Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-05
SOLDIER LADS
| ENJOYING LIFE
GUARDSMEN AT BROWNSVILLE
MAKE BEST OF ABSENCE FROM
HOMES ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

In his notes published in The Com.
pany Street column of the Iowa
Guardsmen, the Iowa Brigade's news
paper at Brownsville, Texas, Donald
Byrne of Ottumwa, member of
Co. G, has the following:
Lieut. Nelson has gone on hunt
ing trip for three days.
The event of Christmas was cele-
brated by Company G in as fitting a
manner as possible on the border
Private Carnes spent Christmas
day at Pharr, Texas, visiting some old
friends who formerly lived in Par
nell, Iowa.
Private Veech, the company barber,
was kept so busy around Christmas
time that he didn't have time to shave
himself until Christmas day.
Numerous very useful gifts we're
received by the different fellows. such
as home made cakes. candy and
fruit, which are certainly useful to a
Esoldier on such day as that.
Corp. Lowe was feeling rather like
he would like to be home Christmas
morning. He told the boys never to
follow a band off, because the last
one he followed led him to the army.
A letter was received from Private
Hobbs. who is home on a furiough.
John says it is nice to be home, but
lit is too cold to leave the house. He
says it was % degrees below zero
one day.
Private Grammer wanted to hang
ND his stocking on Christmas eve,
but Corp. Lowe told him that there
was no chance for Santa Claus to
come down the chimney in the army
where they use only four-inch stove
pine.
Corp. Finarty is detailed to the
companv clerk office to help with the
work of getting out the regular six
months ordnance report COMPANY
Clerk Howe1ys nrides himself that
thew have the renort out because it
looked like almost an impossible task
when the renort was first ordered
Since coming to the border we have
transferred six men to other COM
naries and one TO the regular army.
The men who transferred to other
companies in the regiment will all go
home whenever we are sent. but the
one man. Private Oscar knodel. who
transferred to the regulars. has four
years before him.
Regimental Sergeant Major Harry
Slaughter Battalion Sergeant Major
Tony Elliott. and Sergt. Earl Cherry
of Headquarters company: Privates
Harry CARPENTER and Davidson OF the
Supplv comnanv. and Private Oscar
Knodel of Comnanv A. end Field Bat
former G men. were with us for din
ner Christmas.
Dinner was a sncces in every sense
of the word with what the govern
ment furnished and our mess fund.
(which was repIenished by contri-
button from home short time ago,
lots of good things were on the tables.
The afternoon and evening was spent
around camp by some. while others
went to town to pass the time away,
which hung very heavily on their
hands.
A few days before Christmas Wood
row received very neat package. all
covered with Christmas seals and
looking verv much like watch or
some other kind Of jewelry. but when
Woodrow OPENED It and found it to
contain package of Dog soap the
laugh was on him. but he says he
won't be bit selfish with it. when
ever his friend Duke wants to use the
soap he is welcome to do so.
The loss of Knodel is very keenly
felt by the company because of his
good qualities as soldier and his ex-
pert skill as signal man. Private
Knodel enlisted at Ottumwa, Iowa, on
June 90 1916 with several years ex-
perience as signalman on trans-At-
lantic boats and has proved valuable
asset to the company, as teacher
to the men who had to know the diff
ferent codes which the Z. S. army
uses for signal work. The entire
company wishes him the best Of sue
cess in his new work.