The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-05-25
YOUNG MEN QUICKLY
Fitting FOR BATTLE
Letter Is From George Black,
Now AT Ell Paso I
They ALL CAN EAT some
Even to Sand, But That Is Nice.
Clean and White; In
Good Spirits
From Wednesdays Daily.

Ell Paso, Texas, May 19.-The Free
Press has commenced coming now
and we surely appreciate it. l re-
ceived the first copy when was in the
hospital. Had slight case OF tonsil-
tits, and was all fixed up in two
days. There are about 1000 men in the
hospital here, and the best of care is
given the men. The doctors are very
fine men as are all the officers in the
army.
Wheaton Williams is in the same
company we are, but Judd is in the
Fifth regiment while we are in the
Second. George Schwanenberg was
taken to the hospital this morning for
chicken poX. He will be out in a few
days, / hope. Quite number Of the
fellows have colds and sore Threats,
but we are becoming acclimated to
the country now.
1t has been chilly here all day. This
afternoon it rained and hailed and aft
er the shower we saw a very pretty
sight. The clouds were quite a Bit
/ lower than the mountains, which are
only few miles away. The different
people and languages down here are
interesting.
Ell Paso is cosmopolitan city, and
is said to resemble New Orleans.
There is a Spanish section, Mexican,
French, Chinese, negro and several
other nationalities. Ell Paso claims a
population of $4,000, and it sure must
be. There are some very large copper
and iron ore smelters down here,
which we visited yesterday. We are
not allowed to cross the international
bridge.
Jaurez is right across the river
from Ell Paso. Jaurez is the city where
the famous bull fights and gambling
resorts are. The Mexicans are al
lowed to cross to the american side,
but are searched and must take bath
to prevent typhoid and other diseases
Spanish and Mexican IS spoken on
the streets very much, and all signs
are printed in English and below are
translated in Spanish and Mexican
The buildings and residences are OF
the Spanish architectural design, and
very odd and beautiful. We passed
street after street of bungalows, all
of which were different. They are
built by companies and sold on the
installhnent plan. Some Of them are
cheaply constructed, but very neat
and substantial.
Some of the boys don't like this
country on account of the sand and
wind. There is never a day that
passes without sandstone, so con-
sequently we eat more or less sand
but don't think it will hurt us as
it is nice, clean, white sand. Grass
and trees are rare specimens down
/ here. I will admit Minnesota has 1t al
over on Texas in every way. Harold
/ Jorgenson said he wouldn't trade
ktheir front yard for all of Texas. We
are all in the best of spirits and
health. and have acquired an awful APP
petite and are getting hardened into
army life. The meals, or Chow as
we call it are very good. Hoping oul
Mankato friends are all we'll, an
sincerely, George w. Black, Company
B, Second regiment, Engineers.
L N. Tompkins has received inter
esting letters from George Black anc
Wheaton Williams, well known Man.
kato boys who recently enlisted, ant
iare now with Co. B, Second Regiment
Engineers at Fort Bliss, Ell Paso
Texas. They state that they are wei
and enjoy life in. the service. They
are now with the crack regiment .ot
engineers that was in Mexico will
Pershing, and likely to be the frs
regiment to be sent to France. The
men expect to be transferred to SaI
Antonio in the near future. The
Mankato boys state that they will be
very glad to hear from any Of theil
friends.