Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-03
SOLDIERS GUARD
ON ALL
ROADS
Co. M From Fairfield Comes
to Ottumwa; Will Protect
Transportation Routes
MAKE CAMP
IN PARK

Ottumwa was given its first actual
animation Friday night that wal with
Germany Is more than a probability
when co. NJ of Fairfield. second Iowa
infantry, came to this city OF Burling-
ton passenger train No. 179, which was
several hours late. The guardsmen
arrived here at 7:1S and their equip
ment IN three cars vas separated from
the balance of the train and sidetrack-
ed near h union station where the
men camped for the night.
Today Caldwell park is being con-
verified into a regular field camp for
the guardsmen. City officials accom-
panied Capt. w. c. Smith of Co. NJ to
the park this morning and it was de-
cided to locate the soldiers on the
beautiful eminence overlooking the
river and the west end. The site as
a camp is believed by the officers Of
the company to be very good and ow-
ing to the character Of the work Of the
soldiers while here, it is more central
than any place else that might have
been available.
Come Without Orders.
The Fairfield company came here
without orders as to what their final
vi uullOO "oolo oS SAW
that they would report to Ottumwa.
The orders followed their arrival here
as to what they would do during the
evening. Sergt. Crowther was detail.
ed 10 take a platoon Of ten men to the
known as the Four Mile bridge. That
had of what they were to do. The or
~n 1n111 eN. VIZ o,,orNsn~ 1f ,,,osy,
line railroad bridges and such other
property as might be endangered in
the event of hostilities and the de-
.struction of which would interfere
with the public welfare OF the
try's defense.
Thus far three of the bridges in and
about the city are and have been un-
der guard for several hours. The vari-
GUS details were changed this morning
about 10 O'Clock. a fresh platoon re-
lieving the men who stood guard dur
ing the preceding twelve hours. The
Burlington's bridge west Of the CITY,
the Milwaukee bridge in the west end
and the Wabash bridge at the foot Of
college street are all being guarded.
A switching crew carbohydrates
took out Seret. Falkner and a change
of guard to the Four Mile bridge this
morning about $50 o'clock. bringing
back the men who spent the right
guarding the structure. This is the
biggest Of the main line railroad
bridges in this vicinity, being a double
track structure with an immense
transcontinental tonnage and passen-
ger traffic passing over it daily.
Cam, Kitchen Attracts.
A number Of persons were attracted
to the union station this morning and
visited Ballingall park where they
watched the kitchen detail busilv ON
gagged in preparing breakfast and din
ner for the men. Stoves were placed
on the ground and a few soldiers
souatted here and there peeling nota-
toes and other vegetables as well as
preparing various articles of diet for
the inner man. The p~latoons that left
for guard duty had sandwiches for
every man to stave off hunger while
watchine the property assigned to
their care.
Those mot otherwise engaged might
have been seer doing the ordinary
pastimes Of healthy young Americans
playing the national game OF baseball
or in groups reading and chatting. but
at all times very orderly and well be-
haved.
Park Sunerintendent.P. B. Cain went
out to Caldwell park early to turn on
the water in the various hydrants for
the use of the soldiers and the city Of
fcials and park commissioners will do
all in their power to make the stay OF
the soldiers in Ottumwa as comfort.
able as possible. Just how long the
company will be stationed here is not
known.
There is little hat the officers Of the
company are free to say regarding the
orders received and what disposition
is to be made of the men. but while
here the people of the city will lend
every aid possible to the Euardsmen.
The command includes e%ighty-five men
under Capt. w. C. Smith. whose stan
Of company officers includes First
Lieut.. Robert l.. Fulton. Second Lieut..
Elmer E. Flaglee. First Sergt. Ray l..
Simmons and Mess Sergt. John r.
Grail.