The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-19

the public schools, and in 1878 was
graduated from Oberlin college at Ober-
lin, o. After nine years in the whole
sale butter and cheese business at
Wellington, o., Colonel Metcalf removed
to Lawrence, where he engaged in the
farm mortgage business junior mem
Der of the firm of Russell & Metcalf.
While resident of Ohio, Colonel Met
calf served an enlistm ent in the Ohio
National Guard, rising from private to
first lieutenant in his company. In
1888 he enlisted as private in Co. H,
Kansas National Guard, at Lawrence
and rose rapidly to the captaincy of the
company.
He retained command of the company
for a number of years, during which
time his company ranked as the best in
the state. Later he became major of the
regiment, then lieuteHant4colOn2l and at
the outbreak of the SDanish-Americar
war was colonel of the regiment.
Governor Leedy did not recognize the
National guard organiza ton in calling
for troops or Differing Them but finally
offered Metcalf the position of junior
major in the Twentieth Kansas. Met
calf was with the regiment from the
first and was referred to in the official
reports of it's work by General Mac
Arthur as THE strong right arm of
Col Funston in all his operations
Metcalf was wounded at BOcane and
when he returned to the regiment Fun
Ston had been made brigadier general
and Metcalf was the colonel, having
been jumped over two superior officers
IL
the regiment until it's return and was in
command on the return trip.
He was brevetted brigadier general
after his return to the United States as
a reward for gallant service. Through
out his life General Metcalf had been a
close student of military tactics and all
affairs relating to the army He was
always a member of some militia organ
ization. He is acquainted with a great
number of regular army officers, and is
well known throughout the army as an
exceptionally able officer and COM
mander- He has at his home in Law
renee the most complete military library
in the state, and he spends much time
reading the various military publica-
tions He is at present colonel of the
First regiment, Kansas national guard
Prior to the breaking out of the war
Metca1f had been a law student at the
University of Kansas, and had gradu-
ated with hOnOrS, and he had also be-
come the sole owner of the farm mort
gage business, and to these interests he
returned at once on again becoming a
private citizen He has since kept close
to business and while mentioned nu-
merously for political preference has
sought none
He is married, and he and his wife
live quietly at their home in Lawrence.
LELAND REFUSES TO COMMENT.
When Cyrus Leland was told today
by a State Journal reporter that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had announced his in
tention of Immediately appointing Col
onel Metcalf to the pension agency he
evinced little more special interest in
the matter than if he had been told that
it was cold day, or some other COM
mon place remark. He refused to make
any statement at present concerning
the matter. He simply sn lied a little.
That is one of Leland's qualities. One
can never tell from his appearance
whether a piece of news pleases or dis
pleases him. He promptly said, how
ever, that he would continue to live in
Topeka
The pension agency situation was
brought to a climax in Washington this
morning when Senator Burton called
on President Roosevelt and again
brought up the matter. Senator Burton
told the president that he had received
a letter from NJ A. Low, but that
nothing would move him from his de-
termination. Then it was that Presi-
dent Roosevelt, seeing that there was
no hope of getting Mr.. Burton to quit
his fight on Leland, announced that he
would appoint Colonel Metcalf.
This is not the first time Mr.. Leland
has been defeated in politics. In fact
he has suffered a number of severe re-
verses, but he always comes up smiling
and ready for the next battle. He en-
joys politics. 1t is fascinating to him |
the same as whist or poker is to other |
N en-. If he wins game he does not |