The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-01-03
CAMP Pike BOYS
GETTING ACTIVE
TRENCH SERVICE
ARMY OFFICERS ARE WHIPPING
WESTERN STEARNs COUNTY
BOYS INTO CONDITION.
SOUTHERN WOMEN STARTLED
BAD WEATHER INTERPRETERS
WITH SPORTS FLANNEL FOR
CHRISTMAS DAY. .. -
Camp Pike, Ark, Dec. %.

Dear Bill '' 40
The fourth Christmas of the wa,
has bee laid up among the achives
OF history. The usual Yuletide spirit
OF gayety and cheer, always with us
at TINS period, was not so evident this
year, due, perhaps, to the SOLDERING
influence of the Great War. Al
Camp Pike it was raw and blustery
and Alright rain fell. 1t put dampe1
on the sports that were scheduled to
take place in the open; it DELAYED the
balloon ascension of Chas. Harding OF
Fergus Falls, member of my COM
pany; it made the men who were do
ing guard duty on that day smile
though as there were anxious eyes
on the bulletin board the night before
to- see who was to pace a post on
this holiday. To the Northern men,
the weather was about right, but to
the Southerners, including those OF
the sable and chocolate color, it was
too chilly and they spent most of the
time hugging the army stoves. A,
the Y. M. CA. buildings, the Ravens
of refuge for soldiers, were various
programs, glowing ireplaces, beauti-
full decorations of holly and home
like atmosphere. In most of the bar
rack buildings there were impromptu
programs, some good and some "rot-
ten," but nevertheless thoroughly en-
joyed by the boys. They sang
(roared), they Grated (ballyhoed) ;
they danced (hoeddowned.)
No weather has yet been invented
that could head them off entirely.
Some sections of the camp had lights
on late for the event and you could
hear sounds Of their joyousness for
miles. Many companies, including
ours, observed Xmas under quaran-
tine. At one building they had a
"freak" indoor track meet and a
unique variety show. Contestants en-
gagged in hundred yard dash with a
toothpick andj bean shot-putting
with paper bag, running broad
grin, the blindfolded high jump, a
continuous glum, cock fight 'ano
blindfold boxing, mouth organ selec-
lions, characteristic comedy and
dancing. "Lost harmony Resurrected'
was sung, General Orders" was rend-
cred and many pantomines by special
casts. 1t was far from being a sor-
Towful scene. For Christmas dinner,
We had everything you can imagine.
We visited the kitchen the night be-
fore and gazed wonderingly at the
long rows of pies, masses of dressed
turkeys, the tubs of dressing, the
strings of cakes, the bales OF celery.
boxes of nuts, apples, candy, and the
sweating chefs, who worked far into
the night. Housewives alone can
imagine what it means to cook a din
;ner of this kind for ESQ men. And
the next day we sat down to as fine
. meal as ever was set before king
When we were about through with the
ranast we proposed three cheers for
tbe cooks, and they were given with
all the vociferousness that Iuilness
would permit. -
Another event which marked the
occasion was the Army wedding of the
cook ia Company D, BAT Inf, to a
girl he was engaged to before tne CON,
scription got him. 1t occurred at II
o'clnck a. m. Comrades of the groom
gathered pine boughs for decorations
md built an altar which was marked
II s. N. A. A guard of honor formed
in hollow square about the aftar
during the ceremony and an army
chanla;n tied the double bowlin. After
tbe ceremony the bridal party was
c,;yan seat of honor at, speclai
J;nner in the mess hall and were also
presented with purse OF $z9 py vi
men. The groom was given all
a6 hours to celebrate; his leave from
90 expired In that time and ne ana
his bride left for Little ROCK IN q ma
chine tagged with old shoes.
Among other cards that a soldier
has to fill out is card stating what
his name is, all his family tree, what
fraternal order he belongs to as. well
&C his folks, what other accomplish
:, -, ,ents .helha besides his regular vo-
cation, whether he is a musician OF
not, what his religion is, II apy' wna :
church his parents belong 70, u ne
desires to learn a foreign language,
what his favorite sports are and many
other things. The last one 10 pc
answered is whether he has any ldea
in mind that would make Little ROCK
;mnroyed for the soldiers comfort: we
REBUILD the City Mose
If them however, suggested that some
Mace be opened up on Sunday SO that
. man could go in Saturday night or
Ennday morning and have somethlns
besides locke} doors staring him IN
the face. They also suggested that
Mace be Opened up where soldier
could go and clean himself up person
ally, sit down and visit moment with