Church on Sunday - 11/20/1916

El Paso, Tex., 

Nov. 20, 1916

My Dear Mother: -

Your letter rec. today. Yesterday was Sunday. Lamont was in from Ysleta and spent the afternoon and evening with me. I dressed up in my civilian clothes and he borrowed a suit from Billy Jacobs here at the fire sta. and we took a nice walk in the afternoon. We had lunch at the Fire Sta and went to the 1st Methodist Church in the evening. Their new pastor has not arrived yet and they ask the different chaplains from the militia to fill the pulpit for the services. The chap Sunday he was from Georgia. He gave a fine sermon on Brotherhood.

My little finger is all bandaged up and I can hardly write. I scratched the back of it on a wire, around a bale of hay, several days ago, and it festered up and did not heal quickly enough to suit me, so tonight I cut it all open and put a wet B.C. of M. (Bichloride of Mercury) dressing on it and wrapped it up. That will fix it up in a couple of days.

Lamont is more homesick and discouraged than ever and can't see nor understand why I am so contented.

When I told him I beginning to like the place better every day he said I must be going crazy.

No more troops will be sent home until the Mexican arbitration meeting with U.S. is closed, possibly a month or so. It is thought that we will be in Fort Ben Harrison, Ind. by Dec 20th to be mustered out. I hope they are right.

Everything O.K. & feeling fine.

Love to All

Howard

We finally made it! My goal was to post 100 years to the day after Howard sent his letters, and here we are. November 20, 1916 and November 20, 2016. Definitely humbling.

I'd like to think that I didn't really spend the weekend too much much differently than Howard did, apart from performing a minor medical procedure on myself.  I shared a meal with friends in civilian clothes, just like Howard! OK, OK. that's probably a stretch. 

Just like Howard, I am proud that I spent today in church, although I spent my time with the Lutherans instead of the Methodists. Grams and Gramps got married in the Methodist church, but they eventually raised their family in the Lutheran church. It's hard to shake those German Lutheran roots. I joke with my sister about becoming a Methodist, but, see KK? You're just returning to your family's roots on the other side! 

I'm hoping the above photo from the El Paso Public Library may be the right church where Howard worshipped - the 1st Methodist Episcopal Church at Montana and Lee Streets. 

Hike to Ysleta - 11/13/1916

El Paso, Tex., 

Nov. 13, 1916.

My Dear Dad: - 

Your letter and newspaper of the 8th rec. this A.M. I rec. the arch support and smokes O.K. Thank you very much.

I may not get another chance to write this week.  Tomorrow we leave 6:30 A.M. for an all day trip, and Thursday A.M. we are going on a two day hike to Ysleta about 15 miles down in the valley. We will sleep in "Pup" tents Thurs. night.

I wrote to Mother Sat eve at Lima.

The fellows in our tent are going to have the folks at home all go together and send box of eats for Thanksgiving. Mother can call up Mrs. Fisher and find out what she should send. Bill - Forest 1641. 

That way each parent will only have a couple of things to send and we will all have the same things for dinner.

Ross Barnes who was chasing me one night and broke both bones of the upper third of the left forearm is coming along O.K. We ran between two tents and he tripped on the guy rope and fell on his arm.

I had supper at the Fire Station Sunday and spent the afternoon and evening there.

Rev. Stockdale is not at the El Paso district yet. So I have not seen him.

I am feeling fine and still getting fat. 

Love to all, 
Howard

Get a nice letter from Ruth Collett this morning. Did I tell you that I got a swell letter from Gladys Doane last week.

The above photo (from those whom are getting to be my good friends at the El Paso Public Library) is of the Mission de Corpus Christi ade la Ysleta. According to the Texas State Historical Association, Ysleta (now a part of the city of El Paso) is believed to be the oldest town in Texas. After the Pueblo revolt in New Mexico in 1680, the Tigua Indians started an agricultural community there along the Rio Grande and have lived continuously ever since.

Election Night - 11/7/1916

El Paso, Tex., 

Nov. 7, 1916

My Dear Dad: - 
Well, tonight tells the tale. Who will it be, Wilson, or Hughes? I think it will be Hughes. We took a straw vote this moon, Hughes got 35; Wilson 13; Benson, 1.  So you see Wilson had a good reason for having the Soldiers of Rep. States on the Border for Election, for nearly every state here and at other points along the Border are Rep. states and cannot vote.

There is no news of any importance here, I am feeling good as usual and learning something new every day.

This morning when I was out on a drill, we were going through a pass between some hills and just as I struck the top the tongue of my ambulance broke off completely and maybe you don't think I had some time going down the hill with my four mules, but I managed to make the bottom without tipping over, & then I returned to camp & had a new one fitted.

Here is plan of our camp, I thought you would like to have an idea of how are are encamped.

Well will close for this time. 

Love to all

Howard

Well, I sure wish I would have gotten my act together to post this last week! Maybe my little pea brain could only handle one election at a time. So, here's the gist of the 1916 election as Howard would have seen it (I think - as summarized from Brittanica and Wikipedia).

Democrat, and sitting president, Woodrow Wilson was neutral on the war in Europe and was running on the phrase, "He kept us out of war." This generally coincided with the more popular anti-war public sentiment at the time. Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes was critical of much of Wilson's military policies - neutrality on the conflict in Europe and military interventions in Mexico - and advocated for greater mobilization and preparedness. Perhaps that's why these young men were ready for a President Hughes - he was aiming his campaign promises straight at getting them more and better stuff! In case you're wondering, Allan Benson was the Socialist candidate - Feel the Bern-son?

From what I can find, most absentee voting laws may not yet have been reenacted to allow those in military service to vote in 1916. Such laws were put into place during the Civil War, but many were repealed following the war. I found an article in The American Political Science Review from 1918 that made it seem like the reenactment of those laws was a pretty recent thing at the time. Because the laws are done at the state level, I wasn't going to take the time to do the research...sorry, dudes. So, it would make sense based on Howard's letter - if those guarding the border were mostly Republicans, they couldn't be home to vote for Wilson's opponent.

And you thought we were all done talking about the election....

Driving and Operating - 10/17/1916

El Paso, Tex.,

Oct. 17, 1916

My Dear Parents: -

Your letter containing the $5 rec. O.K. & thank you very much. Mother's letter rec. this evening.

Harold Neff wrote me a very nice letter. Ruth Collett wrote me a nice letter, she has to withdraw from school owing to poor health. Leona has been writing often, so, on the whole I am receiving my share of mail.

Our two fellows, who were kicked by mules are recovering very nicely. They may have to operate on the one, whose bowels they think are ruptured.

The latest report our officers have received is that we must rec. three months of Border training and so it will undoubtedly hold us here until after the first of the year. The report also stated that we would rec. no pay until we are sent home. I suppose the means that we will get to have the experience of eating an army Xmas dinner. - it consists of turkey, etc.

If I thought that you folks would not worry about me I could rec. a fine training and enjoy myself at the same time. We are getting a nice Medical lecture every afternoon now, - and you know that is just the part I like. I have been assigned to an amb. as driver now so don't have to be on my feet for drills any more they do not bother me so to speak, but I have broken the support in my left shoe.

Will send you the size later.

I have had only two headaches since we came and the bright sun does not bother my eyes. I have some dark goggles for use when the sun is extra bright.

We performed an operation on Norman De Mun's finger yesterday and removed a growth similar to the one I had, only this was the size of a marble. This afternoon we had equitation (horse-back drill) again & we went down to the Rio Grand River, we also we to Electric Park, where Mother & I went to see the International Aviation Meet & it rained.

They teach us to ride at a walk, a trot, a gallop, with & without stirrups & with & without reins, they had us mount with & without use of stirrups and at a standstill, and moving, so you see our training is quite extensive.

Will write to Col. for the clothes again.

Love to all
Your Son,
Howard

Everyone says I am getting fat in the face - if this keeps up I think I'll have to take a reducer.

The above photo (from the El Paso Pubic Library again) really has nothing to do with anything. I just liked it and had no other photo to use. I've been sitting on this post for a while because I keep researching different angles and keep coming up short. Figured a dead-end post is better than no post at all!

I hoped to find information on what medical conditions might have been like for Howard as he operated on his buddy Norman's finger or for the poor fellow who may have had to have a bowel operation from another darn mule. In a paper by William Sanders Marble about the Army who preceded Howard's National Guard in Mexico, I did get the gist that disease was generally under control when the regular army was the only game in town. Then, the National Guard rolled in and measles, dysentery, and VD rolled in with them. I would imagine the lesser-trained National Guardsmen may have also had a harder time dealing with these outbreaks as well.

That's all I got, folks. I hope you were able to thank a veteran today. Thanks, Howard.

age when sanitary engineers and public health physicians

were famous, the doctors were aggressive in pursuing the

causes of disease, although there seems to have been no

public health campaign in the villages. Food sources, han-

dlers, and kitchens were checked, as was hand washing and

dishwashing. Doctors regularly inspected latrines to control

flies and pushed commanders to clean up manure from horse

lines. One mild malaria outbreak was quickly quelled with

mosquito bars, quinine, and isolating the infected.

7

Laundries

and baths were established not

only for comfort but against

skin diseases.

Promotion to Ambulance Orderly - 10/11/1916

El Paso, Tex.

Oct. 11, 1916

My Dear Mother: -

Rec. a letter from Aunt Mayme this morning also one from Leona. It was the best letter Leona has written so far.

I'm so stiff tonight that I can hardly walk. I am almost afraid to move for fear I may crack a joint. I rode in a regulation army saddle nearly all day yesterday and I feel tonight & have felt all day as though I would never be able to get my legs together again.

It rained like the dickens all night last night, first rain that amounted to anything since we came.

We had some regular manoeuvres that amounted to something today, we gathered up wounded with our amb. sat up a dressing station and did practical bandaging.

After that we had a medical lecture. It made the day very interesting, and showed what we had accomplished.

We were inspected several days ago by a Army officer and were given a grade of 40% proficient. 66 2/3% is the same as 100% in a school and we must acquire a grade of at least 60% before we can go home. Capt. McCormick said that we did much better than most others for the time we have been out. I think that by the next inspection in a week or so, that we will make the 60%.

I am an ambulance orderly now. Four mules on an ambulance, the driver cares for two & the orderly the other two. One of my mules had to have its jaw lanced yesterday, it was swelled up as large as two fists. It is much better now and I think I will be able to take it out in a day or so.

Tell Dad that I think I took my Storage Battery over to the shop before I left. If I did or did no it ought to be charged again to keep it from deteriorating.

I have the Q.D. Secretary's book at the house, I wish you would see that it gets to Harold Neff.

That book of European War photos is at Giffords, better have Marion get it.

I wrote to Gerald Claybaugh again, I don't think he got my 1st letter as it was one I threw off the train. You should have rec. the clothes by this time.

I am feeling better than ever and still getting fat.

Love to all
Howard

We are equipped with big 38 six shooter, revolvers, now, for guard duty. - They do a lot of good - no bullets.

1st Ambulance Company on the Mexico Border

 

I can't be sure if the above image was the Ohio National Guard's 1st Ambulance Company, but it paints a good picture of what Howard might have experienced managing both mules and the wounded.

 

This letter especially strikes me at how scattered Howard's attentions are at this time. His National Guard duties are so varied - medical, physical, training, and dealing with animals and people and equipment. All of that on top of performing guard duty without any bullets!

 

He also still has his head in the the world at home, making sure his belongings are squared away there. I'm still trying to figure out what "Q.D" means - my guess it that it was some sort of fraternal organization. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know!

 

Dodged the Big Hike - 10/7/1916

El Paso, Texas

Oct. 7, 1916

Dear Mother: -
I ate the last of the cake and fudge this evening, it sure was a great treat. I was telling the fellows at 7 Fire Station about the box of eats, and they said that they would get anything I wanted if I would cook it. There are five men including the Capt. I think all five are single.

The weather is just right here, the days are not as hot as at first and we are getting used to the cool nights.

I suppose you read that the 15 day hike of the troops from Ohio, Penn, Mass, Mich & Rhode Is. had been stopped owing to the new Mexican crisis. Villa is reported as being within 30 miles of Juarez, and the report is accepted here by everyone, but the real reason (as told by a couple of Mounted scouts who returned with reports said was that 6 or seven had died as a results of hemorrhages owing to the high altitude here. I think it is 3715 ft above sea level. I am glad that we stand good chances for not having to take one owing to the unfitness of our mules.

As the U.S. gov. does not issue any more cotton clothing those wishing for some must buy it themselves, so, as I wanted to have some that were cooler, I bought a complete uniform out of my pay. Yes, we got one month's pay at last. I also got a very neat & servicable case for my Kodak.

Wait 'till you see a picture of me with my new cotton uniform with a white military collar on and a pr. of leather leggins. I sure look like some dude.

I expect to go to church in the morning if nothing interferes. I still have a dollar and 36 cents left so can put in a 25 cent and take out a half-dollar - like the rube from the country.

I rec. a card from Mr. Tiffany, will send his wife my thanks for candy as soon as I get an opportunity.

I hope my clothes have arrived by this time. My Q.D. pin is pinned to the inside of the upper left outside coat pocket, tell Marion she can may wear it until I return. I think the stick pin was in the tie.

I am feeling fine and everyone tells me I am looking fat, I have gained several pounds since coming here. We have had pretty good eats ever since we were in the lockup.

They took our finger prints in several different positions our scars and imperfections etc the other day for identification dept.

Eight large trainloads of Guardsmen arrived yesterday and today. Each train was about 25 to 35 cars long & about 3/4 of them were pullmans, the rest were box cars for supplies.

The 2nd Ohio Ambulance Co. have been ordered to turn in their mules by the 26th. That looks like a step homeward for them. They only were here nine days ahead of us.

Remember me to everyone
Love to All
Howard

 

I'm unsure if the above photo is the same as the hike Howard refers to, but I found an interesting reference to a 15-day hike of 13,000 troops in the El Paso newspaper a week after Howard wrote about it to his mother. The newspaper article never mentioned any deaths and generally touted it as a great success, with just a few cases of dehydration and turned ankles. Some food for thought...

   

Speaking of mules, I also found a book (The Great Call-Up: The Guard, the Border, and the Mexican Revolution by Charles H. Harris, Louis R. Sadler) that said that Ohio's troop problems were not having to do with health of the men, but with their animals. "Over 100 men have been disabled by kicks since the state troops first began coming to El Paso." Those damn asses! 

Exploring El Paso - 9/18/1916

El Paso, Texas
Sept. 16, 1916

My Dear Little Sister: -

Last night I was in the Sheldon Hotel, the one in which Mother and I put up at when we were here before. I went all over the city, the Jap section, the Mexican section, and the swell section, on the whole it has not changed much from the condition it was in when I was here before. They have beautiful Spanish girls here. Concrete is used extensively around here; all the rich people's houses are made of it and even their large bldgs are made of it. The El Paso building, about 15 stories high is made of reinforced concrete. Many other things are much more modern than those we have in Toledo.

I looked up Aunt Mayme's brother while uptown, but the fire house to which he is capt was so far that I did not get a chance to go out and see him, will do that when I have more time.

Tomorrow (Sunday) three of the fellows from Troop D. Toledo, and myself are going to climb to the top of the mountains which are only three miles from here. I have about forty good friends who belong to Troop D.

Yesterday morning, when they relieved the guards who are posted along the Rio Grande they found one of them lying behind a shed with a long dagger through his heart. One of the fellows from Troop D., who is full of fun, wrote home to this parents the other day and said, "Just think, we have been here nearly tooo weeks and none of our fellows have been killed or wounded yet."

There is a fine Mexican blanket up at the city, that I have had put away for me until I get some money. They only want for it "Tres Pesos y circumenta centavos" - Ha, Ha, very cheap.

We have our camp fixed up dandy now some of the fellows have flower gardens of cactus made across the fronts of their tents.

There is a little Mexican boot-black, who comes around here about three hours a day and with his help I am getting so I can talk Spanish enough to carry on a fairly good conversation. If we are here very long I shall take up Spanish when I get back to school as I will be able to get a good start while here.

Enclosed are some un peso (one dollar) bills issued by Villa (pronounced veal'ya). Keep one for yourself and give one to Dad.

With love to All
Your Brother
Howard

Am feeling fine and having a fine time

Not exactly the most charming picture, but the above photo from the El Paso Public Library gives us a view from the Sheldon bathroom of an El Paso streetcar, looking up N. Oregon St. I'm unsure of whether this would have been a private or shared bath, or if it would have been common or considered luxurious at the time to have a bathroom like this in the hotel. A brief Google search on "history of the bathroom" took me way too far down a rabbit hole I didn't want to be in.

I was really hoping to find more about Aunt Mayme and the fire captain, but my ancestry search brought me very little. Howard did have an Aunt Mary (his dad's sister), so I assume he was referring to her brother-in-law. She was married to John Esselbaugh, who could have had a brother according to census records, but I couldn't find any reference to a Captain Esselbaugh in El Paso at the time. None of Howard's uncles had a wife named Mayme or Mary that I could find.

I got so caught up in the ancestry search that I didn't really have any more energy to do additional historical research on Pancho Villa (or "Veal-ya"). That will have to do for another time. I have a feeling that there will be plenty of hot El Paso days to talk about that. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a view Howard may have had from his hike up the mountain with his buddies from Troop D (courtesy of the El Paso Public Library).