National Guardsmen from Tucson were grateful for the mess fund that was already proving better food for them.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Tuesday, July 4, 1916:
MEMBERS OF COMPANY CHEER FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO MESS FUND
The Star was informed late last night that the employees of the Steinfeld Store had made up a purse of $35 to be added to The Star’s Mess Fund for the Tucson national Guardsmen at the front. This is the largest donation yet from any one source. Moreover, The Star was informed that more was coming from the same source. This boosts the Mess Fund to over $200. On behalf of the “Tucson boys,” The Star thanks these and others who are making life more pleasant for them “They also serve.”
The gratitude of members of Company E, Arizona National guard, now in the federal service at Douglas, for the efforts of the Star in raising a mess fund, is contained in a letter to The Star from Captain Robert Soto, acknowledging the receipt of the first check of $50.
In his letter Captain Soto says:
“I do not know really how to express the joy that the boys of Company E felt when they heard the news of what the Arizona Daily Star is doing for them. It is something that shows them the good intentions of the people of Tucson. It is not the gift but the intention behind the gift that will be multiplied in their hearts a thousand fold.
“The same day we received your check for $50, we received two crates of cantaloupes that were sent by one of our most distinguished citizens, Mr. B. C. Brichta. The boys had good things to eat this day, but it was a puzzle to them where all these good things were coming from. In fact, one of them remarked in a wise way, as though he knew all about it: ‘Well, I know now they are going to send is to the front, for you can see by the food they have been giving us before and the kind they are giving us today. Uncle Sam wants us to be well fed because after we cross the line it will be goodbye good things to eat, and maybe nothing to eat for many days.’
“It was quite a debate that the boys had as to why they had such good grub until the time for retreat came, when I addressed the company and explained the situation to them and the joy they displayed shows the thanks that they felt. When I told my first sergeant to dismiss the company he took the lead and they gave three cheers for the Arizona Daily Star, three cheers for B. C. Brichta, and three cheers for the people of good Old Tucson town.
“On behalf of the boys and the Hospital corps, I again ask you to mention our appreciation through the columns of your generous newspaper. Wishing it a big circulation, I am
Sincerely yours,
“ROBERT SOTO, Captain Company E, Arizona First Regiment.”
A list of contributors followed.
The arrest of a Mexican caused increased fears of an invasion. While war was on people's minds everywhere, in states that bordered Mexico, people were more concerned that a war with Mexico was imminent, so conspiracy theories were common.
CHANCE ARREST MAY REVEAL ALIEN PLOT
Map of Oro Blanco District and List of Names Found on Mexican
A sensational capture was made yesterday evening by Jailer O’Donnell and Officer Mills when they took up Herberto Zubierta on Broadway on a charge of drunkenness, only to find when they searched him that he had a map of the Oro Blanco-Arivaca district and a list of names of more than 40 Mexicans residing in that locality.
Officers of the Tucson Safety committee were much interested in the arrest of Zubierta and the disclosures, and will make a thorough investigation of the case. The map of the Oro Blanco district was faithfully made, and every place was represented in the drawing. It was done in pencil on a small piece of paper. The names of the Mexicans are believed to be men working in that district.
Zubierta refused to talk. He was very anxious to be released. He seems to be intelligent and clever, and officers are of the opinion that he may be implicated in some plot, whether directed against Tucson or against Carranza authorities on the other side it is impossible to tell at present.
While adults understood that war was to be feared, children didn't always get the message. In this case, the message was learned the hard way when children were "playing war" with a weapon that was not a toy.
Victim of Play Warfare, Henry Michaels, Age 7, Killed By Playmate
Rifle Bullet Pierces Youth’s Heart During Charge on “Mexican Army”
That the death of Henry Michaels, seven year old son of Mrs. Agnes Michaels of South Third avenue, was due to the accidental discharge of a rifle in the hands of Don Matthews, ten year old son of Mrs. and Mrs. J. D. Matthews, of the same street, was the verdict of the coroner’s jury yesterday. The shooting occurred Sunday afternoon at the Matthews home while the lads were “playing war.”
According to the evidence given by various witnesses, the lads got hold of a loaded 38-caliber rifle which had not been loaded prior to the “preparedness” preparations the present week, for 15 years. It was standing in a closet next to the room where the boys were. A football represented the Mexican army, it seems, and when the rifle was discharged young Michaels was directly in front of it.
The Matthews lad testified that it was discharged accidentally but Raymond Hubbs, the third lad present, told a somewhat different story than that of Matthews, stating that young Matthews had cocked the gun and pulled the trigger after young Michaels had told him not to.
The bullet entered the left side of the chest, piercing the heart and coming out at the back. Michaels died instantly. The rifle had been carried by an older son of Mr. Matthews for protection, in his railroad work. Mr. Matthews is division engineer and the son is also employed on the railroad.
The father of the Michaels lad committed suicide on account of ill health more than a year ago.
