US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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BIGLERVILLE 9' IGLERVILLE, of which-Ft. Benning and Columbus are suburbs, caters to their educational and commercial needs respectively and is deserving of much more publicity than it receives. Ft. Benning, whose function it is to mould visiting transients from an indefinite, incoherent heterogeneity into a definite, coherent homogeneityby means of various differentiations and examinations, receives much publicity from its collaborator, Columbus, which puts advertising matter on each train leaving Palm Beach for Reno. But Biglerville, serene in her walkless streets, sits proudly aloof, surrounded by great spaces and conscious of her own prosperity. The founder of Biglerville must of had a premonition of the place she was sometime to play in the great affairs of men for even the name of Biglerville is characteristic and aristocratic, having a distinctly foreign flavor. lt is derived from two French words-BIG meaning Hpiles' and LER Ccorruption of the word ULIEUHD meaning place, space or room, hence piles of room . The VILLE was added as an artistic touch and to indicate the French origin. As the name indicates there are piles of rooms in Biglerville but each one is occupied. Although each room has the same dimensions and interior decorations and is equally accessible to the natatorium, rentals run from 34.0.00 to 55100.00 per month. This follows the policy in vogue in Columbus of fixing the rental by the amount of rental allowance of the occupant. ' Transients each winter tax its housing capacity to the limitg in fact, during the last winter it was found necessary to build an attractive suburb to the northeast. All of these new quarters with their common club house were occupied immediately upon completion.

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lt took but a moment to be connected with the Bureau of Hot Airantics, and l was in conversation with the Chief himself. I recognized his suave tones at onceg they had become very familiar during the year that l, as a fellow student, had listened to them. lVith his characteristic generosity--he was always willing to give away anything that did not belong to him-he assured me that l could have one of his fastest Hot Airplanes. It was waiting for me by the time l was ready to go. VVithin a couple of hours we were at Fort Benning. l could hardly recognize it. VVe had landed on a beautiful parade ground, bordered by tropical shrubs and flowers. Comfortable quarters had been built in place of the old pasteboard and tarpaper shacks. Student officers had all the comforts of enlisted men in barracks. Groups o'f officers were sketching. I was told that they were no longer sent out, en mass, to make a road sketch on the one traveled road, nor were mounted sketches made in rain- storms. l was impressed. The new library was well lighted and arranged. Class caucuses and informal receptions were no' longer held in the reading room. VVhat struck me most forcibly was a new regulation saying that since student officers were compelled to be at classes until four olclock, that the sales Commissary should remain open until 4:15. Assuredly, great improvements had been made. ln the great auditorium, Rlajor Agony sang a solo in his rich, falsetto' voice. As the last seepings died away, a slender, blonde officer came hurriedly up the aisle, his spurs clicking, and spoke to someone on the platform. The great pipe organ pealed, but changed to a deep, stern voice. measured and distinct. lt said: OHicers will put on unionalls, strap their riHes over their back, wear their gas masks, carry all other equipment in their hands, and ride out horseback to see a demonstration. VVhen they reach the point selected, the demonstration will not be given, on account of the rain and the cold, and officers will return at once to the schoolf' l awoke with a start. Colonel Heavy was forming the class for the next period, and l had slept through the vital, distinctive definition of a combat connecting group.

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The leading cafe where most of the officers and their guests dine at Biglerville has many attractive features not the least of which are the unnumbered hatho'oks. Each officer and his guest is at liberty to select any hook he chooses on which to deposit his lylontana Peak without hesitating to differentiate between his code num- ber, club number, riHe number, pistol number, P. O. box number or his class standing -a thoughtful touch deeply appreciated by the fortunate ones. Opportunity is also afforded students of inquiring mind to investigate the art of acquiring head gear by selection. As the through train passes the Biglerville Union Station at noon and the con- ductor calls ''Big-ler-ville-fall-out'' many officers who are compelled to motor to the distant village of Columbus look with interest at Biglerville While they go on in their unionalls to the little red school house to eat from a cold dinner pail by the stove. One glance at the appointments convinces them that, though all may belong to the same union no one would indulge in unionalls in the Biglerville cafe. VVhile entraining at Biglerville is always popular, and sometimes possible, the traffic congestion is such that it can seldom be done. So the inhabitants entrain at the more commodious station at Ft. Benning. They are, however, amply compen- sated for the walk when ten minutes later the train passes through Biglerville without stop and they can enjoy the view of their homes moving with the peaceful landscape swiftly by. Nor is Biglerville without her lighter moments. The gay evening assemblages in the Cafe where by mutual understanding all appear in the gay olive drab evening dress with glistening S. B. belts more than make up for the lack of other recreation. And oftimes in the early morning hours are heard the tinkle of the piano and the throbbing minors of the jungle singers. ' And to all its other advantages Biglerville offers the spice of adventure, the navigation of the great plain between it and the Fort. The plain would tempt the most intrepid explorer with its lake, bottomless bogs and maze of paths. Only the most reckless of Biglerville's inhabitants attempt its passage at night and then only when monographs demand work in the library. Even though her population changes regularly and periodically Biglerville has a charm all her own. She is not likely to be forgotten by those who once were sheltered within her precincts- r yt 4' A .nv Ja...