New-York tribune., 1900-08-10
SEEK LOST HUSBANDS IN ARMY
RECRUITING OFFICERS KEPT BUSY AN
sWERING WOMENs QUESTIONS

These days Of large enIistments for foreign ser
vice in all branches Of the regular army ara irving
ones for the sergeants in charge OF the Information
desks in the various Offices They have lately been
neslesed by women who have all manner OF ques-
tons to ask From the number OF wives who come
looking for missing husbands II would seem that
many married men Of this city are suspected OF
entering the army TO escape domestic unhappi-
ness Some Of The women who think their hus-
bands have gone 70 war are anxious 10 rescue
them from the dangers or the firing line. while
others hope that their missing lords will get their
MI Of fighting One little woman with a pretty
face. neat dress and trim figure, was looking for
her husband AT one Of the downtown recruiting Of
fees yesterday.
Has my husband enlisted here during the last
week. she asked, giving his name and another
which ne might have used 10 conceal his identity.
l don't find him in our list answered the ser
geant in charge.
I know he has enlisted somewhere and Do so
want to get him back"
Perhaps you Will find traces OF him at some
other station, madam suggested the soldier
Tell me, has man any chance Of living through
two campaigns? We were engaged when the Span
lsn war broke out, and I waited for him until ne
got back from Cuba. Then we were married Last
week We had foolish quarrel over nothing at all,
and my husband stamped out OF the house with
the threat that he was going back into the Army.
I was so angry for the first few days that I did
not care what became Of him. Now want him 10
come back TO He will surely get shot in this
second war
Another woman who called al one Of the stations
had been deserted in cold blood She did not want
her husband back-in fact, she determined 10
have nothing more 10 do with him She siu1pIy
wanted 20 know how long he had 70 serve, and
expressed the hope that the Chinese would shoot
MIN. she said she would get a divorce before he
had time to cross the Pacific
Many women, and men, too, come TO the recruit
ing officers to ask about relatives AMI friends who
are in the Army. They addresses in Cuba
or the far-on Philippines. They desire 10 know
what regiments and companies have gone TO China
Some ask TO see lists OF recently wounded IN the
at once II anything happens u certain persons
Their questions are answered BY referring the ap-
pucants 20 the proper branch OF the War Depart
menr at Washington The recruiting Offices are
not supplied with lists OF wounded. and do have
q record or the movements or regiments
The rush of boys under age who desire 70 fight
continues. Some OF the boys bring their fathers
with them, but in most il is the mother
VINO comes TO the recruiting office. and with tears
IN her eyes informs the officer IN charge that she
sturdy. bright-faced youth OF nineteen brought
his mother down when .hs medical examiner he
came convinced that he was under age. She was
old and bent and gray. The boy was the widest
law OF nature which rules mothers hearts he
was her favortLe
7 guess III have to let him go into the Army
she said tearfuliy. His heart is set il. and
ned go without my consent sooner or later.
Don't cry. mother. III not get shot" said the
boy; only the good die young, you know. and
haven't been good
The doctor examined him while the mother waited
He had well developed case OF tobacco heart. and
his application rejected
This is the first time I ever glad you
smoked cigarettes said the mother. they
walked away.