Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-07-03
ANOTHER CHANCE.
Great Interest Our Late President Tool
in Soldiers from Cuba.

in Soldiers from Cuba.
/ The following story illustrates the re-
gard which President Mckinley felt for
the men who fought the battles OF the
nation. At the same time II shows his
sympathy with young men. and his
wonderful memory for names.
At the time when the soldiers who
had taken part in the Cuban campaign
were returning TO their homes. about
fifteen Of the Rough Riders presented
themselves at the White House one
morning. After looking through the
part of the building open to the public,
one of them approached the doorkeeper
and asked IL II were likely that there
would be an opportunity to see the
President. He stated that all the men
lived in the West. and intended to take
train for their homes that day. They
were exceedingly anxious TO see the
President, for they might possibly new
er be in the capital again.
The doOrkeeper Informed them that
the President was about to drive out
with Mrs. Mckinley, and that by wait.
ing few minutes they could see him
as he got into the carriage. He also sug-
gested that IL they stayed until Mr..
McKinley's return from his drive he
might possibly consent TO receive them.
The soldiers were In their ordinary
uniforms, stained and worn with ser
vice. Old handkerchiefs We're knotted
about their sunburned necks, and their
weather-beaten faces We're covered by
growth Of untrlmmed beard. Alto
gether their appearance was not suCL
as was to be expected on dress parade.
The doorkeeper, however, knowing the
Presidents unfallIng kindness toward
returning Cuban soldiers, told him of
their presence as he was descending
the stairs. He said at once that he
would receive them on his way to the
carriage.
After placing Mrs. Mckinley In the
carriage the President turned and shook
hands with each of the soldiers. AS was
his habit, he inquired their names. re-
peating each as he heard It, as IL he
would retain II In his memory. The sol
der who acted as spokesman. and who
was apparently the superior Of his com
panions in address and education, told
the President his name, but added.
''rhat was not the name enlisted un-
der"
| The President was at once Interested.
He asked the young man where he
came from and learned that II was
originally from New Haven. From
there he had drlfted out West. Mr..
Mckinley inquired the name OF the
young mans father. When he learned
1t he said, "YOur father Is a physician
In New Haven, and one OF my friends"
When the President bade farewell to
the other soldiers he invited the young
man to call at the White House that
evening. Thus 1t happened that the
soldier boy allowed his comrades to go
West without him. AS for himself, his
appearance was considerably changed
when he once more sought admttance
to the White House. His clothes had
had vigorous going over In the mean
time and even in the old uniform he
made very presentable soldier.
That evening the President learned
the young mans story, story OF II
career at Yale that had been more live
ly than profitable of a fathers anger.
and Of debts that had made final rup-
ture between the boy and his parents.
The lad had gone West and taken up
life afresh, this time as cowboy. Tho
call to arms had found him ready, and
with others from the same ranch he
had enlisted. Now he was going back
with them to the old work
The Rough Rider had a second inter
view with Mr. Mckinley the next
morning. and this time before he left
the White House he received the assur-
ance of a commission as lieutenant
in the regular army. He was assigned
to duty in the Philippines, where he
has since made an enviable record for
himself and has risen several grades
In rank.