The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-08-30
WISCONSIN BOYS
TRAIN AT CAMP
State Sends SAT Lads to
Tri-State Citizens Sum-
mer Camp.
SET COST AT MILLION
Wisconsin. Illinois and Michi-
gan Send Only $500 to Camp
Custer for Training.

Camp Custer, Mich. - Three states
sent $500 city lads to the military
training camp here, but Michigan, IL
linois. and Wisconsin took back $500
rugged, bronzed and muscled teamlng
lads, fit for the rigors Of life.
That. in substance, tells the story
Of what the citizens military training
camp here did for those lads, who re-
sponded to the call of the government
for men to learn the rudiments of mil
itary training. Officers, instructors
and SPECIALISTS, connected with the ma
tional enterprise pronounced it one of
the most successful training encamp-
ments yet held.
The embryo soldiers, all between the
ages of 16 to 21-mostly high school
and college students were given in
tensive courses in military strategy,
but the health of these young men
never was overlooked. Each morning
morning the boys were up, going
through their prescribed courses of
setting up" exercises. Four consecu-
tive years of one months training
each year will mean commission as
reserve officer.
The quota of youths taken from the
three states was somewhat below ex-
pectations. Michigan sent only 418,
Wisconsin, CAT, and Illinois responded
with, 1907. This was a little more
than half the number expected from
the trio of states. But with this
nucleus, the officers here formed a
highly efficient army of citizens, due
to the fact the boys showed will
ingness to work and had an intense
interest in the training.
1t is estimated the training period
cost the government more than mil
lion dollars. A conservative estimate,
it was said placed the cost of car
ing for each lad at $40 day. Every
legitimate expense was provided for
them. Transportation to and from
their homes was paid, and while in
camp, the government furnished them
with clothing. They were lodged,
taught, trained, and even entertained
by the government: In event of sick
ness the soldier boy was placed in a
hospital where free medical attention
was afforded. Even their laundry was
done for them.
Camp Custer, named in honor of one
of Michigan's. illustrious war figures,
afforded splendid place for the de-
velopment of youths because of it's
fine rifle range, it's wide terrain suit
able for the operations of cavalry,
machine gun practice and artillery
maneuvers. 1t also has abundant
equipment for the training in the art
of warfare.
Government Provides Entertainment.
Entertainment was amply provided.
large, spacious theater, where pro-
fessional productions, as we'll as the
amateur farces played in by recruits
from the camp were held, was literal
ly damned each night of entertain
ment. The Hostess House, which of
fered the boys places to read, and
write, also was a rendezvous for them
The place was sometimes opened wide
for dances. Church services were held
each Sunday morning and on an av-
erage of 1000 student soldiers at
tended, according to Chaplain C. P.
Futcher.
Few sick leaves were necessary.
Several of the students were permit
ted to leave when business actually ne
cessitated their going. Others with
drew on requests from their parents,
and a few were called to service in
the National Guard. A very negligible
number were dismissed for insubor-
dination, according to officers.