The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-25
Some Patriots Stirred Only by
Financial Prospects.
ssVeterans" of the Future Averse
to BloOdshed.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Which Come to an Army Re-
cruiting Officer.
Topeka Furnishes Uncle Sam
First Glass Men.

Sergeant H. c. Sorenson, in charge OF
the United States army recruiting sta
ton in Topeka, has a bundle of let
tiers from persons who would like to be
anything in the army from pho
tographers to generals, at good
pay and no prospect of work or blood
shed.
Il received one letter from a gradu-
ate of a military school who wanted
to go to war" said the sergeant. He
is is years old, and thinks he should
be commissioned officer as he was a
lieutenant at his military school. An
other man wants to enlist as an en-
balIner in the hospital corps The army
has no embalmers enlisted. So many
apply who are under age and think
they can enlist without the consent of
their parents Three came today, but
the regulations prohibit anyone being
enlisted who is not of age.
We want to fill the infantry bat
talon atLeavenworth as quicklyas pos
sible for service in China or the Philip
pines. Men who go in the heavy ar
tillery have to be the best and know
something about arithmetic
Very few tramps apply. 1t is a bet
ter class that apply for enlistment now.
L nave gotten fine men here in To-
peka- l was ordered to enlist ten good
men for battery H of the Seventh ar
tillery, stationed at Fort Adams New
port. 1t is equipped with modern guns.
The ten men were all gotten here, and
mighty fine men they were. The To-
peka recruiting station has a reputa-
ton for furnishing good men. Part of
those ten men were from the Twentieth
Kansas. The order not to enlist men
for the hospital corps has been rescind-
ed, and men who know something
medicine
who can pass the requirements are ia
ken, but great many young men fail
on not being developed, and do not
have the chest expansion. They have
their choice of going to China or the
Philippines in either the infantry or ar
tillery- The cavalry is full. Since I
have been in Topeka but one man I'M
der the influence of liquor has applied
to enlist. and he gets patriotic and ap-
plies every time he drinks enough"
While the sergeant was talking four
young men walked in. They had their
hats tipped to one side in a very rakish
manner and had their shoulders thrown
back very square and stiff in anything
but a military manner.
What will you have, gentlemen"
asked the sergeant.
I'VE want to enlist" answered the
spokesman of the crowd.
I'm what?"
1.-The cavalry"
Cavalry is full"
Artillery then"
s'How old are you?''
Eighteen"
'AIl of you?'
Yes"
''Have you the consent of your par
ents?"
No"
can you get it?''
Il guess So"
How tall are you?" asked Sorenson
of the spokesman as he eyed him criti-
cally.
Five feet four. I guess"
Let me measure YOU
The WOuld-be volunteer stepped I'M
der the arm of the measuring stick,
but was only foot 3A, quarter of an
inch too short All were given blanks
for their parents to fill out and certify
to, giving their consent The boys took
the papers and looked at them.
Don't I get one?" asked the one who
was not tall enough.
4 guess you are out of it, said the
officer
you'll be tall enough in another