The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-06-11
WEST POINT
CENTENIAL
Impressive Century Cere-
monies in Which the
President Takes Part


west Potnt, ". T., June ll.-Olu
soldiers long since retired from active
service, soldiers still in their prime
and at the head OF Uncle Sans army,
and young soldiers who have yet to
win their spurs gathered here today
and helped to make the centennial
celebration of the United States Mill
tary academy the greatest of all days
in the annals OF the institution. The
occasion was inspired also by the
presence of the president of the ma
ton, his cabinet member high Off
cials of the army and navy, senators
and representatives. foreign diplo-
mats and scores of other persons
prominent in official life But the
'old grads" were the particular guests
of the day From every section of
the country and from lands far away
they came to revisit the scenes OF
youthful escapades when they we're
receiving their first military training.
One of the most pleasing features OF
the reunion was the presence of Gen.
eral Simon B. Buckner and one or two
others of surviving Southern generals
whose military training was obtained
at West Point. Next to the president
of the United States these distinguish
ed guests from Dixie land received
more attention than did any of the
other visitors.
The ceremonies Of the day really
began with the arrival of the presi-
dent and his party shortly before ten
o'clock, though the formal exercises
did not take place until afternoon.
With President Roosevelt were Secret
tary Hay, Secretary Root and other
members of his official family, Speak
er Henderson OF the house of repre-
sentatives. a number of senators, the
military attaches of the foreign lega-
tions in Washington and a number of
other specially invited guests. Colonel
Albert l.. Mills and his staff were
present at the station to welcome the
head of the nation. With Colonel
Mills in full dress uniform were Cap
tain William c. Rivers, Eleventh cav
airy. adiutnant of the post; Major
Charles b. Hall. second infantry
treasurer of the academy; Major John
B. Belling form quartermaster Unit
ed States army. quartermaster of the
military academy, Captain Malvern II.
Barnum. Eighth cavalry, assistant to
uuartermaster; First Lieutenant viii
liam Kelly. Jr., Fourth cavalry; Major
John NJ. Banister, surgeon, U. S. A.,
and First Lieutenant Franklin NJ.
Kemp, U. S. A.
Ranged in a precise background OF
gray and gold was the cadet body
The president was welcomed with mil
itary honors. After the formal greet
ings had been exchanged the process
sion was formed and marched up the
hin toward the West Point plain. The
diplomatic visitors we're carefully
looked after by the various officers OF
Che post. WI Ting Fang, the Chi
nese minister. was escorted by Gen
eral Roe. and the Italian ambassador
the Costa Riean minister the Turkisi
minister and the Belgian ministe
were likewise under escorts Of honor
The appearance of President Roose
welt on the plateau upon which th'
buildings of the post are located wa
the signal for salute OF twenty-on
guns from the post batteries. Tn
first thing on the programme was
review of the cadets, Following tn
review President Roosevelt ana tn
other great personages were escorte
to their quarters. The president wa
entertained at the superintendent
quarters and Secretary Of War Roo
Postmaster General Payne and othe
cabinet officials we're entertained a
the officers quarters. The diplomat
and other invited guests were by spe'
ial arrangements accommodated Z
the hotel. When the visitors had ha
time to brush some of the dust {
travel from their clothes they a
semhled at the Official residence
Colonel Mills, and after hand sha
ing all around the guests repaired
Memorial hall and took luncheon
company with the alumni of the aca
emy.
Luncheon concluded, the formal e
ercises OF the day we're begun. Cues
alumni and spectators assembled ne
the superintendents quarters 10 Z