Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-09-05
ALLEN WELLS WRITES
ABBOTT CAMP CoDY
White Soldiers Cannot Go in Groups
of More ThA . 'wo. Deming Has
Negro vcemen.
HAS LITTLE TO DON%>
UNTIL EQUIPMh ARRIVES
Soldiers Are Not Allowed to- Witt
Women. Not Even with WiN n
Mothers.

SOauers Are Not Allowed to- With
Women, Not Even with WiA n
Mothers.
Camp Cody, Deming, N. NJ.
Aug. %, 1917.
Dear Papa and Mama:
I got your good letter OF the 18th
which had been forwarded from Dav-
enport, and papa do enjoy your let
ters as much rs I do yours mama. Oh,
1T is so hot-10S in the shade a1d
l22 out in the sun. scarcely have
enough ambition to write this. But
thank the Lord In about four hours it
will be cool. 1t doesn't start to get
hot in the morning until 10 o'clock.
We spent this morning in moving
cots (which are canvas and fold up
very compactly) inside Of two mess
halls, and policing up generally. this
is only temporary. When we get our
cents, guns and horses, we are to be
moved out into the foot hills; for we
need pretty big place for q picket
line, gun park, and parade ground as
we'll as target range.
We have good water to drink. The
latrines are burned out every morn
ing and are kept very clean. The
showers which have only cold water
are Godseld.
When we left Davenport we took
everything we had, including the kind
ling and the back cat. The people of
Davenport gave the battery three
washing machines. and believe me
they sure were busy this morning.
Battery ID" has already been dub
bed "Leather-leggins." for nearly all
4ef MS haya them. We get up at $50
=. m. !; mess Is at 6; drill or fatigue as
II is called is from to II q. M;
mess at IL m. After the 29th of this
month we do not get any meal or pos
sibly half rations at noon. Fatigue
from to 4:30 p. m; mess at Sis p.
M; retreat at p. m; tattoo 9 u.
M; and taps at II p. m. Oh this is a
gay life and am in good health, soon
I will be acclimated and then every
thing will be lovely.
Some Minnesota infantry has just
come in. Soon there will be $4,000
soldiers here. What city! Just
think what it will cost to feed us at
75c day for each one. haven't been
in Deming yet and I don't think I
shall 60 in for some time.
There are niger military police in
town; white soldiers can not go to-
gether in bodies or more than two.
due to the hard feeling between black
and white soldiers. There is regi-
ment of the black (infantry). We had
a cool shower last night and it cer-
tainly felt fine. All we have done this
afternoon 10 lay around. Please send
me some stamps as ! am all out of
them besides being broke. We have
had no pay day. Uncle Sam pays US
whenever he gets around to 1t and at
no special time. We are the best fed
and the largest unit here at Camp
Cody. have already acquired lit
tie tan, and by the time come back,
ought to be nearly black.
In Deming no soldier is allowed to
walk or be with a woman. 40 matter
If it is his mother or wife. and no
woman is allowed in camp under any
conditions. I haven't seen a woman
since left Ell Paso. In this country
soldiers are 'trash"-civilian have
absolutely nothing to do with them.
l am happy. healthy, and contented,
so don't worry about me, for am be-
having myself.
On top Of our cots we have placed
our bed sacks. filled with straw. our
blankets on top Of that makes hilly
but comfortable bed.
Your aflectionate soa,
ALLEN.
Camp Cedy. Deming. N. M.
ts.e Aug. %, 1917.
Dear Papa and Mama:
we have mountain time here. Last
night nearly all of Battery ID" walk
cd the mile and half into Deming-
it's Q rum town. The streets are
crowded with Mexicans and soldiers;
there are very few white civilians aad
absolutely no women. There are many
saloons, but no soldiers can buy III
ouor. Soldiers are allowed to be only
in twos. Battery I'd" collected tn,s
big saloon which had q big dance hslis
We stayed about half an hour-po
oae ot 40 drank anytAing-but some
OF 10 fellows did da46e. ~ lat - ~ (
&ahls ma cotser ~ the bie tepA4 =