Valdez daily prospector., 1917-02-06
"The Fighting For

his fist--a business mans fist, and rather soft-looking-"the Fighting Forty-second is ready. In forty eight hours we can turn out, twelve hun dred strong, equipped for service on the border, We lack only few horses, which can be easily procured. The boys are all keen for going"
 This was in May, 1916.
 A little later, the boys went. From that time to this they have patrolled the border.
 If you folks back home were down here, with the "Fighting For ty-second." as 1 am, you would find the regiment, down to the last man. fighting mad Their fight isn't against the MeXicans (practically all the MrXicans they have seen are the friendly ones who have blacked their Louts and sold them vegetables). but against the present system. or lack of system, in the militia. l hear one question on all sides: When We are mustered out of the Federal Ser vice will we have to go back into the militia?" It is certain that II we should be given our choice. not a third of us would hold up our hands for a second hitch"
 Why not? Here is d brief outline oi what has happened during our five months on the border. It will give you the reason for our discontent.
 Like most other militia organiza- tions, ours had long awaited an order to go to the Mexican border. Many factors had attempted to influence the administration to send troops there; the newspapers habltuall!' played up each bit or Border news with relish; and fresh raids had made danger imminent. Most 0t the mem bcrs Of our regiment, eager for novel excitement. their minds full of the supposed romance" of war, were anxious to start Only few those who had seen something oi the nIiIiti;i in the Sp4nish-American War, or had observed the state troops on their short summer hikes, tempered their enthusiasm with doubt.
 At last the order came.
 On Sunday in early June, q few of us had been for the weekend at the Rifle Range--a very few as usn- al: it has always been hard 10 get the state soldiers to train themselves in shooting and as We dropped on the train upon our return to the city all officer was waiting to order Us immediately to the armory. lie dldn | need to tell us the reasons for tho summons: NewsbOys everywhe er" were shouting, Extra. Militia Call ed Out"
 At the arnOry Was great excite ment. The Colonel was banging the table; quarter-masters were checking lover equipment; and dozens of appli-
 
 young fellows hectic with War fever We packed at once.
 Two night later as we lined ur before the Colonel for our last ''check Iroll-call' at the armory, We were a motley crowd. The roster had been increased over night to war strength and so half the men were raw re- cruits. As there was not enough equipment to go around, they ap- peared in khaki hats, or service leg gings, or perhaps. Olive-drab brooches in a vain attempt to disguise their summer civilian suits. A man with rifle still wore his white ducks another had managed to scrape up g complete army uniform except for hat. He wore his derby. So it went
 But everybody was happy. The ex' citement of the service was in the air. There was a slant of shouldered rifles and the clink of officers spurs Friends were there to wave flags al US; "best girls touched handker chiefs to eyes quite fetchingly; tho band blared forth the national an them. It was a drama-the movies action! A thousand citizens were dropping their blows to grasp mus ket.
 Then something happened. It rain