217222_1_9

Kansas Memory Kansas Historical Society Conditions at Camp Funston correspondence This correspondence deals with complaints about the treatment of servicemen at the hospital in Camp Funston. Written during the summer of the Influenza of 1918, these various pieces of correspondence indicate the extreme concern shown for the health of the men being treated at Funston. Particularly interesting is the letter to Governor Capper that was sent to him by "an Anxious Mother." In the letter, the unknown mother of a soldier hospitalized at Camp Funston pleads with Governors Capper to do something about the poor food and sanitary conditions at the facility. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below. Creator: Kansas. Governor (1915-1919: Capper) Date: July 10, 1918-July 19, 1918 Callnumber: Governor's Office, Governor Arthur Capper, Correspondence Files, Alphabetical File Box 16 Folder 50 KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 217222 Item Identifier: 217222 www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222

www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222 Kansas Memory is a service of the Kansas Historical Society ~ kshs.org

Kansas Memory Kansas Historical Society Conditions at Camp Funston correspondence

50 Topeka Kans July 10 1918

Governor Capper. Sir

I am writing you in behalf of our unfortunate boys at Fort Riley in Section 4. a no. of the boys ask several of us mothers + wives to write or talk to you on this of the treatment they are getting while in Camp. They were fed well + all was well but when taken to Sec. G. they are in a terrible condition corn bread cold, rice, sweet potatos consist their eats, nothing at all to drink and some of the boys do not like corn bread + sane sweet potatoes, and (pas) to their treat-

www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222 ~ Page 1/9 Kansas Memory is a service of the Kansas Historical Society ~ kshs.org

Conditions at Camp Funston correspondence

II ment the their disease it is terrible the same instrument is used on every one white & black, worst cases & better ones, and the blacks & whites have to sleep together the first 2 nights my sons were there they slept with colored boys then they rebeled more I was ask by the boys or a number of them to write you and they ask other Mothers & wives also. they are willing to do what is right but say they are getting worse instead of better. Now wont you please do something for these boys to better conditions. we don't want these boys to desert but they say they would rather face the penitentiary than what they are now.

www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222 ~ Page 2/9 Kansas Memory is a service of the Kansas Historical Society ~ kshs.org

Conditions at Camp Funston correspondence

III

and who can blame them they are human. they are some Mothers sons who sent them away with an aching heart they are forced by law to go now why should not the law compell them to have decent treatment if Parents knew where & what their boys were getting there, there would surley be war at home this may not be write to say this but it is true for Mothers would give their lives for there boys. Please look into this at once.

An Anxious Mother

www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222 ~ Page 3/9 Kansas Memory is a service of the Kansas Historical Society ~ kshs.org

Conditions at Camp Funston correspondence

STATE OF KANSAS Arthur Capper, Governor

Topeka July 13, 1918

General Leonard Wood, Do the news of the top Camp Funston, Kansas.

Dear General: --

I enclose you an anonymous letter received by me today.

I am sure there is no basis for her complaint, but I thought you might be interested in the statements made by the writer of the letter.

Very respectfully,

Arthur Capper Governor.

[stamped] Recieved-Q.B.s. 164th Depot Brigade To Camp Surgeon:

Please look into this matter and let me have an informal report so the General can answer the Governor's letter,

www.kansasmemory.org/item/217222 ~ Page 4/9 Kansas Memory is a service of the Kansas Historical Society ~ kshs.org