Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-28

Topeka, April 27.-CSpecial) The hrst
company of Kansas volunteers will be re-
cruited at Kansas City, kas., tomorrow.
Colonel Fred Funston, accompanied by Ad-
jutant William Defo-d and Surgeon Wal
tiers, of the First regiment will go there
tonight, and at S o'clock tomorrow morn
ing will open the recruiting station at
Armory hail. at Fifth street and State ave-
nue.. Colonel Funston says that it will
take about six hours to recruit the COM
many of ninety-four enlisted men. The
men will then meet and elect their company
officers, from captain down to corporals.
They will be given permission to elect OIL
GERS either from the ranks or outside. In
case they elect from the ranks, new re-
cruits will be taken in to fill the vacancies
thus created.
Colonel Funston and his recruiting force
will go to Lawrence Friday and Fort Scott
Saturday.
Governor Leedy at noon to-day finally
selected Topeka as the point to rendezvous
the Kansas troops. Kansas City, kas.,
was first selected by the war department
and then Fort Leayenworth was subsu-
tuted This morning the governor was
notified that If for any reason the latter
place was Objectionable to him, he could
select the point himself. He selected To-
peka.
Major General Charles McCrum, of the
state militia, was appointed to organize
the camp. 1t will be established on the
fair grounds. McCrum will stake off the
grounds at once and begin putting up the
tents which the state has on hand. Nc
Crum says that he has enough tents to
accommodate three regiments, kansas
quota.
Major McCrum will have charge OF the
camp and will drill the men until they are
turned over to the federal government.
Governor Leedy to-day received mes
sage from the war department notifying
him that he could organize the Kansas
troops to suit himself. while the depart
ment prefers the enlistment of national
guards" the message stated, you are at
liberty to use your own Judgment"
With this license from the war depart
ment the governor proceeded In vigorous
manner to carry out his plan to disorganize
the Kansas national guards. He immedi-
ately ordered the following telegram sent
to the captain of every Kansas regiment:
You will carefully pack all army cloth
ing and equipage belonging to the state
or federal government at once, and send
them direct to the adjutant generals de-
partment at Topeka. Send two invoices and
two receipts with EACH"
The message was signed by ]. w. Leedy
as commander-in-chief, and II. n. Boyd as
assistant adjutant general.
This step completely disarms the militia.
IT was .aken to block the plan of the ma
tional guards TO enlist direct. They had
planned TO tender their services to the gov
ernment ard enlist as regiments, In the
event that the governor refused TO recog-
ni.e them. but all of their arms have been
taken away, and now they will have TO
take their chances along with the volun-
tcers in getting in.
Colonel Funston favored the enlistment
of The guards by companies. There are
twenty companies in the state, and he
thought it would be Il good plan to put
one-third of them in each regiment, and
then fill up the remainder with volunteers.
But that plan didn't suit Leedy. 1t meant
that he could not have enough places for
his favorites. So he, turned down Fun
ston's suggestion. His action completely
dsorganized the national guard of Kansas.
? Major j.. X. Hudson urged the governor
TO enlist the Kansas national guards into
e one regiment, and make II the First Kan
sas regiment; then make up the other two
. regiments with volunteers. But this would
+. not enable'the governor to appoint enough
majors, colonsls and adjutants.
. by all means the guards should have
. been enlisted into one regiment" said Ma
jor Hudson to-day They should have
been permitted TO keep their present Off
GERS. They have some military training
and would. no doubt. have done credit to
the state. The governor has made a mis-.
take, in my Judgment
4 delegation of Topeka business men
after reading the morning dispatches stat
ing that the war department would per
nit the governors TO select points for rem
devious of troops in case the ones selected
by The department We're unsatisfactory
called upon Governor Leedy at his offic,
and urged him TO select Topeka as til,
place TO rendezvous the Kansas troops.
Well, gentlemen, ] have wired the wal
department for permission TO Use the bar
racks at Fort Learenworth, and ii ] ge
there said the governor. 1t would be ;
great thing to have the use of the bar
racks.
Great Scott" remarked a member of tn
delegation who has had military expe
reLco. you should never select barracll
10 put the troops in. Establish cam
and require them TO live in tents an,
cook in the open air: get them familia
with army life as soon as possible
TIL. governor paused moment and then
In all earnestness, asked:
What would the troops do IL II rained?
Five recruiting officers have already bee
named and ordered 20 posts of duty Col
one! Funston will do the recruiting in III
First and Second congressional districts
James Graham will attend 10 the work
the Fourth district; Adjutant General ALE
in the Third district; Assistant Adjutar
General Boyd in the Fifth and Sixth; "
l.. Brown in the Seventh. E. c. Little wa
appointed recruiting officer also, but h
declined to accept. He says there is TO
much work in the governors office
warrant him in leaving.
The Information was given out this afte
noon by one in high authority that Charlie
McCrum would be appointed colonel of OF
of the Kansas regiments. He is Popl
list. In case Overmyer takes colonelc
this will give each party one. In the a.