Arizona republican., 1918-07-06
CAMP CODY MAN FROM A[HAMbRA
 WRITES OF L|FE

James. P. Oxley of Alhambra, one of the men who left Phoenix May 27 with the big contingent for Camp Cody, has written his mother at Alhambra, tell ing about the democratic spirit of the camp, the work done there by the Red Cross, Y. M. c. A. and other organiza- tions. Oxley says he likes it and that the others like it in camp. His letter follows:
 At last the 18th arrived. We were all prepared, but there was lot left till the last moment and necessitated quite a hurry and no little excitement On the whole, however things went smoothly, not great deal of change in the ordinary routine.
 A few hundred boys hurried around putting the finishing touches to their affairs, which they were leaving, for God only knows how long. Some, no doubt. forever They bore a silk band around the arm which read, National Army, Arizona" We all carried that little ribbon proudly glad of the op- portunity given us to do our bit in the great struggle of democracy to down autocracy and proud of the state we represent
 Our mothers and fathers, relatives and friends, were their enmasse. Peo- pie filled the streets to overflowing, coming and going. all bent on giving the boys one rousing big doff such | as Phoenix had never seen before. The door and heart of our old town was open, for the boys to ask was to receive. Phoenix in the last few hours was theirs
 A great demonstration of feeling in the form of parade, rousing speech by Art Rick and the long train of coaches filled with eager boys were | ready to pull out.
 A sea of faces were upturned to- wards parting sons, husbands and friends. Our brave mothers stood with 1 clear eyes trying to smile. God bless them for theirs is as great battle as our own.
 | At last the train moved and for miles | the tracks at crossings were lined with people waving handkerchiefs, hats and what not and crying parting farewell. 1 For an hour or so silence reigned, and not a few eyes were moist. One boy was overheard to say: Gee, fel- lows, but this is great old valley. I never knew how much I loved it till now. I am going to live and die right here for there is no better garden spot on Gods earth
 Not all expressed themselves but his sentiment was echoed in the hearts of most. At last the real John Smith or Bill Johns appeared and things began to liven up.
 Some sang, joked and played cards Soon crap game was started that not even slackened when the train stopped at Lordsburg but only abated in fury and finally stopped when the long train came to halt at Camp Cody at a. m. the next morning.
 Our train stopped at Tucson for about 30 minutes. Five hundred or so of Tucson citizens were there A band also graced the occasion. Most of us got out and limbered up a little also patronized little Chinese store across from the depot
 Here quite few got in bad with the army. We poked our heads out the windows. What, were we dreaming or was it just a mirage Ono, you don't see mirage at night. and by pinch ing ourselves we realized that We were awake, but there is was, a large sign, Wholesale Liquor Dealers,'' and next door a real genuine saloon with the regular swinging doors and the usual large electric light sign to draw the moths to it's light.
 The train was emptied of about a fourth of its occupants. They could be seen running hurriedly towards the big sign and soon those little shutter doors were lively and continuously swinging on their hinges
 Soon the stream of boys were hur- rying back to the train, all with mys- terious packages under their arms and in their blouses. It was hard for them to realize that they were so soon out of Arizona, and they acted quite as if they expected Officer Sullivan or Sher- if Wilky to lay a firm hand on their shoulder whereat they would see q stern judge and hear the sentence Sixty days on the road gang"
 All their fears were soon drowned however, with genuine old Taylor and the rest of the fire water.
 When we alighted at Cody three 0, four hours later some had become quite buoyant and noisy in spirit However, after d march and an hours wait in the hot sun, through thar famous sand of Cody. quite a gooC number were taken to the guard house in an ambulance, quite unconscious o what was going on. Not so, however Uncle Samuel, for he immedatell jotted down name and several record; were started. They were on the wrong side of the ledger you can bet you bottom dollar on that.
 The rogues gallery keep records, s' do some large corporations. but ou old Uncle has them all backed off th' map. He knows your past, he find your mental status, the physical con dition of your body and keeps a lin or check oH you while in his service He knows how many times you've beer in the guard house, how often vol failed to answer at roll call, or viola tion of any of his numerous regula tions.
 Keep a clean record is the advic given us and you do well to heed sucl counsel.
 After an inspection of baggage fo concealed weapons or liquor, quite
 little of the latter was found The boy not being able to get away with it al and could not persuade their neigh bors, not without considerable urgin to relieve them. We were then quar tered in casual camp, to remain un til released from quarantine.
 One does not appreciate the work 0 the Y. M. c. A. and the Red Cross i the army. We will not feel the grea hand of mercy of the latter to an great extent until on the actual battle field of France. and there it is indis
 pensable. It is hard to picture tn condition without its aid.
 It is Gods work carried to a grea sea of suffering and pain. If you 8
 home have anything to give, give {