The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-06
SOUTH DAKOTA BOYS
THEY MAY NOW BE ON THEIR
WAY TO FRANCE.

Sioux Falls, Dec. 6.-Warden and
Mrs. G.. C. Redfield arrived Sunday
from a southern trip, which took
them to New Orleans, where they at
tended the National Prison Congress.
They were accompanied by w. H.
King, wife and son of Mitchell, and
A. o. Ringsrud, and daughter, of Elk
Point, the men being members of the
state board of charities and correc-
lions. En- route home they visited
New York and spent November 28 at
Mineola, N. Y, with the South Da-
kota boys. They were Thanksgiving
guests Of Col. Boyd Wales, of the
41st division Of Camp Mills. While
in the camp they visited with a large
number of South Dakota boys, in
Guiding the companies from Sioux
Falls, Mitchell, Parker, Pierre, Rapid
City, Yankton and in fact nearly all
Of the companies. Indications were
that part of the South Dakota regi-
ment had gone and that within two
days or less, the other companies
would be loaded on transports and
sent overseas. The German mer-
chant ship, "Vaterland," was in port
and the boys felt 1t was their trans
port. They report the South Dakota
lads as well and ready to go. but
all wearing a serious face. They
were more than delighted to see any
one from South Dakota. and were
anxious to hear from home.
They report the boys as pleased
with the treatment received there.
The Kings and Redfields entertained
a group of South Dakota lads at Rec
tors in New York on Thanksgiving
day.
The Long Island and New York
citizens threw their homes open on
Thanksgiving day and entertained
all the soldiers that were allowed to
leave the camp.
Mr.. King said operations were ex-
tremely secret, but indications were
that the South Dakota boys would be
loaded on transports lying in harbor
in a couple of days. He reports the
commanding officers, L~ieutenants
Shipton and Rogers, as tremendous
favorites. Mrs. Redfield stated that
the Parker and Rapid City boys es-
pecially, and in fact all the South
Dakota boys, were enthusiastic about
the wonderful work the Red Cross is
doing, and what a home the Y. M.
G.. A. makes for them in camp, and
asked her to tell the folks back home
how they felt about those organiza-
tions.
She also stated that before sailing
every boy was to have a complete
Ir~s43oI Dad Trncu outfit Tins Drp-
pairing him for the winter in France.
All in all, the South Dakotans enjoy
ed the day at Camp Mills and were
reluctant to leave the boys, who
made their visit so very pleasant.
While in the east the visitors also
learned that the troops are taken to
the transports in the early morning
the darkest hour before dawn, put
aboard and leave the harbor without
lights. Townsfolk, IL they awake
cheer the troops as they go past and
often shower them with gifts. OF
late the leaving time has been about
daylight and the khaki clad youths
march quite openly. In the camp
where the South Dakota lads are
$1,000 soldiers have been training.
1t will be cheering news to South
Dakota folks to actually know thai
their loved ones spent Thanksgiving
day in America. even though they
probably are now at sea. The pas
week rumors have been current re.
garding the movements of the South
Dakota boys, but Mr.. King stated to
day that he saw practically all com
panies from South Dakota represent.
ed, in the great Uncle Sam town, or
Thanksgiving day.