The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-06
A SHORT SCARE.
goth Kansas Frightened When
> They Thought They
We're to Be Sent to Arizona In
stead of Manila.
WAS ALMOST A MUFFIN
At the Prospect, But the Blow
Doesn't Fall.
The Kansas Troops Will TO TO
the Philippines.
WAS ALMOST MUFFIN

San Francisco, June 1.-The last ing
erIng doubt as to whether the Kansas
troops would be sent to Manila or re-
tained for garrison duty in Arizona
vanished today Col. Little was or
dered to report with payrolls TO the
paymaster who dealt solely with troops
slated for the Philippines.
While there a California regimental
colonel applied on a similar mission.
He was informed by the U S paymast-
er that he was in the wrong quarters
only troops for Manila were being paid
there
An amusing incident in this connec-
ton happened in the headquarters tent
this afternoon, in the presence of Ma
jor Whitman and Adjutant DeFord.
b Major Bell of the U. S. army force
entered the tent and inquired of Col.
Little if he and his men wouldn'
rather go to Arizona than
take the long disagreeabIe ocean voy-
age to Manila. Major Bell then added,
that he mad been instructed to go among
the volunteers and get their idea of the
matter.
For a moment Col Little's face was a
blank. Then he promptly added, "A
soldiers duty is to go where is sent,
but if it is left to the Kansas men we
will never be sent to Arizona Major
w nlITnan DruSQQElN aQQeQ- 10 - " III
Arizona III never go there to be
cOOped up in some old fort doing only
dry garrison duty.
Adjutant DeFord declared he would
resign first. Go to that land of sand
and cactus. Never"
General Bell simply remarked: Gen
tlemen 1 guess 1 will have to look
farther" and took his departure.
As a matter of fact California troops
are slated for the place and are using
every influence to avoid the move.
The men have been busy today tax
ing care of their new blue uniforms,
hats, shoes, guns, ETC., just received.
The rifles are of the Springfield pat
tern and bear the date of 1878, but are
good serviceable weapon.
The Kansas troops are now thorough
ly equipped. They were given brown
canvas suits for Manila wear yesterday.
They are simply overall goods and a
trooper in one of them might easily be
taken for a farm hand going afield or
a section hand.
Tomorrow Will be payday and there is
a general rejoicing among the troops.
Great satisfaction is expressed at the
appointment of Major Hudson. L
heard many soldiers declare that they
hoped he would be sent to the Philip
pines.
Nine men are now in the hospital but
! one of them dangerously sick. One of
worst cases in camp is Bently of
Coffeyville, DR.. Huffman informs me
that his condition is really serious.
The sanitary regulations of the camp
are in splendid order and the TnajOrityOf
the cases are bad colds with touch
of pneumonia. The measles is about
stamped out. Some of the men seem
unable to stand drill and grow dizzy
and topple over but soon recover.
As matter of fact many of the men
seem unable to get acclimated and they
are given pretty stiff drill just now, too.
Chaplain ]. C. Schliemann has in
vented a patent tent fastener for the
wall tents of which he is very proud
and which is really of merit. 1t is
warranted to keep out the trade winds
and Sitting sand. 1t consists of snap
and ring ingeniously arranged.
The artist of the camp has proven to
be Flock of Osawatomie. The tents of
Co l are decorated with pictures of
soldiers, women guests and mimic
scenes of war that attract much atten-
tion. One of his best efforts is a sold
fer saluting a lady visitor, she with up
raised hand presentiGg a bouquet of
flowers. Each day a big bunch of real
flowers is pinned in the lady's hand. It's
a bright idea
ence last night that he will remember
# a few hours in the guard house are
A1y induCement. He decided to run the
IA ard as the night was dark and rainy.
End 'twould be an easy matter. He
failed to notice Col Little, however,
who was prOwhng around in his long
macintosh
The moment the guards back was
turned the Lawrence man Ieaped the
fence and lit running. Col Little
promptly did the same thing and after
a spirited chase overhauled his man
and marched the crestfallen K. S. u
back to camp
Major Whitman left tonight for To-
peka to muster enough additional men
to bring the present quota of volunteers
up to regular standard which is about
log rather than 81 to each company as
is the case with the Kansas volunteers
here. This was done at the request of
Governor Leedy to Col Little who in
turn received permission of Gen. Mer-
rift.
The Salina-AbiIene troops do the
generous thing by their cook. Each
soldier donates Is cents a month to-
wards a salary for him. a cooks life
in camp is far from pleasant and Uncle
Sam doesn't make any extra allowance
for it, either.
1t now looks as though we would get
away to Manila about June g.. Every
effort is being made to rush matters.
AS the Kansas soldiers are equipped
they will undoubtedly be sent to the
front with the first transports. of which
there are three about ready.