The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-06-05
Wriphtstown Camp Assured.

| The establishment OF government
military camp at Wrightstown is an
assured fact, as General Bell, com
mandsr of the department of the east
formally accepted the site last week
The camp, which in military terms is
called cantonment, is for the mobiliz
ing of the conscripted soldiers of New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, to the mum.
Der of about $4,000. There are to be
fifteen other similar camps in various
parts of the United States.
The tract comprises between 1900
and 1000 acres, and in general terms
includes the land lying between
Wrightstown to Lewistown to Yerkes'
corner, through Pointville to the Han
over road, back to Wrightstown. The
land has been leased for one or more
years not exceeding four.
1t is settled that additional land
besides that originally chosen for camp
purposes, will be taken for rifle ranges.
Last week an extension of the tract
was examined by military officers,
comprising about 1000 acres, much OF
which is pine land, in an easterly di-
rection, about miles long. This is con-
sidered an ideal tract for rifle practice as
the nsighborhood is sparsefy' settled
and but few public roads will interfere.
Some of the roads on the entire tract,
it is thought, will be closed, only the
main thoroughfares being allowed to
remain open for travel.
Several states were in competition
for the camp, but the site at Wrights-
town met all requirements more near
ly than any other location; water sup
ply, drainage, character of soil, com.
parative level ground, climate, railroad
facilities, nearness to large cities, prox-
unity OF milk and other farm products,
land available for rifle ranges, and
other details we're among the necessary
specifications for the camp site, and
Wrightstown came out on top on these
requirements.
The camp is within easy reach of
Trenton, New York and Philadelphia.
1t is on ridge about IT'S feet above the
sea level, affording excellent drainage.
An extensive water system will be
installed, the supply probably to be OBJ
tanned from artesian wells, which in
this neighborhood furnish fine quail
ity of water.
The sanitary arrangements will be
of modern standards and will entail
the expenditure of much money.
There will be several thousand shower
baths, toilet facilities, etc.
The barracks, officers quarters, cook
houses, ETC., will be of frame construc-
ton. Tents will not be used, as the
camp is to be for winter as we'll as sum-
mer use.
1t is estimated that So, 900, 900 will be
expended in preparing the camp for
occupancy.
Nearly all the fences on the tract
will be removed; also number of
barns and other buildings. Consider
able grading is also probably necessary.
Last week about so civil engineers
and assistants began the work of sur
veving the farms, so that detailed
the land can be forwarded
TO thwarmy department. The location
Of buildings, drill grounds, etc., will
then be determined and construction
work will be pushed vigorously.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany is preparing to do its share of the
work necessary for the transportation
facilities. The Kinkora and Pember-
ton and Hightstown railroads will be
put in first-class condition by the plac-
ng Of many new ties and rails, and |
,he strengthening Of bridges. Addi-
,ional sidings will be placed liz the |
of the camp, and several |
'purs will be run direct into the |
grounds. All or part of the Pember-
on and Hightstown road will be oper-
tied by the Pennsylvania road.
The Bell Telephone Company last |
week received an order to connect the |
amp with first-class connections. A |
able carrying 124 wires will be run |
rom the central office at Mount Holly |
% the training camp, where central |
office will be established. This cable |
will be strung along the Bell Com
1any's present line of poles from
Mount Holly through Pemberton to
Last week the camp site was visited
BY number of military men, civil |
engineers, etc. This sudden influx OF
visitors was severe tax upon the hotel |
and other eating facilities Of that
1t was impossible to ac-
all, and few of the WISH
tors we're compelled to go on short
rations, as the food supply became ex
The stocks Of cigars, ciga-
rettss and tobaccos were cleaned out,
but these were soon replenished. The
hotel keepers and local merchants are
strenuous efforts to increase
their facilities for supplying meals and
food to all visitors.