Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1918 — FINE WEATHER IN THE SOUTH [ARTICLE]

FINE WEATHER IN THE SOUTH

G. M. Babcock Whites Interesting Letter From Sfa Antonio. Lesley Miller of the Democrat force received a letter yesterday morning, written March 4, from George M. Babcock at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, in which some extracts may be of general interest. He says: Things here are slipping along in the usual routine manner with nothing exciting taking place. t We are merely living a very easy life with nothing to worry us. During the last few days there have been several rumors to the effect that we are' soon to leave here for some other point, but we are unable to get any official statement regarding a move. However, at reveille this morning we were told to be ready to take a tubercular examination at 7:30. This examination, so I understand, is the final physical examination given here before a squadron leaves. While this is said to be a permanent headquarters squadron, it is possible the examination was ordered to determine the number of “lungers’* the government had in its offices on this field and will not necessarily mean that we are going across, although the different examining officers asked several of the fellows this morning if they knew they were going across. You can see how conflicting everything is here and how hard it is to get a straight tip on anything. In the meantime we are enjoying good eats, plenty of sleep and a regular vacation so far as work

is concerned. We can go to town any day after 4 p. m., except Sunday, when we are allowed to go shortly after 9 a. m. I went in yesterday forenoon, and last evening again met Stanley Brusnahan from Parr. We took in the Majestic vaudeville performance, and while there a bunch of his friends came in from the arsenal and told him that moving orders had been received. After the show we went to the arsenal and Brusnahan found out he was to go to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, and expected he would leave for that place this afternoon. It is wonderful the way the fellows are moved from one place to another on such slight notice. Brusnahan was located right _ downtown, only four blocks from Houston street, the main thoroughfare. I spent the greater part of this morning attempting to better the appearance of our palm garden by constructing ciircles of stones about the base of each plant. We expect to get a load of dornjeks soon and will try our hand at making various symbols in the garden pertaining to our squadron and service. I’ll tell you. Miller, this outside living is the best thing I have ever been up against. We practically live outside and enjoy it immensely. We certainly have had a very mild winter here. During the past few days we have had some rainy weather, and the grass is coming up by jumps. Also the birds are much pleased with weather conditions and their singing is as much enjoyed here now by us as it will be in the northern states in a few weeks. The airplanes are having a rather difficult time these rainy days maintaining the required number of flying hours per day, but they surely turn out industriously whenever the weather clears sufficiently to permit flying with any degree of safety.