The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-16

Camp Lewis. Wash.,1 Sept. 49,
Especial --liere on the shores OF
American Lake an army is assem-
bling: an army that il fast losing It's
hwkwardneys and Is taking on the
smooth running qualities Of the great
American fighting machine.
Five per cent of the new national
army Is now in camp--a five per cent
that represents every station and call
Ing In life. A motley mob they were
when the first rollcall echoed among
the evergrecns Of American Lake
Some arrived in ovcralls and WOODS
men clothes. others were dressed in
the height Of fashion. Some carried
alligator skin suitcases and others had
their few belongings wrapped in huge
bandanna handkerchiefs.
There arc boys from the farms of
Montana, from the deep woods Of the
Pacific region and from the campus
Of the half q dozen universities.
Separated they rwere at first, and
clannish to tho extreme. Now they
are one-reduced and uplifted to m,.
tual comradeship by Uncle Sam, the
great leveler.
lNNes tssaA. asr M past week Aas
unloaAed is quota at the military
compound. widc-eyed youths were
seen everywhere. staring with all-see
ing eyes at the newness Of their sur
roundings.
Inconsistencies Ended Quickly.
Some were inclined to fits Of home
sickness the first few days, but they
soon got over that. They didn't have
time to think Of broken home bonds
and last farewells--things began hap
Dening to them.
They were fed. as II were. into the
hopper Of this one of Uncle Sans sol
dicr factories. Their experiences will
be the experiences. within a few
weeks. Of the other 95 per cent of
MisSonla's contribution to the sclcc-
tive army. not yet started to camp.
w. and down the lines at the outset
passed the army surgeons. Each man
was ordered to open his mouth SO
that defective teeth might be dis
covered. Y,,.s 5y.,
This brief examination over, the
rockies filed past tables where army
officers took. down the names and the
assignments OF the selects. Tho draft
ed men were then full Pledged soldiers
in the army Of the nation.
"Msssn-a Welcome Word.
The first, and all important thing on
the program for the new soldiers was
mess" The word came, u little awk
wardly to some Of the boys, but they
quickly learned that in the army
breakfast dinner and supper have one
common nanlc---mcss.
"Ncver ate better food in my life.''
said one Missoula boy as he de-
voured the last morsel on his tin plate
After mess came the first real work.
Dishwashing It was.
0ishwasline New Experience.
Y didn't know that dishwashins
was part, u being q soldier" grinned
PRIVATE Eugene Angevinc of Missoula,
''but I'm game. want to learn this
war business fast, so VIC can HEX the
kaiser. and get back h0nc."
That y tho spirit of all the selects
Men Grin. All The Willis. I,
The men grin. grin-grin when they
plunge their arms to the elbows In
greasy 0ishwatsr: grin when o train
ing sergeant gives them q calling
down for turning to tho left when It Ia
fright face; grin while they are go.
ing through the rigid physical exam.
ination that 10 the last step before
they are formally accepted as soldiers
Every event and every action thai
transpires at Camp Lewis Ia proving
that the sclective army is a huge sue.
cess. ssst..Igfs f, 4=,
That ill.asSorted. shclter -slsclter moi
Is rapidly being turned into q BODY
Of men, that Is beginning to know tn.
two lessons that arc absolutely en-
eential to q well organized army
discipline. and obedience,
u Neaisn Rich IN History.
The new Liberty army" Is en-,
camped In . 1ection rich in histori,
lore, American lake Is one of severa
lakes IN IN expanse OF level couptr,
between Puget sound and the foot
hills Of the Cascade mountains, TO tn,
south Of Tacoma. This section l,
known ~ American Prairie. the nam.
given 10 II at the first Fourth of Jul!
csJGegAkiof ON the Pacific coast IL
1elt Up to that time It was know
a. Missionary Prairie. The celebra
tion u said to have been the first pre-
arranged patriotic observance west o
the Mississippi river.
The town OF StejlacoOm. about fiv