The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-30
Story Of Training Of lowa's Newest
Addition to the National
Guard Is
Told.
KE0KUK BOYS ARE IN IT
Train Of Guard is Being
Whipped into Shape at Camp
Dodge In Great
Fashion.

A spare little man of keen grey eye
watched with evident satisfaction the
finishing touches that were to make
real American soldiers of sixty men
in his charge, yesterday afternoon. He
was Lieutenant Colonel Fred S. Hol-
steen, commander Of Iowa's baby mill
tary unit, the first ammunition train In
the state and one Of two in the entire
country.
The men were being mustered into
the federal service Of the United
States and were taking the oath that
federalizes them.
All was bustling with activity at
the impromptu Office of Colonel
Thayer, U. S. A., chief mastering Of
ticer, who administered the oath OF
the body OF men that was formed
quicker than any other In the history
of the country, says Major E. q.
Worthington, commanding the first
battalion, Third Iowa infantry, nation
al guard, who had charge Of recruiting.
Things have been breaking fast for
the men Of the train since they were
first accepted for service brief ten
days ago.
Two weeks ago there wasn't one of
them who had any idea that such an
organization existed; in fact it didn't
exist.
Then with mushroom proficiency,
it grew almost over night and while
intelligent young fellows in Des
Moines, Red Oak. Burlington, Daven-
port and Cedar Rapids were enlisting
as chauffeurs or chauffeur's assistants
for almost immediate service IN
France, keen looking lads from EN-
metsburg, Keokuk, Mason City. Cres-
ton and dozens Of other Hawkeye
towns were doing the same thing.
Today they are grouped nearly 700
strong, under the steel and concrete
canopy covering that in state fair
time serves as the amphitheater.
The men of the ammunition train
went into concentration camp at the
fair grounds Monday noon.
All Have Cots, Though Crowded.
Already they are much at home.
The cots under the grandstand are so
numerous that every man has to crawl
into his bunk from the end every
night.
But there is not whimper.
1.-THE food is good; so is the life out
here" said First Sergeant W. H.
(Red) Golden Of Emmetsburg, As he
strolled about the place yesterday.
"All OF the men seem to be well salts
fed. And they are q fine looking body
Of men. as you can see for yourself.
Sergeant Golden had seven years
with the national guard. He was an
automobile salesman in his home town
two weeks ago, telling folks the Odds
mobile was the best car made.
Colonel Holsteen, Burlington man
by the way, is "tickled stir as he ex-
presses it. with the way things are
moving
81 haven't the slightest idea when
we will be on the move for the border.
4 don't even know whether We will go
to the border" he said And 1t would
not be good ethics for me to tell If
did know"
Colonel Holsteen and the other Of.
rcers of the company have not yet
been sworn in but expect to be today
Sor tomorrow. They are only officials
in q sense at the present time. J
Make Up Of Unit.
There are 400 chauffeurs and their
assistants in the train.
The twelve companies, running from
A to M, inclusive, in Alphabetical or
der and emitting the letter j" are
made up as follows:
One lieutenant who commands the
company, two regular supervising ser
Eeants one clerk, one truckmaster,
three assistant truckmasters, one ser
geant mechanic, one mess sergeant.
one sergeant agent, one corporal
agent, two cooks. First class privates
in other guard units are the chauffeurs
in the ammunition train and ordinary
privates are given the name OF assist
ant chauffeurs. There are In all, fifty
five men and one commanding oficer
in each company.
There are two headquarters COM
panfes. Majors for these have not yet
been assigned
| The first call as with all other COM
panies on the ground, is at $50. First
mess or breakfast is at 6:15.
There have been drills and hikes
nearly every waking hour of the day
since the train has been in camp.
| Yesterday it became necessary for
the automobile regiment men to take
their first "shot" Of vaccine for pre-
vention OF typhoid, para-typhoid and
typhus. Sore arms are legion now.
In ten days it will be necessary to
take two more Shots
Don't grab me by the arm, you
boob" was the most frequent admo-
milton on the grounds. Right-arm ed
men were distorting their bodies to
shave left-handed in an improvised
barber shop. consisting of a ticket
stand and a broken mirror back of the
amphitheater.
Only Five Dead.