The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-11-21

will return to the city at an early
date, inasmuch as the 100000 SOL
dlers in the various training camps
and environments in this country are
soon to be given an opportunity to
return. The letter which follows, will
be read with considerable interest by
Mr.. Lesk's many friends:
l have had some great experiences
since l landed, which will linger in my
memory for some time to come. The
greatest Of all was the physical ex-
animation. Said exam. consisted in
standing around for about seven or
eight hours, without stitch on, ex-
cept for blanket now and then, and
but at no time consulted. They vac
cinated, innoculated and almost assas-
sinated 500 Of US without blinking an
eye. And it was some relief when I
finally arrived at a gate marked
Way to Berlin" and was informed
that had passed 0. X. and would be
issued Uncle Sans latest style suit.
About one-third were rejected, some
fine looking fellows among them,
while / admired the nerve of some in
even trying.
The Jewish boys, who are the king
pins in the 9. NJ. Dept. are great. Say,
the way they issue and sling out the
clothing makes you sit up and take
notice. They seem to take fiendish
delight in giving you as good a misfit
as possible, and then watch the results
in great glee. You have to fight for
your rights every inch Of the way, and
if you don't you're s. o. !. Gas we SOL
diers say.) They gave me coat that
was at least two sizes too large for
Dank, and had some pretty fight be-
fore got them to exchange it for one
that was only about sizes too large
My shoes are caution, and l can ac-
tually take two steps without moving
my shoes. Haven't had chance yet
to get peek at myself in a mirror,
but I'll bet i'm some pretty looking
rookie.
l am simply in love with the snap
and ginger, as we'll as the organiza-
ton Half of the time you don't walk,
you run. "Shake Leg" is the slogan
and if you're late at the mess table
why you simply take what's left, as
Stunning there was something to start
with in the first place. We were on
emergency rations the first two days,
my first supper Sunday consisting of
two boiled potatoes, a slice of bread,
some jam, and a cup of water. How
ever, it has kept on improving, and it
is really good at present with pros
poets for better yet.
We really suffered hardships to COM
mence with. The nights are cold, and
an army cot, without pillow, no bed
ding and only two blankets, one on
top and one underneath, is not much
protection. Had no trouble getting
up at 5:45 Monday morning for rev.
lille. In fact had been up most of the
night hoping, watching and praying
for the call SO l could get up and run
|around the block to get my blood cir
culating. Am in a tent with four
National Army men, and their atti-
tude toward me is somewhat puzzling.
However, we like each other better ~
We get acquainted. They are splen-
did fellows, and ready and willing to
answer the thousand and one questions
that fool civilian insists on asking.
Here is one that tickeled me: One
of my co-religionists was being exam
ined by the draft board, and he claim
ed exemptions on account Of physical
disa Jility. On being asked what was
the matter with him, he answered.:
II amt got no CUTS"