The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-14
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF
FORT SNELLING,s DE RIGUEUR
RECRUIT.
REGISTERED AT THE RYAN,
BUT DID NOT STOP THERE AND
CAN NOT BE LO-
GATED.
BERRY WALL OF THE GARRIsO,
Dfsappears as Completely as Though
the Earth Had Swallowed Him
Friends Ask u Search.

Third United States Infantry. at Fit.
Smelling. John Wallace Douglas, the
gentleman recruit, is missing. The
Globe of May 6 told Of John Wallace
Douglas enlistment. He served Uncle
Sam twenty-four days, and hen quiet
ly slid way. The garrison is now puz-
Zling over the mysterious recruit and
wishing that he had been noticed more
carefully while he lasted.
The passing of John Wallace Doug
las, of Company D, is one of the most
sensational events the company mas
had for many months. 1t has set the
garrison talking and the officers 11gur-
ing. April 20 a handsomely dressed
man of perhaps thirty years OF
entered the recruiting office at the fort
and asked for permission to enlist. The
recruiting officer looked up in a
ment at the man who stood before
him. The stranger persisted that he
wanted to join the army, and the re-
cruiting officer asked him the usual
questions.
His name was John Wallace Doug
las. His home was in washington.
His habits were good. He was not
married. His height was five feet
eleven. He weighed about Ito pounds
and was in good physical condition.
"Why do you want to enlist?" asked
the officer.
because all of my college class
| mates have joined the army and Sc
cured commissions. I dc not seem to
have enough influence to secure a
----- I'D oo, 1ntGrpoipn6 tO PTl.
list as a private and work up from
the ranks. 1 do not propose to be lett
behind by my classmates"
That's l~audable," admitted the re-
cruiting officer.
John Wallace Douglas was every
inch a gentleman and a man. He
wore a fashionable black Prince Albert
coat, polished shoes, q silk hat, latest
tie and carried a cane. Altogether he
was the hottest thing in the way or
a recruit tina the officer had ever seen.
But he was booked just the same as
the most ordinary recruit and assigned
to d company.
John Wallace Douglas was ordered
to report to Capt. Gerloch for duty.
When the captain saw his new fighter
he threw UP his hands in sheer as
constituent. The nan before him was
a tailor-made gentleman. But military
rules allowed of no %invidious distinc-
tons and the dapper recruit was as
signed to the awkward squad to COM
mence his novitiate, with gun, bayoner,
etc.
Can't. Gerloch says he never. had a
| mere apt pupil. Douglas, as he called
himself, was one Of the most apt
| pupils the garrison ever sheltered. He
was willing to learn and had no false
pride. He was affable with tie men.
told them stories Of travel and Incl
dent. and could converse huently upon
any subject brought up. He was a
skilled pianist, and in this way fur
| nished amusement for the members of
D company. At the, end Of ten days
Private John Wallace Douglas was
ready to go out on company drill. The
company tailor had not yet gotten his
| uniform ready, so Douglas appeared
in his shop clothes. He made a hit.
Things ran smoothly until about a
week ago. Douglas was the talk Of
the garrison, out had acted in such
| a natural, calm and pleasant manner
that there was no suspicion of the
sensation that was coming.
April 8, Private Douglas appeared
before his captain and gave a neat
salute. "Sir, I have to inform you
that I have influential connections in
Washington who within ten days will
| secure for me the appointment Of pay
master, with the rank of colonel. At
the end of that time I will, Of course,
drop out Of your company"
you don't tell me-" replied the captain.
| rather family. eff you knew you were go
ing to be appointed paymaster, why did you
enlist?"
'Well, because I wanted to work my way
up without influence. 1t would be more to my
credit
Capt. Gerloch knew that there was no
vacancy in the office of paymaster, and his
suspicious were aroused that everything was
not right. From that day on Douglas con-
tinued to talk of his forthcoming appointment,
and the news soon spread over the barracks.
Douglas was looked upon with mingled
| fairy tales became so decidedly off color that
Capt Gerloch decided to keep a very close
! watch Of the fashionable private. Last week
Private Douglas asked permission to go
down to the army building to consult with
Col. Sheridan. The new recruit informed his
captain that Col. Sheridan knew of his forth
coming appointment and was watching devei-
opInents for him. Permission was given the
man to visit the city. He visited Col. Sheri-
dan and told the same story about his forth
coming appointment as paymaster. The COL
onel noticed something wrong about the fell
low, and watched him.. When Private Douglas
returned to the fort, Capt. Gerloch decided to
test his new soldier. He asked Douglas to
show some documents which would prove his
identity and his claims. Douglas Informed the
captain that he had left all his letters with Col.
Sheridan down town, but this proved to be
false.
Things came to a head Tuesday. Private
John Wallace Douglas asked permission to
come down to town on business and permis-
sion was given, more for the purpose Of
watching his movements. His pass gave him
permission to remain out until 10 o'clock.
Late that afternoon a very stylish equipage
swept up the macadam boulevard in front Of
the officers quarters. A coachman in a buff
uniform pulled up a pair of prancing steeds
and Private John Wallace Douglas, in the
full glory of his black Prince Albert and silk
hat, alighted and went in to see his captain,
He wanted an extension Of time so that he
could remain down town until the next morn
ing, but upon being refused he promised to be
back on time. He went back, as he said,
to dismiss his carriage and coachman, but
that was last seen at the fort Of Private John
Wallace Douglas.
In the meantime Capt. Gerloch had been
busy. His new private did not appear right
in his upper story. He had made illusions to
a host of influential friends and relatives in
Cen Flagler and others. Douglas had tele-
graphed to one person in Washington, and
securing the address Capt. Ger1och had wired
an inquiry about Douglas, limiting that he
was insane. He received a reply from a lady
in Washington, saying particulars would fol-
low by letter Immediately, and in due time
a communication was received, saying that
Douglas was undoubtedly insane, and asking
the captain to make arrangements to send him
to an asylum. But In the meantime Douglas
had gone to parts unknown.
On leaving the fort, Douglas came down
town and registered at the Hotel Aberdeen.
He also went to the Ryan, where he registered
York" The supposed party were assigned
to Rooms 14 and 156, but neither Douglas
or the mythical ladies ever put in an appear
| ance. That was the last seen of the gentle