Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 258, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1916 — PROVES TO BE SOME DUCK HUNTER [ARTICLE]

PROVES TO BE SOME DUCK HUNTER

Major Healey and Others Go Duck Hunting at Lake—Returned to Camp* With 102. Llano Grande, Tex., - Oct. 23, 1915. The Republican: Soldiering was varied a trifle Saturday and Sunday when several others accompanied me to Lake Campaquas, 3 miles from our camp, to spend the two days hunting and fisb--1 in,g. Within a half hour after we had arrived in the camp we were out in the lake in boats and a half hour later we were returning with 102 ducks. We were so elated that we sent the ducks back to camp and sent to Mercedes for several boxes of shells up at o o’clock the next morning to resume the slaughter, but during the night almost all the ducks had left and we only got a dozen more. We had a fine experience, however, and today we learned that the ducks were thick on the lake again. A month later, it is said, there will be countless thousands on the many small lakes hereabouts and it seems that every soldier is sending back home for a shotgun. The deer season begins Nov. Ist and many are planning for hunting leave. Lieut. Jerry B. Garland retains the title of national pistol champion, havrrtg for the' second time worn- that match at Jacksonville, Fla. We are planning to give him a banquet upon his return to camp. He also won second place in a rapid fire rifle match. \ The first place was also won by a member of the Third Indiana infantry, which gives us a good deal of pride, as there were over'6oo entries. The- Indiana pistol team klso won second place in the national team match. Garland’s prize money will be large this year. Last week was devoted to company tests and the Monticello company was the highest in the battalion and probably in the regiment. Rensselaer was second, which was a fine showing considering the fact that Lieut. Garland was away all the time and Capt. Tuteur part of the time. Tomorrow the battalion tests start. My problem takes place Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday I am assigned one of the judges in the first regiment. Next week we have regimental problems, the following week brigade problems and the next week is set apart for a division problem. Today we had oui first division march, a distance of about 7 miles. It was through the town of Mercedes and back on another road and not a man fell out of our regiment. We were quite proud ol the fact. Last week in the company tests there was a practice march of four miles. It was under assumed tactical conditions and Capt. Tuteur •led his company over the course in 50 minutes but lost six men. Capt. Cray with the Monticello company covered the distance in 54 minutes and did not lose a man. The men all carried rifles, ammunition belts and full field packs. That is certainly going some beneath this tropical sun and it shows what training has accomplished. We have some chilly weather down here when the “northers” hit us. One day last week my thermometer registered 103 in the shade and -that night a “norther” came and the next morning.it was 54, a fall of 49 degrees. My but it is shivery on such occasions and the soldiers’teeth .chatter when they are routed out for reveille at 5:30 a. m. Overcoats and sweaters were issued just before the storm and even these did not keep many warm. —A band is being organized and we hope to have some music before long. If there are any musicians in Rensselaer or adjoinnig towns who want to take advantage of a master’s instruction in band music, their enlistments will be welcomed. A band consists of 28 pieces and within the regiment there are not quite that number. Residents here say that the winters here are delightful and quite a number o£ officers are having their families cofhe down, but rents in Mercedes are almost prohibitive. Over at McAllen, where, the millionaire Seventh New York is stationed, it is reported one officer pays SSOO per month for his house. In Mercedes the rate is from $lO to sls per room. - Prof. Fairfield, of Angola, the republican candidate for congress in the 12th Indiana district, and wife, arrived, here today. His son is a member of the Third Indiana hospital detachment and has been very sick. Some kidney trouble is responsible. The lad is 21 years of age and his father is the vice-president of the TriState college at Angola* His opponent and the present member of congress from the 12th district is Tom Clyne, but Prof. Fairfield says he j will be one of several republicans to ' keep Will R. Wood company the com-

ing term of congress. Well, I must close or I might get in a mood to .talk politics and we soldiers are ’ restricted from doing this. However, we hear quite a little of politics down here and the indications are favorable to republican success both in Indiana and the nation. =— '. ~. TZi Will write when something interesting occurs.

MAJ. GEORGE H. HEALEY.