Citizens Military Training Camp - Columbian Yearbook (Fort Lewis, WA)

Page 107 text:

THE COLUMBIAN The question of whether or not the American Lake site was to become a national military reservation was n.ow squarely up to the citizens of Pierce County. On December 4, l9l6, Mayor A. V. Fawcett, of Tacoma, issued a public proclamation stating that the Government had accepted the site. On the same day a committee of one hundred and fifty of the leading business men presented ,a petition to the Board of County Commissioners, requesting them to call a bond election for the purpose of obtaining the assent of the electors of Pierce County to the borrowing of a sum of il52,000,000.00 and the issue of bonds of the County therefor, for the pur- pose of purchasing and presenting to the Government the American Lake site. The election was called immediately, and January 6, l9l6, was the date set by the County Commissioners as the date for the holding of a special bond election for the purpose of learning the will of the people. Qnce begun, the civic drive never ceased. Step by step, and point by point, the project was eagerly and comprehensively detailed to the voting publicg and, as the campaign was nearing an end, Major General Bell added the force of his vast experience and personal strength to the great drive. The election was held on the ,appointed day and ended in an over- whelming vote in favor of the post. The total vote cast numbered 29199, and of these 25,049, or about 86 per cent., were in favor of the great project. The cantonment was laid out in the general shape of a horse shoe, with its free end bent backward, and each leg was served with ,a single line of railway tracks and a double line of wagon roads. ln addition to its ideal features for land training, Camp Lewis could at almost a moment's notice be converted into a flying base, both for land and seaplanes. American Lake is a magnificent body of water, suitable for sea- plane landings. The western limits of the reservation extend to the salt waters of Puget Sound. Rail, water and motor transport, therefore, is avail- able at all times. The water supply of Camp Lewis is unsurpassed in any military estab- lishment in the United States. Sisq-ualitchew Lake is the natural reservoir for the camp and more than 2,000,000 gallons of pure, cold water is its daily capacity. The officers of Camp Lewis were able by September IS, l9l 7, to receive and care for the full complement of officers, and shortly thereafter the National Army men assigned to the 9lst Division, came from all over the Pacific Northwest. 'But Camp Lewis was not merely an acquisition for the war. It was re- tained with the intention that it was to be a permanent Divisional post. Today, though, it stands in need of governmental ,appropriations to renew or replace wartime buildings, it is one of the Finest-if not the finest-of the government's military properties, its huge area of prairie land being ad- mirably adapted to military maneuvers, its location with respect to sources of supply, transportation and recreation being almost ideal, and blessed with an inspiring scenic setting, the dominant feature of which is the mountain, l4,408 feet high, often described as America's Noblest Scenic Figure. Compliments o'f the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce One hundred five

Page 106 text:

THE C-OLUMBIAN newcomers called the rolling uplands, were left to themselves. This en- forced isolation continued for a number of years, but as the methods of transportation improved, the splendid natural roads of the region were worn smooth by the wheels of bicycles and automobiles and 'ithe prairie became a vast pleasure ground. Before the prairies came into their own, however, the military adgvan- tages of the region had been demonstrated when the first organization of State troops chose the shores of American Lake as the site for their summer encampment. Every time they were used the regulars participated. On that instant was born the plan that through years of effort on the part of far-sighted men has developed into the largest military post in the United States. ln October, l9l6, Major General Franklin Bell, Commander of the Western Department of the United States Army, sent Captain Richard Park to the Norhwest to investigate .sites for an army post. Through some over- sight the American Lake site was not included in Captain Park's list, but the fact that he was engaged on such a mission became known to Stephen Appleby, then Cashier of the National Bank of Tacoma, who was attending the business men's military encampment at American Lake. Mr. Appleby got in touch with Captain Park, who in company with Colonel U. G. Mc- Alexander, Commander of the business men's camp, Major Logan and Mr. Jesse O. Thomas, inspected the site. On receipt of their favorable report, Major General Bell visited the site and before a meeting of prominent business men he added his enthusiastic endorsement to the plan and called attention to the fact that in August, 1916, the United States Senate had passed a military bill which included the clause which allowed the Secretary of War to accept, as do.nations, such sites as were adapted to military pur- poses. Here was the opportunity which had been -so eagerly desired by the far- sighted men of the community and without a moment's hesitation it was accepted. A fund was instantly raised by popular subscription and Mr. Appleby Went to San Francisco, where he obtained a definite recommen- dation of the site from Major General Bell. On October IS, a Committee composed of Mr. Appleby, Mr. Frank Baker and Mr. Jesse O. Thomas, went to Washington, D. C., where they were joined by Mr. Elbert l-l. Baker, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Appleby's Committee was authorized to offer to the United States Government a tract of one hundred and forty square miles, of which l08.2 square miles, or approximately 70,000 acres, was to be acquired under con- demnation proceedings on the understanding that the Government would establish thereon a permanent military mobilization, training and s-upply station. The land was selected by Major General Bell. No private citizen had any hand in it. Speculators received no consideration when the propo- sition was initiated, nor during the subsequent proceedings. The prices were to be fixed by jury. After Senator Chamberlain, Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, and Congressman Dent, Chairman of the House Committee, had approved of the project, President Wilson added his endorsement. One hundred four ia

Page 108 text:

THE COLUMBIAN Q54 'Tis 232 Q ff E A. 1 Q19 The Stadium, Which Seats 40,000 People. C23 E'nt1'aowe to Ccwnm Lewis. 131 Tacoma, Country and Golf Club. One hundred six 5