The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-09-26
LIFE At CAMP Pike
FRED BRUBAkER TELLS LADIES
AID ABOUT DETAILS.

the mothers know what was going on.
In the following letter which is pub
Iished, that all the members of the
Fairvew Aid and the members of
other soldier Aid organizations may
read and know, Fred comes near max
ing one see the camp life in progress.
Camp Pike. Ark.
Sept. 10, 1918.
Fairview Aid Society:--It is easier
to write TO all OF you at once than to
write to each one separately.
The Mahaska county boys were
separated when we first arrived, and
then were transferred, according to
their occupation, until they are now
scattered all over the camp. There
are several of Them in Company e,
among them Forrest Brown of FIRE.
mont, Earl Ellis of Rose Hill, Brumley
! of Bussey, Bob Hardness, George Fox
and Francis Hull of Oskolaosa. John
Boyd of Fremont was in the company,
lbut was transferred to the Non-Com
officers school along with about
twenty-five others from this company
We did not drill much until we got
! into regular company and got our
rifles. A bunch of new lieutenants
came here last, week. Ten were as.
signed to this compiny. We drill
from seven to eleven-thirty. The af'
ternoon is spent mostly at school OF
different subjects, such as courtesy
ODE dience, care of the wounded, and
-. 10 nd mn
geants go out at one 10 drill on the
afternoons work, and the rest of us
90 at 2:15. .rs.sE ..
We have inspection every Saturday
morning, and in the afternoon we are
at liberty unless on detail work OF
some kind.
| weighed 124 pounds when l was
examined just after we came here
Was weighed the other day, and
weighed 142. We get all the good
grub We want to eat. so no wonder 80
iare getting fat. The meals are serv
ed cafeteria style, and if we..don't get
enough the first trip, we go back. We
have ice cream and cake for Sunday
dinner Butter is served once a
day, sugar is in the coffee, and we
have cream for breakfast food.
We will all know how to keep house
when we get back, as We do every
timing housewife does.
One day we went out to the range
and the next day about eighty were
sent out to set targets for other com
!ranies 1t rained all the first day, Bat
that made no difference Most OF
the fellows took rain coats, but had
to take them off while shooting.
.. This country is rocky and hilly
and has lots of timber The build
ings at camp are similar to those al
Camp Dodge, but there are more OF
them. The mule barns now are used
for barracks. There are Y. NJ. c. A.
and Knights of Columbus halls all
over the camp. They are filled ur
every evening with boys,-some writ
ing, and some reading. Almost ev,
cry night there is an entertainment
of some kind There are church ser
vices at the "Y." every Sunday morn
ing and evening.
was appointed orderly for Major
Downing Friday evening, and do not
have 10 go out to drill all the time
| make his bed every morning, sweep
and scrub his room, and take care OF
his horse. If he does not use the
horse, exercise, him for couple O.
hours in the afternoon. 1t seems
kind of natural to ride a horse again
And get to see the camp much cas-
Ter than by walking '..... ''' ,
September 10.
| just came back from taking the
Majors horse out to him. He is a
nice quiet kind of fellow Never
has much to say.
When the chaplain started his ser
mon last Sunday evening, | got the
impression thawhe is from Iowa He
said the worsjitown in Iowa is better
than the bestiDfown in Arkansas. "
There sure bwas'a roar and cheer
when he said that. You could tell
where most of the boys were from.
There have been several cases of
mumTs recently in the company. They
are taken to the hospital for about
two weeks. Yesterday mornin:
among those who were taken wa!
Forrest Brown of Fremont | hated
to see him go as he was my bunk
mate, and was in my squad.
/ Sunday p M.
J We are not supposed to leave the
barracks today We had a big time
last night They had some extra
money so made use of it, For sup.
per we had cold boiled ham, sweet
lpotatoes, dressing, pickles, celery,
salmon salad, ice cream and cake,
oranges, peaches, apples and smokes.
The commanding officer made short
talk and then there was music and
boxing. Finished by singing the
Star Spangled Banner.
Just now we are learning TO make
up our packs. A pack consists of
blanket, pair of trousers, shirts, un.
derwear, socks, shaving outfit, brush
and comb. tooth brush and paste, two
towels, and little other stuff If you
want to bother with it.
There were several visitors around
on Sunday, and some from Iowa.
One place haven't mentioned yet