The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-02-14
MANY TAKE OUT INSURANCE
Talks With Men in Army Show That
They Have Just One Desire and That
Is To Get to the Front and All Men
Are In Fine Spirits.

uOSC LIZ ID. bHluSA VI lEG SlICulb
Court, returned home Monday even
ing after spending fortnight with his
sons, Lieutenants Stanley and John
Belden, at Camp Custer at Battle
Creek, Mich.
Judge Belden has made careful
study of conditions at Camp Custer
and his report will be of greatest in
terest to the fathers and mothers of
Kenosha men who are with the
army there. 1t is a report that puts
at rest all runners that men are not
we'll cared for
Judge Belden speaks in highest
terms of Camp Custer and thinks it
must be among the best and most
healthful of all the environments. The
camp is located about five miles from
the city of Battle Creek and is readily
reached by interurban electric railway
and frequent motor bus and iitney
service. The camp is about five miles
long by half to three-quarters of mile
wide, crescent shaped, with the divi-
sional headquarters in the middle.
About twenty-five thousand soldiers
are presently quartered in the camp.
Recruits are coming in and trained men
leaving daily. Because Of the severe
winter and great quantity of snow, the
training has been greatly handicapped.
The camp is well located for drainage
into the Kalamazoo River, which runs
through the city of Battle Greek and
at the cage of the camp. There is
very little sickness in the camp and
the men are in the pink of physical
condition. They arise at 5:45 in the
morning and work steadily at drilling,
athletics, hiking, ETC., until 4:30 The
evenings are devoted to study, classes
of various sorts and recreation. The
Y. M. G. A. and K. Of G. buildings are
tainment every evening Every man
Intercepted upon the subject said the
camp would be a mighty lonesome place
if it were not for these institutions.
More than ninety-fve per cent of
the soldiers have taken the government
war insurance. The per capita amount
of insurance is the highest at Custer
of all the camps. The men are very
well housed. The buildings are roomy,
comfortable and we'll heated. Every
man has sufficient clothing and the
food is the best. The variety Of food
is extensive and the quantity unlimit-
ed. Every man has all lie wants,
Judge Belden talked with many
soldiers and among other questions
asked each if there is anything he
needs or wants that is not provided
and every man said:
"Not a thing, except to get to the
front and end this thing as soon as
can be; but we don It want it to end
until it ENDS right and in victory
for the allied cause. -
The spirit of the men is fine. They
are earnest, even enthusiastic about
their work, generally understand why
we are in the war and are determined
that the great principle for which we
are fighting shall prevail. The sink
ing Of the Tuseania OILY served to
make the men the more determined
Judge Belden talked with General
Parker, the commanding officer of the
camp, and with many other officers of
various rank, and they all, especially
the regular army officers, express as
tonishment and the utmost satisfaction
at the readiness with which the civil
ians from all walks Of life are trans
formed into efficient soldiers. It is
the American spirit and it is bound to
win. Judge Belden saw a number of
Kenosha boys and reports them all well.