The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-27
THEY WERE BADLY BUNCOED.
JACKSONVILLE COMPANY DONE Up
IN GREAT SHAPE.

Sergeant Major Hardiman" Went to
Look Into Jacksonville Light In
fantry with "a View to Its Going to
China and Some of she Members
Cashed n S125 Check for Him-Of
Course the Sergeant Major Is Gone
Jacksonville, Fla, July 26.-The mem
bers of the Jacksonville Light Infantry
are very anxious TO learn of the where
abouts of one Hardiman, who claimed to
be a sergeant-major of the Seventh Cav
alry-and thereby hangs a tale and a right
humorous one
Some ten days ago the company voted
to tender their services to President Nc
Kinley for duty in China. This proffer
was wired to Cox. Bloxham and he for
warded il to President Mckinley. From
press reports from Washington few days
later the boys were given to understand
that their services might be accepted and
that a change would be given them 10
fight in China.
Some days after this a soldierly individ-
ual came along and hunting up the Off
GERS of the company introduced himself as
'Serseant-M Major Hardiman of the Sew
enth Cavalry" now at Quemados Cuba
meeting of the company was called at
once ana Sergeant Major Hardiman" was
introduced. He explained in great detail
that he had been sent here to see as TO
the number OF men in the company that
would go. their equipments and others
matters of that nature. He further in
formed the enthusiastic soldier boys that
Lieutenant of the same regiment would
be here from Gainesville to open a recruit
ing office. All this enthused the patriotic
boys very much and Hardiman was re-
garded as the apple of their eye.
Last Monday evening another meeting
was held at the armory so the story
goes. and Hardiman was there even more
enthusiastic than formerly He told Of
the laurels to be gathered in this fight
against. the yellow Devils" and waxed
warm in his praise of the life of the cav
alrymen The boys cheered him most
heartily and regular love feast ensued.
In the evening a number of them invited
Hardiman to saloon, and lavishly enter
tanned him. In the midst of the good
feeling, Hardiman spoke of having tried
in vain to get draft or check of his. on
an Atlanta bank cashed by the National
Bank of Jacksonville saying that they
wanted more Identification, which action
OF the bank he thought very hard One
"a eAiN VI tHS company VINO was
connected with the First National of this
city spoke up warmly saying: Come
down to our bank, and we'll cash the
check for you" Mr.. Hardiman expressed
his thanks for the kind offer and seemed
much pleased at the friendly feeling
The next morning he appeared bright
and early at the bank and secured the
cash in exchange for his Atlanta check
or draft, amounting to about S125. He
stated that he was going over to ST. Au-
sustine, but would be back in short
while to aid his lieutenant fix up the COM
pany details as to enlistmene He then
left.
To-day another chapter of the story
opens with the return Of that check pro-
tested. Throwing stone into a hornets
nest would give a good idea of che feel
ings of the soldier boys to-day toward
"Sergeant-Major Hartman" He was dis
! appeared, however, mad so far no trace
has been obtained of his whereabouts
The officers of the company refuse to say
much regarding this episode. 1t is stat
ed that the authorities have the matter
in charge, and are trying to locate Hardi-
man and bring him back for trial