Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-12-06
Two OF res Arcs Boys in Uniform Some
where in France.


continued ifom last week.
There was nothing of especial in
terest on from Poplar Bluff to Douglas
except an observation of country and
its people. Everywhere We were
greeted with hearty cheers and wav-
ing hshiss. The first morning we were
in Arkansas the fields of corn and
cotton ara their cultivators were very
interestirFf' TO US, for We had never
seena fieia Of cotton growing before.
Invariably "Sam would halt his
mule and wave his cap or "bandan-
ma" And the same spirit was shown
by "Liza Jane and the picaninnies"
when we passed their hut.
We passed through some nice
towns, too. At several places where
we stopped we were given southern
fruit ami flowers by the girls of
Dixie. San Antonia and Ell Paso are
very pretty places. We liked to see
the herds in Texas and watch the cow
boys as they sat firmly on the back OF
prancing broncho or galloped with
ease across the plain. There is inter-
est to be found on the Rio Grande,
too. We saw some Mexican soldiers
Just across the river before we cross
cd it into New Mexico. But the trip
from Ell paso through the deserts of
New Mexico and Arizona grew some
what monotonous. All that meets
ones eyes in that section, as far as
one can see, is sand and the desert
plants, and occasionally a ranch. We
wondered how man or beast could
exist in that section.
We were all glad to reach Douglas,
even if its surroundings were but a
little better, for we were tired of rid
ing the train. Douglas itself is q very
/ pretty place o. about twelve or four
teen thousand inhabitants. 1t has
some very nice bungalows, streets
and street car service, and has the
appearance of busy place. Its
smelters and packing plants AFFORD
| work for several. .E-
But after the continuous sand storms
! at Douglas we were as glad to leave
as we had been to arrive. Within 6
: few days we were beyond the sands
r What contrast to be had in a few
hours ride from the desert of New
Mexico into the Great Plains! On
evening in the twilight, we beheld
!. natural lonely picture of desolation
:, Far across the waste of sand toward
y, pink sunset, there appeared along tn
% horizon a long low chain of oddshap
ed hills and buttes. Their ancien
columns and barren surrounding
made us feel lonely as we sat on tn
r., coach steps thinking of the pantin
- coyote trotting his long trail to
: watering place, and the timid jack
- rabbit that gnawed callous plant t
- appease his hunger. Man and hi
-, handiwork were absent and Natur
- put forth sparingly.
- But while the night was on tn
,r scene was changed; we arose to gree
the morning sun and found him paint
u ing pictures of grandeur on a virgl
=, soil. Its boldest features were tn
" essence of peace, plenty, progress an
~ prosperity. tits the realization OF OF
4 sturdy forefathers three centurit
=. ago--"The shrine of each patriots dt
votion, the land OF the free and tt
home of the brave.n For hundred
OF miles, day after day, we passe
!. over the Great Plains, the fertile Va
=. leys and the bustling East. Contil
:, ually unbounded wealth and INTEL
- gent faces of our own race met OIL
-. vision. Everywhere we were greett
!, with shouts and cheers and tlowe
and smiles as proof OF the sentiment
=. our people. May we ask those who
- their loyal response have proved to
80 that they are backing US, to rest a
I'D sured that we are willing to stand
y. our post of duty any where and at
-. times and strike for the flag tn
fiaunts on the threshold Of their hapl
ID home and scatters the gleam Of fire.
~ dom over our great country.
., We had ride Of eight continue
=. days and crossed thirteen states. '
,ar enjoyed the trip immensely and we
greatly impressed by the loyal Q
preston in every district.
Can you imagine the medley
nor thoughts and aspirations that form
ish the principal topics for the thousan
lily of men in o. d. on q certain eveni
em when they walked the docks for p'
les timer In the crowd spectator cot
OF haye seen variety OF fellows.
few there were in their teens, who
courage far exceeded their age. The
we're many in their late teens o
early twenties, robust, clear'eyed a
at. healthy. Some were tanned by
Of warmth OF q southern sun, and st'
on wart from the farm. Some who h
at come from the schools, business G
his leges and various interprisos, were
fair as the fairer sex, but develop
H. from the gymnasium. And there W
he "Standishes''--sturdy old soldt
nae teste and tried, who for years |