Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 262, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1917 — Letter From Camp Taylor [ARTICLE]

Letter From Camp Taylor

The; following letter was written to the. Kentland Enterprise, by a sister of Mrs. Harry Hartley of Rensselaer:« Kentland Enterprise. Editor of Enterprise: You asked me to write for the Enterprise my impression of the things I saw on my visit to Camp Taylor last Sunday. I wish that it might have fallen to

some one else, for I am so full of admiration and enthusim over everything, that I am afraid I will be too effusive in my words of praise. But how any one with a drop of red blood in their veins could meet the thousands of boys in their splendid looking uniforms, see their wholesome looking faces, and remembering what it all stands for, could help being thrilled into exaggeration, is more than I can understand, especially if one among those thousands happens to be your “own boy.” I met every boy from Jefferson township but one or two, who were not in camp, and such a husky looking bunch as they were was certainly pleasing to see, each one having gained from five to ten pounds since leaving home. And if there was discontent or depression among them, it was most beautifully hidden that day. I was surprised at the splendid military bearing the boys had acquired in such a short time, and those who had been inclined to stooping shoulders, and a slouching walk, step right out in their No. 12’s puick, and eager, and consider a hike of seven or eight miles as just a little jaunt, and would come back ready to eat up the whole commissary department. When bunk times comes they are ready for it, and the only complaint I heard was that five-thirty comes earlier down there than any other place those boys had ever been. We were very sorry that some of the boys from neighboring towns had to be on duty and we were unable to see them, but the boys have learned “Theirs is not to ask the reason why, Theirs is but to do” or go to the guard house, and they fight shy of that. Each boy seems anxious to “do his bit” in the wonderful work of the camp, from stable duty on up the scale. They feel that there is no favoritism shown, but that it’s “efficiency” that counts. Every boy has his chance. If you would see our boys there would be no need to tell you that the food is wholesome, and plentiful, and their surroundings clean and healthful. A woman is not allowed to enter the barracks and I was very much disappointed as I was anxious to see if I could recognize my son’s “bunk” by the same conditions I very often found in his own room at home. On asking about it the answer was, “Nothing doing like that around this camp, every thing spick and span,” and he seemed very proud of the fact too. I thought what a wonderful easy time we mothers are going to have after this training is over. The shower baths connected with their barracks are splendid, an abundance of hot water, clean towels, etc. Just the day before we were there the boys had received two suits of heavy fleeced lined underclothing for the really cold weather, making five suits of different weight since going into camp, and they have socks in abundance. Great care is taken of their feet as they realize what it means in their work.

The Red Cross ladies were kind enough to give me the pleasure of carrying their donations of knitted goods to the, Jefferson township boys and the strongest way to express the toys* appreciation is to say that some of them were wearing the garments before I left camp. They afe doing everything they can for the boys’ amusement. We visited an immense theatre building that will be completed in another week, in which they will have the very best talent that can be obtained. They have football and all kinds of athletics to keep them entertained and in trim. The boys next took us into the Y. M. C. A. and I will confess that right there my enthusiasm knew no bounds, and I simply let loose in my appreciation of what had been done in sjich a short time, and with their limited means. I only wish I had the ability to impress upon those at home the wonderful good and satisfaction our boys are getting from the splendid equipment of the Y. M. C. A. of Company A> 309th .Engineers Co. There is a large assembly room fitted out -with seats, and with desks attached to the wall

where the boys may ■write their letters, with material furnished. At the end of this room is a stage with a piano, table, chairs, etc., and several times a week good speakers, good singers, and anything that is elevating is brought out to entertain the boys. They have all the latest magazines and papers, telephone and telegraph. Leading off from this larger hall is a more private reading room with a splendid looking fire place made of brick, and around that is where we' found “Bunnie” Gott, lost to the world in a good book. In this room is a Victrola and many records which the boys are priviledged to use at any time they may have. There is a time just between the evening mess and bunk time that is counted the “lonesome” time, and it is then they must find some amusement, some encouragement. In the large assembly room on Sundays and Wednesdays is where they are allowed to entertain their mothers and sweethearts, and it . was said the French officers that are visiting this country commented on the freedom of our women and girls visiting our camps, and that? such promiscuous mingling would not be tolerated in any of the foreign camps. “Perhaps not,” but I am

a proud to tell every mother that our American soldiers are not beasts, neither are they beastly, and that every American girl that has respect for herself is respected, and held in reverence in Camp Taylor as much as any other public place. Which is just another proof that our American men are the finest in the world. There are many other benefits the boys enjoy from the Y.M. C. A. and I beg of every one that reads this to help in this good work, help to make it the finest organization of its kind, for the benefits derived are more than food and clothing. I wish that every mother in Newton county wjho has a boy at Camp Taylor could visit him at some time, and could see the care and consideration of their health and welfare that is given them. Instead of regretting that her boy was there she would be proud that he could have a part in this wonderful work. You feel that there are, such terrible risks and chances. That is true, but there never was a great achievement without some great sacrifice, and we are now called on to meet it. I hope*. lam not lacking in maternal affection when I say I am glad that my boys want to be in the “Big fight” and if only in some small part they can do their “bit” and share in a splendid victory I shall be proud, and even if they suffer some affliction it will be easier to bear it than to try to explain to their children in coming country had such urgent need of years why they didn’t go when their them. . .

Mrs. R. C. McCain.