The Meeker herald., 1918-07-27
From Walter v.ncIe.ve

H. A. Wildhack. Secretary Of Rio
Blanco Lodge, A. F. 4 A. NJ, has re-
ceived the following letter from Wal
tor Van Cleave, dated at Camp Cody,
New Mexico, July 18th:
Dear Brother VIII drop you .
few lines tO let you knew that am
we'll and getting along fine. am now
In the l83rd Infantry Band and like
IL fine. The band leader ran short of
cornet players and called on me and
I suited him so am with them now.
He 10 one Of the best In the world and
sure 10 good on phrasing music. His
name Is Jacob Schmidt, probably you
have heard Of him. He believes In
putting on good classical music. The
band leader and several Of the band
boys are Masons.
The company am now In IL called
Headquarters Co., and there are more
Masons than other people 80 can re-
view on the work once In q while.
They put on some very good shows
down here at what is called the Stad-
ium, an open air theater. They sure
have same talented actors and come
disns. There Ia too much going on
for = fellow to get the blues at Camp
Cody.
There WAS . big fire In Deming and
nearly all the boys In camp were
down there. It's only about half
mile TO town. / was in quarantine
for about . month and couldn't 20
nywhere out Of Co. st.
Several Masons are taking the 32d
degree down here as several OF the Of
hcers such As lieutenants and captains
etc. are 32d degree Masons. From
what can hear the fees for army
men are reduced and you can pay by
the installment plan. 1 don't sup
pose you are very busy now - all the
brethren are haying.
We have had some good rains since
I came here but the moisture don't
last long. Sand storms are annoying
At times. We don't get many trout
to eat ~ I used to In Meeker. We
have good eats all the time Just the
same.
They have French and Enplish Of
ficers here to establish training
schools for the different branches of
service. While was at the casual
camp I saw a bayonet Eight which
WAS good and WAS put OH by an Eng
lish sergeAnt-msjor who has been
over the top five times. I don't see
how boche could get next TO him
for he 10 certainly active. He has
simple trick for every way . man
tackles him. With his instructions
the boys who are going lover there"
ought to be able to get tho kaiser's
goat.
When I was transferred to this Co.,
was sure surprised. Paul Wear was
located right back Of our tent and
didn't know l was. here till he heard
me tell one Of the boys where 1 was
from aud he raised up and says.
"Hello, old top" He was put In the
contact camp and I did not know
where to find him so now I can see
him :every day. I don't know just
where the rest Of the boys are now
for We were sure scattered when trans
ferred from casual camp.
This army life 10 good for man for
It learns fellow TO take care Of HIM
self and you can learn whole lot too.
They had quite . time here the
Fourth Of July. They had parade
which was grand. There was great
fire works display.
We have been wearing our gas
masks or rather carrying them for II
days and today 10 the last day for q
while. They pre- supposed to last for
Y hours In continuous use In battle.
They are disagreeable thing to wear
on your heads especially In this hot
country. Tho only shade trees We
have down here are the yucca plants.
Don't know when We will 20 to
France, but hope It will be soon.
Well, will have to close. Hoping
TO hear from you all,
PRIVATE w. VANCLEAvE,
Headquarters Co., 1s3rd Inf.