Postless Boxing Ring Makes Debut at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico

A new wrinkle, the postless ring for boxers, has made its debut in Camp Cody, the first sample having been set to the division athletic office by Dr. Joseph Raycroft, war department athletic director for the United States. The rope was particularly designed for use in the training camps and possesses the beauty, from the training camp standpoint, that it can be set up anywhere. Tommy Connolly, division boxing instructor, is enthusiastic over it.

The ring consists of a padded rope, similar to those in common use wherever boxing is done. Instead of posts, it is provided with four loops at the corners, sufficiently large to allow a man slipping one over his body. Thus four men, instead of posts, hold the rope taut while the boxers are milling inside it.

The ring can be set up in any company street and every company in the camp can be provided with one. By means of it, when men put on the gloves, plenty of room is left for the combatants to wage their battle without any crowding or outside interference, to bad features thus eliminated.

Connolly will boost for the purchase of a number of the postless rings, so that there will be several to a regiment. Each ring will cost no more than $5 at the most. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Tuesday, May 21, 1918

Boxing Match At The Camp Cody Stadium

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Show Being Held In Open at Camp Cody in Deming, NM

General Provides Open Air Entertainment For Men In The Stadium

The commanding general is providing, through the army, the Y. M. C. A., K. of C. and welfare workers, high entertainment at the open air division stadium every night in the week.

In addition to the Knights of Columbus movies Monday night, he invited Miss Seymour’s ukulele club, consisting of ten people, to appear in several selections.

As a surprise, Miss Helen Swope, daughter of Captain S. D. Swope, M. C., who is on duty in France, also appeared.

General and Mrs. Lindsey and Mrs. Lindsey’s house guest, Miss Bobbie Seamans, of Palo Alto, California together with the general’s aide de camp, Lieutenant R. Y. Copelin, and several members of his staff, enjoyed the program.

The general contemplates continuing these outdoor meetings during November and December. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Tuesday, November 5, 1918

Outdoor Movie Theater – Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico

Privileges of Camp Cody Men are Curtailed by New Regulation

By virtue of a memorandum order issued from headquarters of the 34th division, commanding officers of organizations were instructed to curtail the privileges of enlisted men sleeping out of the camp to the same basis as the officers; they will not be allowed to sleep at the homes in the town more than two nights out of each week, the other five having to be spent in camp. However, the enlisted men were granted a little more latitude than is granted the officers, as the order says it is not to be interpreted as doing away with the existing pass privileges up to 11 o’clock at night, when not involving absence from duty. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Monday, April 1, 1918

What Deming Looked Like During WW1

6113 Drafted Men Arrive at Camp Cody, NM

Captain Delos Walker, head of the 34th division personnel office, stated on Monday morning that at 6 pm Sunday there had arrived in camp 6113 of the 7063 draft men who were to come here; also, that they were continuing to straggle in. From different states those in stood as follows: Arizona, 1248 men; New Mexico, 853; Colorado, 1805, and from Texas, 2207.

On Sunday Major E. S. Bullock and his corps of surgeons made a record in making the necessary medical examination of 1800 men. Major Bullock stated that he had not kept the exact figures on the men given their surgeons’ certificate of disability, but that he did not think the total would be more than 5 per cent, which he considered a good showing. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Tuesday, June 4, 1918

“Sandstorm Division” May Be New Name for Camp Cody’s Thirty-Fourth

The name “Sunshine” having been preempted, Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Raymong, chief of staff of the 34th division, has suggested the name of “Sandstorm” be attached to it. This suggestion, embodied in a memorandum issued Friday, will be voted on by the division. The memorandum, which gives the reasons for the name, follows:

“It is necessary to find a new name for this division, as the term “Sunshine” has been per-empted. For an effective appellation and one, at the same time, that shall be always reminiscent of our stay in Deming, it has been suggested that we call ourselves “The Sandstorm Division.”

“While the new name will always remind us of some of the most persistent climatic peculiarities of Camp Cody, it is not to any facetious suggestions the term “sandstorm” may inspire that your attention is directed. There is the persistence of the sandstorm, its power, its overwhelming nature. When it arises in its might, even the most violent of men are subdued and seek shelter.

“All, too, know the potency of the sandblast. Before it the most obdurate of substances give way. It will back its way into the heart of the most resisting of metal.

“The Sandstorm Division” – the term furnishes a fitting and effective allegory of all that the 34th division aspires to be. Shall the term be adopted? You are requested to turn in your answers, Yes or No, to these headquarters before 4 pm. Saturday, April 20, 1918. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Sunday, April 21, 1918

The Sandstorm Division

Col. Elliott M. Norton now commanding Camp Cody’s 387th Infantry

Colonel Elliott M. Norton, former commander of the sixth infantry, fifth division overseas, is now commanding the 387th Infantry.

For six months Col. Norton had an intimate relationship with the real fighting game, a portion of the time in the St. Miheil sector, Montfancon, Cunel Romange, etc. He has been in the regular army since 1900 and has served in the Philippines many times, a part of time with General Pershing.

The 387th has scored 100 percent four consecutive weeks. Twice it was “cited for unusual bravery in action” by being counted the best in camp.

Men who have been drilling two weeks in the 387th look like men of two month’s service. They have punch and pep. – Deming Graphic Newspaper – November 29, 1918

Army Truck at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico

Camp Cody 388th Supply Company Get New Commander

Captain Cady, the new commander of the 388th supply company, led company E, 104th infantry, 26th division, the New Englanders who did valiant service overseas. He saw many companions shot down near him but escaped bullets, blasting shell and gas. For eight months he was on the fighting line.

Captain Cady was with Pershing in Mexico and is personally acquainted with many New Mexico officers having come to the border with the Massachusetts troops. – Deming Graphic Newspaper – November 29, 1918

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Storm Stops Camp Cody Track Meet

The 34th division athletic field and track meet, programmed to take place on the grounds at the division exchanged theater Saturday afternoon had to be postponed on account of a terrific sandstorm, which prevented anything like sport. The meet is set down for next Saturday afternoon, commencing at 2 o’clock. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Monday, May 27, 1918

Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico – WW1

Troops Leaving Camp Cody at Rate of 500 Daily

Two troop trains are leaving Deming, New Mexico, daily, containing discharged soldiers, the ticket office there showing a daily sale of over 500 tickets, according to Garnett King, chairman of the El Paso passenger traffic committee. The government is furnishing individual transportation to all those soldiers living west of a line through Fort Worth, Des Moines, Ia., and to Minnesota. Men living east of that line are being sent to Fort Worth and Des Moines and demobilized there.

The federal authorities intend to demobilize most of the troops at Camp Cody, but the headquarters organization, the military police and the remount depot will be held until the last. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – December 10, 1918

Camp Cody – Mimbres Valley

Thompson Finishes Work on Big Contract At Camp Cody

J. W. Thompson, contractor, who for several months has been putting in big improvements in Camp Cody, has practically completed the work and the office force is now finishing its work. It is said that the work under the Thompson contract this time cost well over $1,750,000.

Among the principal items were a sewer system costing about $550,000; increasing and improving the water system, over $40,000, and installing ranges in kitchens for the new 97th division, which was to have been trained there if the war had continued as was expected, over $40,000.

Then there were bath houses with cement floors and with hot water equipment, and the like, considerable building, and other construction work. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Monday, December 2, 1918

Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico

Camp Cody Soldiers Saved Deming From Big Fire

Mayor Hamilton Sends An Official Letter of Thanks to General Johnston

Major R. F. Hamilton, of Deming, has sent the following letter to Brig. General John A. Johnston, commander of Camp Cody.

“Dear Sir: I am directed by the board of trustees of Deming to thank the officers and men of your division through you for the assistance rendered to our fire department and the people of Deming at Thursday’s fire.”

“The board of trustees, members of the fire department and the people of Deming are unanimous in their expressions of praise and gratitude for the inestimable services of the members of the 34th division, which alone made it possible to confine the fire within the area in which it was held and thereby prevented a conflagration which would have consumed practically all of the business section, perhaps even including the government warehouses in the east end of Camp Cody”.

“Permit me also to convey to you the admiration of the people of Deming for the men during the fire, for the courageous manner in which they went into hazardous places and to express the opinion that if the “Sandstorm” division displays the same courage, enthusiasm and singleness of purpose when it is called into action overseas, and we feel confident it will, it will give its officers and the whole country every reason to be proud of it.”

“Expressing the desire of the people of this community to be of assistance to you in every way, and that you may not hesitate to call upon us at any time should occasion demand, I am very respectfully yours. (Signed) R. F. Hamilton, Mayor”

The Deming Public Library association has sent a letter of appreciation to Major H. M. Nelly, adjutant of the 34th division for the help of the soldiers in saving all the library books and building. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – July 15, 1918

Cody Theatre Fire – Deming, New Mexico – July 1918