The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-07-04
Blackfoot Cavalry
Makes Good Show
ing at Encampment

1
Republican, but now with the Gil
ham Advertising company of Boise
after he had seen the boys of troo]
B in camp:
| A visitor at the Boise barracks an,
one of these brisk June days will Sc,
more than a lot of citizen soldier
with newly tanned faces. tTe viii
see a well organized squadron o
cavalry composed of neighbors anS
friends having a perfectly good time
If the visitor has ever bean in thu
service himself he will remember tht
more cheerful aspects of camp life
the healthy outdoor fun and the init
mate comradery of sincere and out
right men.
The men of these troops who ar,
getting ready for the first line Of
defense in case the nation gets into
trouble any time again form a truly
democratic mixture. They range from
school boys getting their first taste
Of military training to veteran ser.
vice men who have served in two
wars.
And then there are business and
professional men who have put on
the khaki to show that they can still
be boys" and are not too old or too
proud to fight in the ranks in case
Of national need.
Sprinkled thruout the organiza-
ton are eX-service men of the late
big war whose recent training gives
a splendid basis for snappy military
results at the encampment.
A few of the old-time guardsmen,
like war horses, have returned to the
part-time service, unable to resist
the spirit of the Idaho guard. All in
all the squadron has a proper mill
tary bearing.
The unit from Blackfoot, B-troop
in cavalry parlance, has the advant-
age Of a good bracing of men who
have previously had military train
ing. This troop distinguished itself
from the opening day of the en-
campment by soldier-like efficiency.
For the first three days the inspect
ing officer of the camp gave B-troop
perfect mark for orderliness and
cleanliness. The troop is COM
manded by Captain W. G. Allen, a
former Idaho guardsman who was
commissioned in the service during
the war with Germany. Also the
"top kick" first sergeant) of this
troop, Sgt. Richard Stevens, served
several bitches in the old Idaho
guard, and one in the last war.
The personnel of the troop is in
teresting. Had the visitor above al
luded to made his approach to the
quarters of B-troop at or about 6
O'Clock of Thursday evening, he
would have found everybody in close
proximity to the mess tent. Supper
had just been served. Officers and
men were there, giving undivided at
tention to the savory contents of we'll
heaped mess-kits.
A hardened tx. P" who had Just
finished serving the mess had turned
to the evening job of securing the big
kettles and pans, singing that we'll
known plasm of soldiery which be-
gins with the lines:
'I'm in the army now
I'm not behind the pillow"
We're our visitor from Blackfoot,
accidentally, he might have got a
real kick out Of his second look at
this happy-go-lucky X. p, for in him
he would have recognized one of
that city's prominent physicians, DR..
H. ]. Simmons, who was a 'medico"
in the late war. Nobody in camp is
having a more complete good time
than doc" Simmons.
There approaches now a tired and
dusty trooper with an empty mess
kit. He has very evidently just come
from riding in the long parade down
town. He looks as the visitor
lmagines one would feel after having
ridden Sahara camel over the
desert sands all day. He favors his
back, he favors first one leg, then
the other. But with friendly smile |
which wins the cooperation of the
K. p, who is the source of the food
supply, he declares in all cheerful
ness, II can't ride, can't walk, |
can't sit down and feel right. I'm
Ill in
Any of the folks from Blackfoot |
would instantly recognize M. N.
Austin, their well-known florist, who
las abandoned his cabbage plants
md flower bulbs to their fate while
he has the time of his life Che adj
nits it, as one of Uncle Sans
ROPER boys.
After goodly supper Mr.. Austin
night have been seen sitting on his
amp bed, shaving in the twilight
With tears in his eyes as the merci-
ess saety razor lacerated that sun
made complexion, the results of the
irst three days.
The BlackfOot troop is showing up
veil in the care Of horses at the
tables, as we'll as in drill, having for
table sergeant former Utah
avalryman, Sgt. Fred Vogt, now OF
3lackfoot.
One officer who has been particu-
arly impressed by the bearing of B.
roop on the encampment recently
las declared 1t to be the best trained
military unit in the state.
The field meet was held Saturday
nd the boys from Blackfoot took
econd place. Following are the
vents participated in by B troop and
he winners: One hundred yard
ash, Landson, headquarters troop
irst; Sgt. Brill B troop second; VIII
lams, headquarters, third; time
O is. RELAY raca r troon frs+. n