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.
LaFollette Monday and requested a
statement from him concerning his
trip to San Francisco to meet the
South Dakota soldiers. Mr.. La.
Toilette said:
II enjoyed the trip very mech, it,
being my first visit to the Pacific
coast, and the mission which took
me owe there to assist in welcom-
ing the return of our brave soldier
boys on behalf of the state was also
4 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 it. In fact
everyone that ! cOnvCrscd 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 say
the sevcnty-fivc who re enlisted
done so in nearly every instance as
a business proposition, because the
travel pay Of from $500 to $500 was
more of all inducement than to re-
turn to this country with no en-
ployment in sight. You asked me
how Gov. Lee was received and |
say to you tina every man in lhr
regiment vas glad to shake INN
by the hand and 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. The boys were some.
what reticent in expressing their
views about the policy Of the ID
miuistration until they are out Of
the service, but said when :hey got
home they you'd be at liberty to
say what they thought i'll terms thai
would be fully understood.
"Of course I viii freely give YOU
the facts regarding the trouble be-
tween Col. Frost, Lieutenant Colo
mel Slower, Major Warne and
Lieutenant Bates, which lead up to
their arrest 50 fal as seems proper
at this time. There had been some
personal disagreements while in the
Philippines between Col. Frost,
Slower and Major Warnc, and while
returning home at II of the Japan
ports The Sioux Falls Press was
received with a published letter in
1T from Major Warnc, which caused
Col. Frost to arrest him, and later
to arrest Lieutenant Bates and g
sergeant and a private or two fol
similar letters that appeared i,
newspapers that were received or
board ship. Lieutenant Colonel
. Slower was not arrested for letter
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 fount
considerable hostility in the 'egi
+ ment and knowing the gallant rec
, ord the regiment had made they
, did not feel it just and proper to a.
low the courtmartial proceedings tt
90 on and if in their power to ad
just it, it was their duty to do 50
Congressman Burke and Gamble
$ Mr.. johnson, Mr.. Stewart an(
myself fully discussed the matter
from all it's bearings and from non
political standpoint with all the
officers directly interested in tn"
c"urtmartial proceedings, including
Gen. Shafter, and it was finally
deemed prudent by all hands for The
parties arrested to write letters O
apology and Col. Frost to Withdraw
the charges and revoke his owl
official orders. In the minds O
, those present who had taken tn
trouble to look up the law and rule;
of the war department regardiu!
courtmartial proceedings it vas
very close question hut what Col
Frost could have secured q verdict
and if he did so the parties woul'
have been dishonorabj> discharges
. and their back pay and two month
= advanced pay would have been stop
" : ped which in the case Of Lieutenau
Colonel Slower and Major Warn
amounted to between 81, 200 AM
81, 800 each. The regiment woul'
have been held in the service pend
ing the hearing, which would hav
y been weeks and POSSIBLY months
In view of all these facts everybod,
:. including the officers and men of tn
! REGIMENT. feel the best and prOne