Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-22
OUR MAIL POUCH.
Fort Sill Defended-The Chaplain's Reply
to Recent Criticism.

| -
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
In your issue of the 9Th inst. the follow
ling extract appears from a sermon de-
| livered in the Central R. P Church, Allie
| gheny City, Pa, by Rev. w. W. Carithers, of
Fort Sill, 1. t.:
ain speaking of the drawbacks to civiliza-
tion among the red men, the speaker said:
'At Fort Sill there are always from 200 to 400
members of the regular army. Since have
been there 1 have found but one total ab-
stainer, and he has been removed If we
could blot out of existence Fort sill we might
have chance to evangelize the Indians, for
as long as that post exists crime will exist
The garrison there is a blot and a shame to
humanity. Some way should be found to re-
move 1t, for the soldiers there are O shame
and disgrace to their colors and their ma
TONS
am sorry to have to say that the above
statements are greatly exaggerated and
suited to injure the reputation of the people
at this post. As Rev. Mr. Carithers has been
but an occasional visitor here, his station
being Is miles away, his excited and unkind
utterances must have been made from the
statements..of others rather than from his
own observation. came to this post on the
18th of last September. Since that date
have been engaged here in Christian work.
In these months have visited all the fami-
lies in this garrison, and most of these fire.
quently, and can say sincerely that have
not seen here at any time an officer under
the influence of Intoxicating drink, and that
after nine years service in the army and at
different posts, 1 regard this one exception
ally quiet and orderly The intelligence and
department of the officers and their families
would command the respect of cultured peo-
Pile In any place; and as to sobriety and good
behavior, 1 feel that the enlisted men here
will compare very fayorably with men of
the same class in Pittsburg or any other
town or city in the East. If the one total
abstainer found here by that brother was re-
moved, l know there is one here at present,
and that he has not been molested on ac-
count of his abstinence. I know, too, that
there are other officers here who discard as a
beverage every kind of Intoxicating drink.
and that there are some total abstainers
among the enlisted men.
l cannot conceive why Brother Carithers
feels 80 hostile to Fort SILL Instead of being
hindrance 1t has been helper to him in
various ways. If he has not been as success
full in his mission to the Indians as he ex-
pected or DESIRES he should not blame his
benefactor for his failure. Instead of hinder
ing the improvement of their condition,
facts show that this post has been civilizer
of the Indians, that its influence has not
served to increase but to diminish crime and
to promote good order and safety in this Ter
ritory; and that it is yet necessary for the
security OF life and property In this isolated
Indian country. Blot Fort Sill out of ex-
istence, as Brother Carithers desires and the
days of his Indian school and of the mission
ary work in Oklahoma would soon be num-
bered. As the readers of THE DISPATCH may
have received a wrong impression of Fort
Sill make these statements and desire them
to be made public through your paper.
feel that this is due to the people at this
post, and to Brother Carithers who has
spoken so unadvised1y.
ROBERT MCWATTY
Chaplain, U. s. Army,
Formerly pastor of the Second U. P.
Church, Mercer, Pa.
FORT SILL, l. T., June 18.