Seventh Nebraska Troops May Come to Camp Cody

There appears to be a possibility of the Seventh Nebraska infantry, which has been recruited, or very nearly so, in that state, being sent here; not as such an organization but its men as individuals, to help fill out the 34th division to full war strength. It is understood that the war department is willing to allow the men of this new regiment to come here if they are willing to come as individuals and be distributed among the military units here. So far the matter seems to stand as undecided. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Wednesday, January 23, 1918

4th Nebraska And 3rd Minnesota Area at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico

Service Cars Stop Running at Camp Cody

Order Reducing Fares Makes Soldiers Walk on Monday, With Prospect of Further Hikes in Future; More Than 200 Drivers Put Cars in Cold Storage; One Operator Arrested.

Monday was automobile-less day at Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico, with the prospect that it was merely the first of a number of the same kind of days. For the first time since the camp was established there were practically no service cars plying between Deming and the camp. Several thousand soldiers who came to tow had to walk in ad walk back, for cars were not to be had at any price.

The reason for the new state of affairs is the order promulgated last week by military authorities that beginning April 1 no service car driver would be allowed to charged more than 15 cents for taking a passenger to or from the camp. The price has been 25 cents, and rather that stand for the decrease the more than200 service car drivers, almost unanimously, refused to operate their cars.

Not more than a dozen service cars entered the camp during the day, and most of there were small cars, the owners of which are willing to take a chance on making money at 15 cents rather than give up the business. However, even they were few and far between. Military authorities believed that with the approach of night, when the soldiers come to town by the hundreds, and every driver would be sure of capacity loads, the striking drivers would give in. Soldiers had to walk to town from as far away as Yucca avenue, a distance of five miles being unable to find any service cars.

At present both sides are playing a waiting game, the military authorities feeling confident that enough drivers will resume operations to handle the traffic, and the men equally confident that the authorities will have to rescind the new order in order to secure enough cars to take care of the business. The authorities say that 200 cars are many more than the traffic justifies and that when the number is decreased the ones at remain will be able to operate on the 15 cent basis, due to the increased patronage. The owners say they can’t make money at 15 cents eve with a capacity business, as the rush last only an hour or two at night when the men come to town and return.

Although there is considerable feeling among the drivers there were few breaches of the peace Monday. One driver who refused to operate his car was arrested on the charge of trying to obstruct traffic. It being alleged that he interfered with a driver who was carrying soldiers. The first driver who reached town with a load of soldiers Monday evening was set upon and beaten by a striking driver, following an argument.

A company which operates a bus line into the camp is doing a capacity business and it is reported other buses will be added. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Wednesday, April 3, 1918

Jitney Drivers

Sergeant Arthur Bogen Marries Miss Kraegie

Sergeant Arthur Bogen, of the 109th sanitary train, and Miss Leonie Kraegie of Sioux City, Iowa, were married in the chapel of the Knights of Columbus hall on Tuesday morning by Lieut. J. J. Martin, chaplain of the 109th ammunition train. The groom was formerly a resident of Le Mars, Iowa. The witnesses were Leroy J. Murphy, secretary of the Knights of Columbus hall, and Sergeant Edwin Held, of the 109th sanitary train. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Wednesday, July 3, 1918

Camp Cody Wedding – Deming, New Mexico

Pvt. Al Schmeeman, of Camp Cody’s 135th Ambulance Company

Pvt. Al Schmeeman, of the 135th ambulance company, who has just been detailed to duty at the division exchange theater in charge of all entertainments at that place of amusement, is with stage manager Pvt. Fred Meinar, hustling to arrange a series of programs which he expects to announce a week ahead of time. Heretofore programs have been gotten up so much on the spur of the moment that they were not sufficiently advertised.

Also, stage manager Meinar will put out a light on a green flag every night when there is anything going on there for the men to go to and a light on a red flag when there is nothing. The purpose of these lights is to save the men the inconvenience of have to go over to the theater just to find out whether there is an entertainment or not. Mr. Schmeeman also proposes thoroughly advertising all entertainments at the division exchange theater.

The show for tonight is the Camp Cody minstrels for the 6,000 new select draft men in the “casual” camp only, who are still held in quarantine and have no entertainment except what is provided for them by their older comrades, like the minstrels. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Friday, June 7, 1918

Camp Cody Band Members – Deming, New Mexico

Camp Cody Soldiers to Get Scarlet Service Chevrons

Brig. General J. R. Lindsay has informed the members of his command that in recognition of duties performed in the service of the country, each soldier upon being honorably discharged will be furnished with two scarlet chevrons to be worn on the left sleeve, point up, midway between the elbow and the shoulder, one on the coat and one on the overcoat. This will serve to indicate to the country while in uniform is being worn that the wearer responded to the demands of the country, performed creditable service in the army, and finally received an honorable discharge there from.

Where practicable, these chevrons should be sewn on the garments before discharge. If this cannot be done, they will be presented to the soldier with his discharge papers. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Saturday, December 28, 1918

126th Field Artillery Medical Unit – 34th Division

Pvt. Delbert Greer, Dead at Camp Cody, Is Home Hero

At the funeral of Pvt. Delbert Greer. Conducted by chaplain Gaines, Major Arthur M. Nelson, commanding the battalion of the late soldiers, in the course of some beautiful remarks, said the young man was entitled to the same praise as if he had fallen on the western front.

Fine music was furnished by a male quartet from the Y. M. C. A., consisting of Mrs. Rockwell, Nold, Raiph and O’Kelley. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Monday, October 21, 1918

Military Funeral Procession – Deming, New Mexico

Saturday’s Review at Camp Cody Notably Varied from its Predecessors

A review of Camp Cody’s 34th division, made notable by several variations from other held recently, took place Saturday morning at the polo grounds, southwest of Deming. General Blocksom and the division staff were at the reviewing point, having as their guest of honor Governor Keith Neville, of Nebraska.

One point wherein it differed from earlier reviews was in that all transportation of the division was out for review and inspection, consuming a much greater amount of time that previous reviews. The combined division field trains and the trains of the three brigades were involved. In addition each battalion had its combat wagons, medical carts ad ration carts following.

Brigadier General H. A. Allen was in command of the Camp Cody troops. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Sunday, April 21, 1918

Camp Cody Baseball Team Wins 56th Victory.

The baseball team of Company A, 126th machine Gun Battalion, won its 56th straight victory Wednesday by a score of 13 to 1. This time the easy victory was over the team of the base hospital contingent. It is expected that these two teams will try conclusions again Sunday on the grounds at the base hospital. – El Paso Herald Newspaper Friday, June 14, 1918

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Camp Cody Army Clerk Joins the Navy

F. A. O’Brien, until a few days ago and army field clerk in the 34th division adjutant’s office, left on Tuesday night for Mare Island, in San Francisco bay, California, where he will enlist as a yeoman in the Navy. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Thursday, May 9, 1918

Camp Cody Baseball Champions

PVT. Bjorn Winger is New Editor of “The Reveille” at Camp Cody

It may be “The Reveille,” the pungent little weekly newspaper of the 136th infantry (second Minnesota infantry), is to adopt a new but none the less unique editorial policy suggested by the pen name of its new editor, Pvt. Bjorn Winger, of the medical detachment of the regiment. That pen name is “Oleum Rocini” of significant forcefulness.

Pvt. Winger has been writing what may be termed possible vers libre, under that name for the virile, lively little sheet which Major A. M. Nelson, adjutant of the 68th infantry brigade, has made so readable by his bright and hitting editorial squibs for the past seven months. Editor Winger is a graduate of St. Olaf collage at Northfield, Minnesota, and then took a post graduate course at the Chicago university. Up to the time he joined the army and came to this camp he was teacher of English in the technical high schools of Indianapolis, Indianapolis. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – Thursday, May 9, 1918

Overseas Sergeants Arrive at Camp Cody in Deming, NM

Nine more overseas sergeants have arrived from overseas to assist in training men at Camp Cody, the list includes Sgts. Coblentz, Devoy, Lennon Parkinson, McGilton, Leshley, and Hughes, all representing different units abroad.

Sgt. Coblentz, who fought in the Somme sector, says the stories told of rats and “cooties” in the trenches are not and cannot be overdrawn.

The sergeant is very complimentary in his remarks concerning welfare organizations. He says the first tobacco he had in six weeks was given him by a “Y” secretary who looked like a “ministering angel” to him. – Deming Graphic Newspaper – November 29, 1918