The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1918-06-13
FROM CAMP DODGE

Did After They
Arrived.
Camp Dodge, Iowa,
June g, 1918.
| Editor The Times:
In pursuance to your request, take
pleasure in writing to you concerning
our trip out here and the camp.
At Independence we picked up the
last bunch of men, who were waiting
in two coaches. This addition COM
pleted the Missouri contingent, seven
hundred men being comfortably dis
tributed in fourteen coaches. We
reached Kansas City a little after
midnight, and after waiting about
twenty minutes, started out over the
Rock Island. Our next important
stop was at Trenton, Mo-, where
box breakfast was served us. You
can imagine how swiftly the "eats"
disappeared. At 7:3o we resumed our
journey, continuing until Des Moines
was reached. 1t was now about 2:3o
in the afternoon. We were met by
an army officer who formed us in
column, four abreast. Then we were
conducted to the interurban depot,
where we were again entrained for
Fl. Dodge, arriving about 4 o'clock.
Again being formed into line we
marched to the mastering station,
where we "signed up" After going
through this building, we were ush-
cred outside and lined up according
to our various professions. I do not
see why this should be an important
proceeding, as some of those who had
previously worked inside were as
signed to heavy service, and vice
| versa. Of course, we are only tenn
porarily attached to the various COM
panies we now grace" Without
doubt some of us will be assigned to
other companies in different kne OF
service, probably as soon as the Off
Gals get proper Zine" on us. Some
already have been transferred to fill
vacancies in other camps. One from
this squad room left for Georgia this
morning After bunch was lined up
it was taken in large army trucks to
various company barracks, where the
men were issued mess kits and two
comforts then assigned to hunks. By
this time. approximately six O'Clock,
we again formed line and marched,
equipped with our mess kits, to the
mess hall After supper we swept the
squad room and at 9 o'clock went to
sleep, for which we were very gate
jul, as we had had no sleep for twen-
tyfour hours.
The following morning we arose at
5:45. assembled outside, and had roll
call, after which we policed the
grounds. BY ttis is meant that we
cleaned up-picking up every match
or straw, then sweeping the ground.
Cleanliness is strictly enforced, not
only outside but inside. Every pre-
caution is taken to safeguard the
health of each soldier. Fresh air is
considered vitality essential, and no
one is allowed to sit on the ground.
After breakfast we were given the
first rudiments of drilling, and many
were the funny didos cut by the re-
crrits. Thence on till Saturday we
had drilling, interspersed with Eng
lish and psychological tests (some-
thing like the usual school "quizzesD
the signing of numerous blank forms,
lectures, etc.
Saturday we were marched over to
the company infirmary, and were vac
cinated and given our first Shot in
the shoulder. Since then we have re-
ceived our second shot and many
were re-vaccinated. This shot"
(meaning an injection of some kind of
serum, innoculating the subject
against typhoid fever) makes some
slightly sick, real or imaginary, but
for the majority it only causes
soreness at the place of injection,
which lasts about three days. The
second shot was larger than the
first, and the third will be larger than
the second. There are only three, and
are given Saturday mornings so we
can have the afternoons and Sunday
to "convalesce.
Last Wednesday was physical ex-
animation day. 1t seems strange, but
the officials seemed to take it for
granted we would all pass, as our in
surance was previously written up
and we were measured. for uniforms.
However, after the examination it
was seen that such proceeding was
not so great hazard as it might first
seem, as out of $50 only about fifteen
were turned down. 1t is not known
now whether or not they will be sent
home. So far they have been doing
fatigue" duty Gust plain work. 1t
may be they will be kept for that kind
of work, since they cannot stand
marching for any length of time. The
examination consumed about one
hour for each man, doctor for every
suspected ailment. Also at this time
a print Of every finger was taken and
prominent scars recorded. The SUBJ
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