The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-04
FORGED FATHERS NAME
IN ORDER TO INSURE ACCEPTANCE
INTO THE ARMY.
The Father Of Harry A. Gillum Will
Try to Secure His Release
from the Service.

Harry A. Gillum, of Greenwood, who was
enlisted at the local recruiting station last
Saturday I'm the record breaking time of
ten minutes, made possible by being sworn
i'm before he was dressed. is now wanted
by his father. Gillum is but twenty years
old and was admitted into the army by
what was supposed TO be the written con-
sent OF his father. Morton Gillum, living
i'm Greenwood. For more than a month
Gillum has been wanting to enlist. In the
latter part of June he came to the recruit
ing Office and made his wants known. but
was told that he must have the written
consent of his father. He returned in
few days with the necessary papers, but
changed his mind and went back home.
Last Saturday he again came to the re-
cruiting station and said he was ready to
enlist. A squad was preparing to leave
for Fort Smelling Mimi. to join the Eighth
Infantry, and, wishing TO send Gillum with
this detachment. unsual haste was made
TO examine him and swear him in. 1t was
all done in ten minutes and soon the young
soldier was speeding away to the North
west with the rest of the squad.
Yesterday Morton Gillum, the recruits
father, came to the recruiting station and
asked Major Noble if a youth answering
In name and description his son had en-
listed. Major Noble told him he had and
that the young man Is now at Fort SMELL
ing where the Eighth Infantry Is under
orders to go to the Philippines or China
as soon as its quota is filled. To the
majors surprise the elder Gillum said his
name had been forged He added that his
son came home Saturday afternoon and
told him that he intended going to Muncie
to get work. The boy changed clothes and
that was the last seen OF him by his father.
a Nnhlo
the alleged forgery AS Is always the case
the necessary papers for parents or
guardians to sign are mailed directly TO
Gillums case was no exception and in due
course of time the papers were returned
properly signed. Without further question
ing he was taken in.
Gillum's father insisted that his son be
released. Major Noble told him it was
The boy stay where he is. The father
would not listen to such advice, although
the major pointed out that to bring the
matter before the War Department meant
sure disgrace for his son and possible i'm
prisonment. For forgeries of this kind a
recruit lays himself liable to both the civil
and military laws and can be imprisoned
martial. The major also told him that a
dishonorable discharge. a sure thing in any
event. even if permitted to escape other
punishment, would be disgrace to follow
his son all his life and that when he re-
turned he would be annoyed by companions
until driven away from home. Notwith-
standing these things the father said he
intended to get his son out and will open
communication with the War Department.
1t will take some time to establish corre-
spondence, and IL may be by the time the
War Department decides TO release young
Gillum he will be on board a transport
bound for the Orient and IL will take
months to reach him. At best the young
soldier is in critical condition. Prison
ana a dishonorable discharge stare him i'm
the face if his father pursues his present
course. and his father says his mother will
be driven TO distraction If the son remains
in the army.