Arizona republican., 1899-03-26
ROUGH RIDER SQUEBBLE
Happy Jack Replies 10 Editor A. D.
 wcbb'S Recent SfTiCfureS.

The Republican some time ago copied the opinion of Editor A. D. Webb of the Safford Arizonian, and a Rough Rider regarding Charles Hodgdon, otherwise known as Happy Jack Mir. Webb's views which were highly un complimentary, were called cut by es- pecial praise given Happy Jack" by Col. Roosevelt in a sereis of articles now running in Scribher's. A reply controve1tfng MT Webb's statements was received at this office from Cap tain Frantz of Troop A, Rough Riders, and now comes a letter from MT. Hogdon himself saying some uncom- plimentary things about MT. Webb.
 TO the Editor of The Re publican, Sir: In your issue of the 18th instant, 1 think you have exceeded the prcplieties in giving publicity to Uncalled for scurrilcuS abuse of the undersigned. In doing this you quote one A. D. Webb as authority for -rour unjust attack upon my pri- Vate character. This pre-eminent Ananias, alias Webb, is sorely dis gruntled because no particular notice was ever taken of him, either as a sol
 
 ian after his discharge from that body No doubt had the fellow been con spicuOus figure CmOng the Rough Riders or received any favorable notice from his distinguished commanding officer he would perhaps, have net ex- h1DIted his sore spots to the public view. However, it is perhaps best as it is, for had Webb received such notice it would have brought on such a ease of big head that our territory large as it is would not be large enough to hold his head and all. l wish to say in this connection that never lad the doubt ful honor of meeting the (un) dis tinguished Webb until we met as members of the same regiment.
 During Eny service ID the war as an humble representative member of the Rough Riders I tried to do my duty as soldier. I never avoided duty however arduous or dangerous, nor dIsObeyed an order from my superior officer. When a call was made for volunteers to take part in ., most dan Gerous position I had thc honor to De one of the fourteen who volunteered for that duty; and, it is needless to say. no 'Annanias' was among the number COmrade Frank Van SickIen and my self were the two who volunteered rom A troop. At the tune the cal for volunteers was made by Col. Roose- yelt l was near enough to hear Cen eral Wood remark to our colonel. That Is dsath trap Neverthe eless, thir- teen others and myself volunteered to take post in General Weeds desig- mated death trap. I am proud of the fact that both General Wood and Col. Roosevelt personally knows that your humble servant was one of the four teen who volunteered for the death trap. My gallant colonel, the present governor of New York. can testify that Happy Jack was at all times found on the firing line, unless orders took him elsewhere.
 Now, MT. Editor, I do not wish to engage in a newspaper controversy. in which would be at a still greater dis advantage than when stationed in the aforesaid death trap but 1 have writ ten this with the hope, as you were so alert to print something bad of Happy Jack, that you would with equal aIac- rity publish word in his favor, even though it be written by the traduced AS to the facts herein given, my sll- DSI1or officers, aS also many of the best men in the regiment, can and will corrOborate the above statement of facts. In the matter of fearless bray cry under fire, there never was in any country or at any time a braver set. of fellows gotten together. than were in the organization known tc history as the Rough Riders.
 yours respectfully,
 HAPPY JACK"