Congressmen Walton’s Masterful Speech in the House “Defending” Camp Cody – Part 2 of 7

Camp Cody was selected for a cantonment only after exhaustive and careful investigation by the officials of the War Department. Not only did the natural advantage of the place commend it to favorable consideration, but past experience has demonstrated its availability and its advantages as a site for cantonment or military camp. With an abundant supply of pure water, 99.99 per cent pure by government analysis, with a climate that is mild, both in summer and in winter, with excellent railroad facilities.

Deming possesses the additional advantage of being located within a short distance of the Mexican border, where past experience has demonstrated that troops in large numbers are liable to be needed at almost any moment. There was, as the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Hardy, indicated in his inquiry, a national guard cantonment at Deming in the spring and summer of 1916, and the experience of that time demonstrated to the War Department that the site was an admirable one, both from a strategic and a practicable standpoint. The camp has received high praise from such real red-blooded American soldiers as Major General Tasker H. Bliss, Chief of Staff; Major General H. A. Green; and Major General E. F. Glenn, who was in command there in 1916. – Deming Graphic Newspaper – January 18, 1918

Back To Camp Cody After Long Dusty Hike, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Congressmen Walton’s Masterful Speech in the House “Defending” Camp Cody – Part 1 of 7

Mr. Walton: I would not be doing my duty toward myself or toward the people whom I represent if I did not at least make some reply to the unjust charges, the unfounded accusations, the unwarranted criticisms, just made upon a community in my state. One of the most progressive cities in New Mexico, by the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Knutson. I am compelled most earnestly to take issue with the gentleman as to the accuracy of the information upon which his remarks are based and upon the conclusion which he has reached as a result of that information. The gentleman visit to Deming and Camp Cody. Camp Cody being located very close to the city of Deming, must necessary have been a very brief one.

The impressions which he gained were unquestionable the result of hasty information, obtained from those who had recently left their comfortable homes and taken up the inevitable rigors of camp life and who had not yet accustomed themselves to their new surroundings. I do not deem that to be a reflection upon the patriotism and loyalty of those boys. To use a slang expression, to “kick”, to register complaints, is only human nature, and the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Knutson has apparently paid attention only to the registered “kicks” and has not looked for the benefits and advantage manifestly apparent from the location of that Camp. – Deming Graphic Newspaper – January 18, 1918

Back To Camp Cody After Long Dusty Hike, Deming, New Mexico 1917-1918

Camp Cody, A Booming World War I Training camp Gone and Almost Forgotten – Part 5 of 5

The target range was built out towards Black Mountain, to the northwest of Camp Cody. There were systems of trenches miles long built there for use in the training exercises. Rifle and machine gun training went on and heavy artillery also. Be aware that some of those shells were explosive, and some of them never went off. After the demobilization, most of the camp was torn down. The 34th Division, called the Sandstorm Division, was not needed after the war ended. Men from Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota went home or somewhere else. The camp was used for a time, or the hospital portion of it, as a tuberculosis sanatorium for soldiers. In 1922 it was transferred to the Deming Chamber of Commerce.

The Sisters of Holy Cross bought the property, or a portion of it, and opened a sanitarium. They invested about $450,000 and made a very impressive operation of it. The depression did not help them, though, and business was not good. The final crushing blow came when a fire somehow started on March 16, 1939, and burned just about every-thing to the ground, The 15 frame buildings were not half insured, and the Sisters never even tried to rebuild. – Article Writen By H. Glenn Carson

Camp Cody Soldiers Setting Up Camp, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Camp Cody, A Booming World War I Training camp Gone and Almost Forgotten – Part 4 of 5

The water supply for Camp Cody was difficult There was plenty of water, in wells, but getting enough to where it was needed was a huge task. 2,000,000 gallons were needed daily. Three times that much could be provided for one hour in case of fire. There were two huge wooden tanks, each with a 100,000-gallon capacity. These are prominent in many pictures of the old camp. There were eight miles of water mains.

A very interesting camp paper was put out by the El Paso Herald, The Trench & Camp. The first edition came out October 8, 1917. The last edition was put out on December 5, 1918. It cost one cent to mail the paper to the folks, if a soldier wanted them to see what he was going through. A complete copy can be seen at the Luna County Clerk’s office in Deming, or at several places in El Paso, including the library. – Article Writen By H. Glenn Carson

Buildings, tents and a car at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Camp Cody, A Booming World War I Training camp Gone and Almost Forgotten – Part 3 of 5

There were at least five YMCA buildings throughout the camp. Canteens (now fairly easy to locate due to a very high incidence of bottle caps) were scattered about for the men’s benefit. There was a Camp Cody “Chataqua,” which was held under a huge tent. Excellent programs could be seen there, for a charge of 10 cents. An arena with a seating capacity for 4,000 was built. The Northwest corner of an old reservoir, or tank, was the location of a 68-by-80-foot stage. Plans to seat 10,000 fell by the wayside, for there were too many things for the men to do. Athletic events, such as track and field days, drew as many as 14,000 men to that arena in the old reservoir.

There were regimental hospitals scattered throughout the camp, and they were needed. Pneumonia killed a good many soldiers at Camp Cody, before they ever had a chance to go to war. 6,000 tents were provided for the men. Each was floored, framed and equipped for electricity. Each had a heating stove, for the winters get cold in the high desert. A remount station was located at the northwest corner of the camp. It was prepared to handle 10,000 animals. Training in shoeing horses, pack train and wagon train handling and the like went on and that in a war geared more to trucks, tanks and airplanes, That’s the military, teach men to handle mules, even when everything was already being hauled on trucks. – Article Writen By H. Glenn Carson

Airing Out Tents At Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Camp Cody, A Booming World War I Training camp Gone and Almost Forgotten – Part 2 of 5

There were three main streets, and 18 cross streets. Altogether there were 12 miles of streets, graded and topped with a three-inch dressing of gravel. Crude oil was later poured on the primary streets to withstand heavy truck traffic and in an attempt to, keep down the billowing clouds of dust. There were nearly 1,200 mess houses to feed the men. That’s where all the loaves of bread were used, of course. 1,200 or more shower bath houses were the next to the most popular places in camp, the mess halls being tops, of course. There was one such facility at the end of each company street.

Each regiment had buildings for head-quarters and a regimental exchange. Every brigade was provided with an office building. Camp Cody had 11 enormous ware houses in which to store food clothing and other necessities of an army of 30,000, sufficient to last for 10 days at any time. The foundations of those buildings are still visible to the east of plant now existing on part of old Camp Cody. Division Headquarters was in a building at the corner of Cook and Cody Avenues, strategically located at the exact center of the camp. – Article Writen By H. Glenn Carson

Tents and Buildings at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Camp Cody, A Booming World War I Training camp Gone and Almost Forgotten – Part 1 of 5

Some 30,000 men were stationed there for about a year and a half, during 1917 and 1918, in the World War I years. Tents and barracks buildings, mess halls, extensive hospital facilities and much more sprawled across 2,000 acres. Camp Cody cost American taxpayers $2,025,00. an incredible sum for that time. 10,000 loaves of bread, for one thing, were baked there each day. Yet Camp Cody disappeared as rapidly as it appeared, and only a few of the older Deming residents remember much about it. When they are gone, outside of a few increasingly dusty military records, few indeed will know anything about Camp Cody, not even where it was.

Camp Cody was a busy, busy place while it was active. There was a war to be fought, a Kaiser to be defeated and men to be trained. It takes a lot of doing to make sure that 30,000 men are housed, clothed, fed, kept reasonably clean at the same time as they are completing a training program in a rapid, disciplined, military manner.

Camp Cody extended northwest of Deming, in an irregular shape, for two-and-a-half miles east and west, and for about one and a quarter miles north and south. It covered approximately 1,800 acres, when completed. – Article Writen By H. Glenn Carson

Many Soldiers at Camp Cody Ask for Leave to Marry

Matrimony and Christmas, as in civil life, is afflicting the 34th division somewhat. Applications for furloughs to get married “back home” during the holidays are quite numerous, according to verbal reports. The 136th infantry (Second Minnesota) expects at least half a dozen war brides after January 1. The new war risk insurance is an encouraging feature in the way of allotments and straight insurance. Two private of the 133rd infantry (First Iowa Infantry) who died last week had insured their lives for $10,000 each. – El Paso Herald Newspaper – December 11, 1917

Camp Cody Soldiers at Train Depot at Deming, New Mexico

Parents of Boys Praise Camp Cody – Part 2 of 2

Prominent Railroad Men of Iowa and Nebraska Visit Sons in Camp Cody and are Delighted

Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Smith, of Conner Bluffs, Iowa, who, with their son, Roy, have been spending several days with another son, Lyle of Battery C. 127th H. F. A., voiced the sentiment of their neighbors across the river when they informed the Graphic that in their opinion conditions could scarcely be better that they are at Camp Cody.

“Everything certainly looks good to me,” said Mr. Smith, who is likewise a prominent railroader, being general chairman of the B. of L. F. & E. of the Union Pacific. “Everything is beyond what we possibly expected. The boy is looking fine and feeling fine, and that seems to be the general condition among the boys in camp.”

“And, my goodness, how we can sleep and eat down here,”; said Mrs. Smith. “Since our son has been here he has gained thirty pound, which ought to be enough recommendation for your climate and health conditions. We are going home with a feeling of satisfaction and hope to visit Deming and Camp Cody again before our son gets away from here. We believe the real soldiers are all pleased with Camp Cody.” – Deming Graphic Newspaper – January 25, 1918

Parents of Boys Praise Camp Cody, Deming – Part 1 of 2

Prominent Railroad Men of Iowa and Nebraska Visit Sons in Camp Cody and are Delighted

They Say the Soldiers Boys are not Pleading for Sympathy and are Not in Need of Any

There are some mighty good boosters among the patriotic citizens, and who have been spending some time them in camp.

Among those who have been visiting Camp Cody from Iowa and Nebraska, the Graphic is pleased to report conditions as they found them, wholly prejudiced and unbiased. Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Schulze of Omaha, have a son, Sgt. A. N. Schulze, in the 109th F. S. Radio Co., and a nephew, Winford Schulze, of the 134th infantry, Mr. and Mrs. Schulze observed the conditions in both camp and city and are thoroughly pleased with both. They not only took several meals with the boys at regular mess, but took occasion to visit a large number of the enlisted men.

In an interview with the Graphic Mr. Schulze, who by the way is a prominent railroad man of his state, being yard master of the C. & N. W. road at Omaha, said: “We find things fine down here. We have not found a thing wrong in camp. And are most delighted with your charming and progressive city.”

Mrs. Schulze, who is a woman of keen observation and insight;, supplemented what her husband had said with the remark: “It surely can not be the fault of Deming when our boys come down here and gain from fifteen to twenty pounds in the five months. You can say for me, that we are very much please with conditions here, and believe our son and nephew are very fortunate in being assigned to Camp Cody for training. We saw a good many of the Omaha boys and each of them said they did not need any sympathy, and all are of the opinion that Camp Cody is a splendid training place for soldiers.” – Deming Graphic Newspaper – January 25, 1918

Camp Cody Soldiers, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918