The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-01-08
BUILDING A CAMP
MEN AND MATERIALS USED IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF CAMP
JOHNSTON, FLORIDA.
(By Walter r. Early

A. Bentley & Sons company, of To-
ledo, o., who are constructing the
cantonment at Camp Joseph f. John
ston, near Jacksonville. Fla, have
about 95 per cent finished their
work.
Black Point, the site, was a beau
tiful park that was decided to the
state of Florida for a state camp
grounds and is mostly covered with
a dense growth of tropical trees.
Great swamps had to be overcome
and the lands drained, and within a
total Of 49 working days, we see a
wonder city.
The plans provided for 56S build
ings, 4S,O16 feet of water line, A.
269 feet of sewer construction, three
pumping stations, four storage tanks
with a capacity of 1000 gallons,
three miles of standard gauge rail-
road, II miles of pole lines, five miles
OF streets, roads and six miles of
fences.
Twenty-one million feet of lumber
IA required, which was used at the
rate OF 100000 cubic feet per day
while construction vas at its height.
Material arrived at the rate of so
freight ears a day. which had to be
unloaded and the empties returned
to the transportation companies the
same day.
There has been used a total of ST.
900 pounds of nails, quite enough
nails to build the young city that will
house something like 10000 men
from the other camps.
T~wenty-six thousand posts were
set for foundations, while il took
1900, 900 squares of roofing to cov-
er them. Forty thousand window
sashes were used and 5000 doors.
One hundred and seventy-one miles
Of electric light wire was used. This
will carry the electricity to furnish
lighting for $4,000 globes, represent
ing approximately 100000 candle
power.
Twenty portable saw mills were
used to cut lumber to proper lengths,
saving an inestimable amount of
time for the workmen. To distribute
the lumber after cutting, seven and
three-fourths miles of portable rail
road vas built, which did the work
of 75 teams and perhaps $50 men.
Yet there were TAG horses and mules
used for hauling materials.
The largest number of men en-
ployed at any one time was S,445,
which included carpenters, plumbers,
electricians. masons, laborers, cooks,
walters, sanitary forces, hospital and
clubhouse employees, most Of whom
are the heads OF families. There
was paid in wages approximately
$1,623,000.
The Bentley company chartered
two steamships that carried 1900
men at a trip. There were required
$500 men each week to maintain an
average of $500 at work On account
of the shifting among men.
A big item at this camp was that
Of the 47,269 feet of sewer excava
ton, IS per cent required sheeting on
account of the sandy soil. This is
an item that Is not troublesome in
localities where there is not so much
sand.
During the 40 working days be-
tween October 6 and December /,
there were transported a total of
321,100 men from the city and re-
turned, divided as follows. $500 by
boat, 1880 by shuttle train and
$1,000 by automobiles and buses.
1t required an average of 2,433 beds
each night.
The camp mess halls served an av-
erage of $500 meals each day and in
keeping with the request of Food
Commissioner Hoover. introduced a
meatless Tuesday that was met with
by the men with a spirit Of patri-
otism.
Twenty-Five men were required to
distribute ice water and a plentiful
supply had to be always or hand. In
this department were eight physi-
clans, including surgeons in the gov
eminent employ.
There were two automobile pump
ers, 16 bose reels and $50 fire ex-
tinguishers, under the direction of a
trained chief and staff of firemen
who have had years of experience in
fire departments of various cities.
During the course of construction
there were employed in the various
departments 3,707 carpenters. 23S
plumbers, 230 electricians, As tin
ners. As masons. 2.357 laborers, 148
cooks and walters and 113 men in
the sanitary department.
Subscribe for The Daily Leader
and get the news.