The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-06

H. U. Thomas oberon, N. D.,
sends a letter from his son, Lyell J.,
who is at Camp Dodge. Mr.. Thomas
has three other sons in the service,
one at the Great Lakes training
station and two at Fort Smelling,
The letter from Lyell follows:
Camp Dodge, Iowa,
Sept. II, 1917.
Co. No. /, Medical Detachment,
Provisional Ambulance.
Dear Dad and Mother:-
Have just finished cleaning my
mess kit and am now sitting on my
cot writing about our Sunday din
ner-some feed; fried spring chick
en-, mashed potatoes with brown
gravy, boiled cabbage, celery, bread
and butter strawberry ice cream on
a half cantaloupe.
I'll send you a Des Moines Regis
ter so you may get some idea of our
quarters. Each of the barracks, and
they are all built alike. is over a
hundred feet long and fifty wide;
each houses, on the second floor, one
company 150 menC and officers
quarters, dining hall and kitchen are
on the first floor. Three huge furn-
ace-like stoves to a floor are to heat
the barracks. Part of our second
floor is filled with enlisted men.
There are seventy-five cots in our
part. Each man has an iron cot,
one canvas. straw filled tick. and
two wooden blankets.
Duties assigned to the different
members sometime during the week
are: barrack guards, sweep out
barracks twice day and answer
and direct strangers. I've had this
detail once already. 1t relieves Zone
from all other military duties, such
as drill and hikes; kitchen assis-
tants; latrine guards ana helpers at
medical supply depot.
This morning we were given the
following card to fill out:
Name Date Acquainted
Rank Company Regiment
camp Home address Schools
attended, Glass u Church
Preference Trade or profession
OF what societies (fraternal, religi-
Gus or other) are you a member
What special interests have you in
dramatics- In athletics In
music What instruments do you
play What other special inter
ests have you-? Please suggest on
back of card any way in which your
leisure hours in or out OF camp
might be made more interesting or
So you see they evidently aim to
please. f-
Each fellow washes his clothes
with soap and scrub brush at a
long board like table. placed in
front of and draining into the sink,
in the bath house. Our barrack room
has the continual appearance or
| wash-day with lines of shirts,
towels, socks and underwear crisis
crossing in all directions.
The whole camp presents pict-
uresuue and active scene. A major
generals big touring car just went
by. 1t may be told by the red nag
with white star in the center flying
from the radiator. A cavalry man
| is galloping down the road. Spick
and span young lieutenants may be
seen strolling around with cane
under one arm and a. girl under the
other. Today Is visitors day and
scores of people afoot and In autos
are making the rounds OF the BAR
racks.
last evening went down TO Des
| Moines and had a fine warm show
err and plunge in the big pool, all
/ for FIVE cents.
Just happened to think last Friday
was my birthday. so Edna. II you
get time to make me a box OF candy
I'll be ready to receive 1t. Called on
the dean (now Capt. Robinsonl y
LLOYD Monsoon and Harold Engerud,
| Chas. Dawson and Musberger, all OF
Fargo. who are in barracks nearby
| were out at the time. Have seen
Harry Carpenter and Don Hail re-
Gently. The camp is almost like
Fargo reunion. .
Send me a couple Of wash cloths II
the Red Cross up there can spare
them. Most of the men have COM
pIete outfits supplied by the heo
/ Cross at home.
With love to all the family.
LYEIL.