The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-19
COL. FuNsToN's STRANGE CAREER
Although Young Man, He Has Had
Many Remarkable Adventures.

From the New York Sun.
Colonel Frederick Funston, who led
the three companies of the Kansas regi-
ment in their gallant charge against
the Fllpinos last Tuesday, is one of
the youngest colonies in the United
States army. He is % years old.
Colonel Funston was born in Kansas
and Is the son of The ex-congressman
from that state. He was graduated
and then became a newspaper man
at Fort Smith, Ark. While there he
saw hard fighting duringt he Indian
outbreaks, joining the troops on several
occasions and remaining with them
during a winter campaign. After leav-
ing Fort Scott he Joined government
expedition to Death Valley, in south
ern California sent out to make a geo.
logical investigation. Death Valley is
said to be the most desolate waste in
this country. The expedition suffered
every kind of privation for nine months
in which time Colonel Funston took the
record of the highest temperature ever
measured FOR any government, which
was 1875 degrees Fahrenheit.
Returning from this expedition he
took commission from the government
to explore Alaska, and for two years he
wandered about there alone. After a
rest of several months he went to Mex
leo and Central America on a private
venture, 1T being his object to get OPP
tons on land and coffee plantations.
The project needed more financial sup
port than he could secure in the west,
and for this reason he visited New
York. The support. however. was not
forthcoming, and Funston became as
sistant secretary for the Topeka and
Santa Fe railroad.
The routine of this post was monoto-
nous to him, and three months later he
surprised his friends by enlisting as a
private in the Cuban army. Soon he
was made lieutenant and then captain
then major, and finally he was put in
command of all the artillery force east
of Havana. During the IS months he
spent In Cuba he was in % battles, had
his left arm mutilated by a shell. re-
ceived Mauser bullet in his left lung,
and was sick of the fever for two
months Once while leading a battery
to point Of vantage, he had his horse
shot under him. The horse rolled on
Funstons right leg, crushing the thigh.
His campaigning had by this time rem
dered him a physical wreck, and feeling
unable to continue in the service he
asked to be retired. His request was
granted. On the way to the coast, how
ever, he was captured by the Spanish.
He was condemned to die, but later, be-
ing put on parole, escaped and came to
New York
When war was declared against Spain
he was commissioned by Governor
Leedy of Kansas as colonel of the Goth
Kansas regiment. Later General Miles
sent for him to take a place on his staff
Colonel Funston insisted on keeping his
regiment but he spent several weeks
with General Miles at Tampa, giving
him the benefit of his knowledge of Gu
ba. His regiment was stationed at
San Francisco for two months Six
weeks before it sailed for Manila the
colonel met beautiful young woman of
high social position in Oakland, whom
he married the day the transport sailed
for THE Philippines.
Colonel Funston arrived in Manila
with his regiment on Dec. 3. Most of
the officers are graduates of the Kansas
state university. The colonel is short
man with broad shoulders.