The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-09-29
That Frost Warnc R, ket.


A representative Of The Sioux
Falls Press called on Hon. W. T.
LaFoliette Monday and requested a
statement from him concerning his
trip TO San Francisco to meet the
South Dakota soldiers. Mr.. La.
Toilette said:
Il enjoyed the trip very mech, it,
being my first visit to the Pacific
coast, and the mission which took
me over there to assist in wclcom-
ing the return of cur brave soldier
boys on behalf of the state was also
a pleasure because the soldiers
seemed TO greatly appreciate the
effort on behalf Of the state in their
interest. The boys were more than
pleased TO again be on their native
soil, and while they do not regret
the great experience they have had
the past sixteen months, none OF
them are to repeat 1t. In fact
everyone that | cUnvcrscd vita said
he wanted no more soldering and
that the emergency would indeed be
great if they ever volunteered again
for service n the war. Tney u
the seventy-five who re enlisted
done so in nearly every instance as
a business proposition, because the
travelpay of from $500 to $500 was
more Of AN inducemcnt than to re-
turn to this country with no en-
plovment in sight. You asked me
how Gov. Lee was received and
say to you tina every nan in III"
regiment was glad TO shake INN
by the hand aud he was Justify
cheered by the veterans after making
his five minute speech Of welcom,
as the chief executive Of the state.
They all appreciate his letter to
the president requesting their re-
turn to the state and none Of them
regret signing the resolutions thank,
ing him for his timely letter in
their interest. Tn" boys were >omr.
what rcticcnt in expressing tn IT.
views about the policy Of the aG-
ministratiou until they are out Of
the service. but said when :hey got
home they would be at liberty t,
say what they thought in terms tina,
would be fully understood.
"Of course I will freely give YOU
the facts regarding the trouble be
tween Col. Frost, Lieutenant Colo.
mel Slower, Major Warne ant
Lieutenant Bates, which lead up tt
their arrest so fal as seems proper
at this time. There had been some
personal disagreemcnts while in the
Philippines between Col. Frost
Slower and Major Warne, and while
returning home at n of the Japar
g ports The Sioux Falls Press wa:
I received with a published letter il
1t from Major Warne, which causee
e Col. Frost to arrest him, and late
e to arrest Lieutenant Bates and
sergeant and q private or two fU
similar letters that appeared il
newspapers that were received O.
. board ship. Lieutenant Colone
% Slower was not arrested for lette
( writing, but it was alleged he die
tated some of those that were writ
ten. When the committee from tn
state arrived at Frisco they foun
# considerable hostility in the 'ey
# ment and knowing the gallant rec
ord the regiment had made the
did not feel it just and proper to a
low the cOurtmartial proceedings
90 on and if in their power to az
just it, it was their duty to do sc
n, Congressman Burke and Gaubl,
Is Mr.. johnson, Mr.. Stewart an
y myself fully discussed the matte
from all it's bearings and from nor
political standpoint with all tn
officers directly interested in tn
cnurtmartial proceedings, inc}udin
;. Gen. Shafter, and it Va tin;lI
- deemed prudent by all hands for tt
parties arrested to write letters
apology and Col. Frost to withdra
=. the charges and revoke his ow
:, official orders. In the minds
those present who had taken tt
-, trouble to look up the law and rul'
of the war department regardil
! courtmartial proceedings it was
~ very close question hut what &C
Frost could have secured a verde
and if he did so the parties won
have been dishonorab)l djsGharg'
- and their back pay and two mont
advanced pay would have been sto
f rs ped which in the ease Of LieutenaI
t' Colonel Slower and Major War
amounted to between $1,000 al
ST, 800 each. The regiment wou
have been held in the service pen
1T lug the hearing, which would ha'
ly been weeks amt POSSIBLY month
~ In view of all these facts everybo(
f. including the officers and men Of Il
ed regiment, feel the best and prop