Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-25

? 04t0 ~O0t8s" Gas = ~
There was q notable gathering at the
Midland hotel last night, when the semi
annual banquet Of the Kansas City alumni
chapter OF the Beta Theta ri college fra
tefnity was held. Prominent men from all
parts Of the county were present. and the
evening was enlivened by some very inter-
esting speeches. John w. Snyder made an
admirable toastmaster. his clever and witty
introductions keeptng things on the 90 sf
all times.
Colonel J. L. Torrsy. of Rough Rider
fame. was the guest of honor Of the even
ing, and he spoke for an hour Of his ex-
periences in Cuba and throughout the late
war. He started his effort with q review
OF his college life, and told how he had OBJ
served that the index Of the boy at the
university was the index OF the man. A
most interesting part Of his speech was the
interview he had with President Mckinley
shortly after war was declared. He went
to Washington for the purpose Of seeing II
the government wanted any regiments
from the Western prairies. He said to the
president:
I'VE can get 1000 men OF the plains for
you. They don't know much about mill
itary tactics. but they can fight like h"
Well" returned the president. smiling.
Il expect that's what we'll need before We
get through. You say a regiment? Why
not q brigade:''
"A brigade is there II you want them
did you say they'd have to be mount
ed?" inquired Mr.. Mckinley.
Mounted. Of course. Give the boys q
rope. horse and the opportunity and
they'll bring the herd with them"
AS result Of this conversation. three
regiments-S.00 men-were raised. and
fought nobly for their country throughout
the Cuban campaign. And each of these
regiments cost $750.O00 to equip. In raising
them. the regulations as to height and size
were waived. and in consequence Torrey's
men had an average height OF over six
feet
"The men suffered great DEAL" said
Colonel Torrey, but they were largely to
In that torrid climate they acted just as
If they were in the pure air and fine cli-
mate OF the great plains of the great
tns At HIM there be was trouble in get
body was to blame for It. It was just
impossible to get the supplies to the front:
~. And there was some bad meat. too:
There The . is p no doubt OF 1T that & But then 1t It
about to it. oe could nos be thas
We had bad meat, spoiled, but We just
Threw II away. some OF tn6 1reSh meat
we traded for salt meat. And most Of the
sickness, at least that under my observa-
tion, that came from this source was en-
tirely attributable to the way the men
cared for themselves. Much eating OF
will make anybody SICK
Colonel Torrey then answered many
questions In regard to the war, and when
| he sat down he was accorded an ovation
| He was followed by Rev. Mr.. z. N. Allen
pastor Of the Cumberland Presbyterian
| church. Professor Erasmus v. Haworth
| who occupies the chair of geology at the
| kansas university. and who has been q
Beta for twenty years: Hugh Richards, OF
| Los Angeles. Cal: and Attorney James
| Black. Of this city.
Those present were: Edwin E. Carroll
Lawrence; Addison Houck. Lawrence; La
cey NJ. Simpson, Lawrence; Robert H
Bradford: LswTsnes; Sidney ": Ggigssz
| Cross. Lawrence: Hugh T. Richards. 10:
| Angeles. CAL; ]. NJ. CLANCY. Independ
ence. No; J: N. Beasley. G. NJ. Thomas
Russell r. Whitman. r. D. Brown, T. c
| Sparks, Rush G. Lake, George T. Cook
Joseph A. Guthrie. Garrett Ellison. DR.
| H. c. Hays. E.. A. Neel, E. N. Allen. L
w. Snyder, E. r. Marvin. R. r. Gentry
James Black, James G. Smith, T. NJ. Rob
erts. Adam Hill. w. H. Hill, Elmer N
| Powell.