The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-01
A cEsTER FOR RECRUITING.
Seattle Sub-Depot-First Man Sent Out
Careful Selections.


Lieutenant W. P. Goodwin, of the Four
tenth regiment, in charge of the Seattle
recruiting station, has nearly completed
his preparations to open business at his
Office. 81 and IS Boston block. He has
received bids for furniture and supplies
and will1nske his purchases this week
He has rented ten-room house on South
Seventh street, one door from Yesler ave-
nue., where he will quarter recruits until
they have received sufficient training to
be drafted off to the different regiments.
He sent his first recruit away on Friday
night. His name is Otto J. Tosch, and he
is assigned to Troop E, Fourth cavalry, at
Boise barracks, Idaho, where he will be
employed as teacher.
This is the only rendezvous for recruits
on the Coast besides San Francisco. and is
the only rendezvous in the country
for recruits for both the gen.
eral and mounted service. 1t has
also been created sub-depot
where recruits are instructed and whence
they are drafted off to the different regi-
ments. From the rendezvous at the prin-
cipal centers of population the recruits are
sent at weekly intervals to one of the three
general depots. The principal depot is at
David's island, in New York harbor, the
one for the general service is at Columbus
barracks, Ohio, and the one for mounted
service at Jefferson barracks, St. Louis.
At these depots the men are instructed in
the rudiments of the military art for not
less than three months, and from time to
time drafted of to the regiments. as d.
rected by Colonel Otis, superintendent Of
the recruiting service whose headquarters
are in the army building in New York
city. At this sub-depot Lieutenant Good
win will have the assistance Of four nom
commissioned officers. One of these,
Corporal Frank II. Lawton, of Com
pany +, Fourteenth infantry, is al
ready on duty here, being a
resident of Seattle and having
enlisted from one of the local militia COM
panies. One will be detailed from the
Fourth infantry, at Fort Sherman. Idaho.
one from the Fourth cavalry at Walla
Walla, and one from the Fifth artillery
The establishment of the rendezvous
and sub-depot at this city is the result of
Lieutenant Goodwin's previous success in
securing recruits here for the Fourteenth
infantry alone, and of his consequently
strong recommendations of the place to
the adjutant general. He said TO a Posi-
INTELLIGENCE reporter yesterday:
We are very careful in our selection of men.
They must be not only strong and sound physi-
cally, but of good moral character There has
been an impression that enlhtiDg is the last re-
sort of 8 man for s living, but We do not take
anybody, and refuse frsrnps at first sight.
During the month Of March only 40 recruits
were enlisted for the whole army. We
only need about 500 recruits q year,
and. We have 65,0o0.000 people
to choose from, we can afford to be particular.
When was here before physically examined
$50 men besides those turned away at first
sight. and only took thir,y-fve.
Every recruit involves considerable expense
to the government before he is ready for the
service. Until lately men have been sent from
the East 70 the Western posts and every ore of
them costs the government about $50, for they
always travel frst-class The men sent from
here 10 the posts on the Coast only cost about
81 each and can get all the good men we
want out here. Every deserter costs the gov
eminent sbou; $500 by the time he is replaced
by new man.