hills. On the
} trip we made frequent stops, during
| which time our officers would instruct
y ms on the art Of war The study is
a an interesting one, and, | believe,
1 very good for every Young man.
We have been assigned to the
Machine Gun Battalion. This, | be-
: lieve is the choice Of the army, AT
Z least that seems to be the prevailing
9 opinion Of military men down here,
G When we get our equipment W.
Z will have quite a number OF machine
e guns. mules. motor trucks. etc. W.
i will not carry rifles that is, to-
K majority won't, but have an automat
ic pistol buckled to our waists, OF a
caliber. Most all Of the boys like IL
! However we would not like to sta
:, always. For me it is not like hom
by a long ways.
, Chas. Mcbride asked ne t" tell yo
'r TO send his paper down here SO w
: can read it.
IS I have witten this letter unde
)f difficult conditions, SO am not entlrel
], responsible for the errors.
a Letters will always be welcome
40 Address us at Co. A, a4Oth Nj. u. Is
-, Camp Funston, Kansas.
With best wishes to the Mellet,
" county people.
'o Sincerely,
ne ART SIEGMUND.
p The latest best seller: The La