The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-12
He WAS SHOCKED
TomIinson of Kansas Regiment
Accused of DeSertion.
BY ERROR OF TRANSFER
Was Ordered to Join Iowa
Signal Corps.

George P. Tomlinson. a lineman, at pres
ent working for the Missouri and Kansas
Telephone company in this city. received
a shock from the seat of government
few days ago from which he has not yet
fully recovered. When the war broke
out between this country and Spain Mr..
Tomlinson was one Of the first to volun-
teer his services IN defense Of his coun-
try and he enlisted in the Twenty-frst
Kansas volunteers at the first call for
troops. He is row technically stamped
a deserter. through no faux of his own
After the troops were sent 70 Camp
Thomas, in the south, Tomlinson being
an experienced hnernan. was transferred
to the Twelfth Iowa signal corps, and
by some mistake in making out the trans
fer papers MS name was spelled George
2. Thomas. When the error was discov-
cred after some weeks, he was again
transferred back TO the rolls OF the Twen-
ey-nrst Kansas and ordered 20 report 70
his captain at Leavenworth. Kan. for
inspection and mastering out. When Tom
hnson got TO his destination the regi-
officers and men had scattered over the
state, and he was left the only one rep
resenting the Twenty-frst regiment of
Kansas volunteers. Tomlinson appealed
to Major Anger of the Fourth cavalry
for advice. and ne told him to go home,
thinking there was no further need Of his
remaining around the fort. TomIinson
came to his home in Wichita and went
TO work at his old trade. but all the time
keeping his uniform on, believing that
something might happen and he would
be obliged TO report sooner or later for
duty. Last Saturday week he received
a telegram from Greeley. chief Of the
United States signal corps, asking MIN
by what authority are you in Wichita?
Answer Immediately" signed by the chief
himself Tomlinson was completely
knocked off the Christmas tree to use
his own expression. He Immediately
rushed message to his former captain,
who was at Winfield, Kan. and also
communicating with the department at
Washington advising them to get what
informa ton they could from Major Anger
at Leavenworth. Kan. The gentlemen
did what they could, but the Washington
authorities wanted more and better ex-
cuse, and another wire came to Tomlinson
stating that there was no record TO be
found in the department of re-transfer
TO the Twenty-frst Kansas, and also
stating that so far as the signal Office
was concerned Tomlinson was in the po-
sition of a deserter. and asking him to
forward number and date of the order
transferring him. ToTnlinson had neither
and the situation began 10 get quite seri-
GUS for ne expected every hour some
United States deputy marshal would place
the heavy hand Of the law upon his Shout
der and march him off to a dungeon. The
wires were kept hot for two days By
TOmlinson and his captain communicating
with the authorities at Washington and
for the present matters have quoted
down, but Tomhnson has been feeling a
little uneasy over the unpleasant situa-
ton, as it is said a United States secret |
service man has been keeping him under |
his surveillance Tor several days. follow
ing him from place To place. awaiting in
structions from Washington before tax
ing any steps in the matter before it is !
fully explained. Mr.. Tomlinson was seen
yesterday by a reporter for the Eagle and
the facts told by him We're about as stated |
above, with the exception that Mr.. Tom /
linson was of the opinion that he would |
receive his discharge in a few days or be |
ordered to report back to the Twelfth |
Iowa signal corps. He said the whole |
trouble has been through the clerks error |
in writing my name Thomas, having the |
name of the camp pretty well fixed in his |
mind, instead of writing it Tomiinson.