The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-08
MAKING SOLDIERS.
Nine Wichita Young Men Have Entered the
Service Of Uncle sam.


for the noble red man Of the plains is meet
ing with success and has already secured
nine young men
Who want TO be soldiers.
And with the soldiers stand,
With musketS on their shoulders.
And hard tack IN their hands.
/ Apart from his own clever manners
which, OF course, the applicants for enlist
| ment think are characteristic of all army
/ officers his great success in getting re-
cruits is due chiefly to the idea prevailing
at present that fields of glory are awaiting
the soldiers of Uncle Sam in South
! America, Mexico or some other country.
/ Even the Stevens county war has filed the
f hearts OF many young men SO full of
martial spirit, that they are ready to
1 enlist on the slightest provocation. It IS
+ interesting to observe the movements OF
/ young man who wants to enlist. He viii
walk down Douglas avenue TO the recruit
! ing station and when he gets TO the foot
OF the stairs he heaves a sigh and looks
grave and considers the idea seriously. He
half concludes that he won't enlist and
then maybe the gorgeous pictures or
soldiers, which are hung on the door, will
strike his eye and refill him with the
martial spirit. If he hears sudden foot
step anywhere he moves away, for many
boys have a peculiar idea that all kinds
OF traps are set by the recruiting officer to
catch them. Some of them think so far
as TO think that the officer will catch them
By the shoulder il they are not looking
out, and enlist them anyway. Suddenly
he moves over to he opposite side OF the
street and meditates sfar whether be
really wants to be a soldier or not. Visions
Of a bowling savage with a bow and arrow
and a scalping knife arise before his eyes
and Kill the martial spirit in him for a
moment, but pleasanter vision succeeds
In the shape of a noble prancing steed with
gold trimmings. fine suit of military
clothes with red and yellow and white
stripes, and at the end OF long service
gold star and a place in history beside
Grant and Sherman, and away he dashes
across the street, up the stairs and
into the presence OF the recruiting officer
making an extra effort OF course, to be as
straight as a ramrod for every youth who
wants to enlist thinks the chief physical
essential is TO be straight whereas the fact
is they are Strengthened after they get in.
When he makes his mission known TO the |
recruiting office that gentleman asks him /
the usual questions and if he answers them |
satisfactorily and presents a certificate OF |
good character from some reliable man |
who knows him he is enlisted. But be- |
fore he is given the oath ali the duties of |
a soldier, and idcidentials are explained TO |
him so that none OF them may assume |
the oath that binds them for five years, |
blindfolded. In conversation with Lieu |
tenant Harbord the EAGLE reporter learn /
ed the following facts concerning the re- /
qiurements, pay, ETC. of a soldier.
Applicants for enlistment must be be- /
tween the ages of IS and 81 years, unmar- /
ried, of good character and habits, able /
bodied, and free from disease. No appli- /
cants are admitted who cannot intelligi- |
bly, converse in English and fully under !
stand orders and instructions given in |
that language.
Applicants are required TO satisfy the
officer regarding age and char
acter, and should be prepared to furnish
the necessary evidence. a minor can be
enlisted only with the written consent of
his parents or legally appointed guardi
an, and when his physical development is
exceptionally good and presents many
of maturity
For infantry and artillery the height
must be not less than feet t inches and
weight not less than Us pounds and not
more than 100 pounds.
For cavalry the height must not be less
than feet four inches and not more than
) feet 10 inches, and weight not to exceed
l65 pounds. The maximum age for cav
airy recruits upon original enlistment is
fixed at 80 years.
Applicants must defray their own ex-
Denses to the place of enlistment. Their
fitness for the military service can only be
determined upon examination at re-
;ruiting rendezvous or a military post.
The term of service is five years
Under the law soldier in his first en-
Istment, after having served one year,
AN purchase his discharge for Sl20, with
reduction of S. in the purchase price for
very subsequent month until he COM
,letes three years service, when, if he has
erved honestly and faithfully, he is en-
titled to a furlough for three months, with
he privilege of discharge at the expira-
ion of the furiough.
All soldiers receive from the govern
neut Gin addition TO their pay ratious,
lothing, bedding, medicines and medical
attendance.
Cauteens are in operation at most posts
or supplying soldiers, at moderate prices,
With such articles as may be deemed nee
ssary for their use. entertainment and
omfort; also for affording facilities Tor
,ymnastic exercises and proper games.
after the expenses Of the canteen are met {
he profits are distributed among the {
roOps for their benefit.
There Is at nearly every military post in I
he country a library and reading room. in l
which IS kept a good assortment OF books, '
magazines and periodicals.
There are also post schools where soldisrs {
rho 50 desire can obtain, free OF cost, g I
air English education. I
Whenever soldier is honorably dis |
harged at the expiration Of his enlist {
lent, or on account OF sickness. MS pay Is |
mple to carry him to the place Of enlist Z
leut.
The pay Of cavalry man for the first l
vo years Is $50. the third year sl6S, the {
orth year $50 sud the fifth year sl92
From the first years pay, IS given above
! per month Is retained which, Will be
aid 70 the soldier upon discharge. pro z
ided be has served honestly and faith f
ally. The sums thus etaiued viii De a
-eated as deposits upon which interest at U
he IA, Of per cent. per anuum viii De r
ard from the end of the year OF the e
oldier's enlistment in which they have C
ccrued- =
The soldier can deposit his savings II q
ANS not less than s. with the army paw