The times., 1897-06-28
YOUNG PHIL TO WEST POINT
Fifty Years After His Father He
Enters the Academy.
MRS. SHERIDAN'S FOND WISH
The President Expressed Great
Pleasure in Giving the Appuint-
ment TO the Son D I an Old Friend
and MucE-Admfred Cleve-
land Had Refused II.

The choice of young Philip IL. Sheridan
by President Mckinley for an appoin ntrnent
at West Point is said to have gratified
the greatest wish of Mrs. Sheridan's life.
During all the years since the death or
Gen. Sheridan his widow had cherished
this desire as she devoted herself to the
education of her two boys.
As is well known, President Cleveland
denied her request for the appointment
during the closing days OF his adIninistra-
tion, though others as well as the widow
of Gen. Sheridan joined with her in the
application. He did not make his reasons
very clear and there was considerable
comment on his action at the time.
The appointment from President Nc
Kinley comes in time TO allow young
Phil to enter the academy on the golden
anniversary of his fathers entrance at
West Point.
Gen Sheridan entered the grounds OF
West Point shortly before noon on the
morning OF July / 1S4S- Young Philip
Sheridan will report at the Military Acad-
emy ca July 1, 1898.
Soon after President Mckinley assumed
office, and only short time after the
refusal of President Cleveland, the at
tention OF the new Executive was called
to Mrs Sherdan's wish. Major McIiin-
lev and Gen. Sheridan had been warm per
sonal friends ever since the war, and
the President mas great admiration
for Sheridan as soldier. In the early
part of y pril he sent for Mrs Sheridan
and said To her:
IF can do an ything for you or your two
boys, just say the woId and il stall be
done. L would esteem it a rare privilege
to honor the memory of Phl Sfendan.''
II have not one favor TO ask Of you she
replied, land if that 5 g,antedl viii be
the happiest woman in this broad land.
i want to have my eldest boy go TO West
FONT on the golden anniversary OF my hus-
hands appointment as cadet ] am
afraid, though, it is too late to satisfy my
ambition"
well" reIilied the President, '.if j can
do il, the fiftieth anniversary OF your
husbands appointment 10 West + oint shall
be honored by the entrance Of another
Philip II Sheridan to the nations II. Hilary
school. / hore the career of tie ron VII
he no less meTitoriGus than that OF his en-
inent father
Mr.. Mckinley kept his word. Last
"Wednesday morning she called at the Ex-
ecutive Mansion 10y appointment, received
from the President her son IS selection for
cadetship, ard herself filed with the Sec
retary of War the Official documents.
A dramatic incident In the life OF
Philip Sheridan at West Point is recalled
at this time partly because it accounts for
bis failure to graduate in So, four years
from his entrance.
In his second year at the academy, while
on the parade ground one afternoon, an
upper classrnan spoke To him in a rather
naughty manner. Without saying q word
Phil stepped ont of the ranks, calmly laid
down his arms, and politely stretched the
imptrtinent sergeant on .the grassy drill
ground He was court martialed and sus-
pended for a year.
The younger Phil Sheridan resembles his
father In many ways He is inclined to be
short and stout, is generous and possesses
all the pugnacious traits OF his father when
his ire is aroused. He is good studen, and
shows an aptitude for scientific studies.
He bas been carefully trained under the
watchful eve OF his mother, and his friends
predict d brilliant career for him Mt his
fathers alma mater.