The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-16
General WoOdson
To the Editor of the Eagle.
A Friends Tribute.

nave read your account OF the recent
death or General a. E. Woodson AS
ne enjoyed a very large and favorable
acquaintance among civilians. especially
in Kansas and Oklahoma, and had many
warm friends in these states that az
count contains some inaccuracies that
ought not go uncorrected
When l first arrived upon the present
townsite Of Kingfsher. April q. 1889.
Captain Woodson was the senior officer
IN command Of the troops encamped here
and had charge of the opening" the next
day. Monday noon. Col Wade was then
colonel Of the 9Th L. S Cavalry. and was
in command OF the troops stationed at
Fort Reno Col. Woodson never had COM
mand at Fort Reno. except probably. at
brief intervals. in the absence of senior
officer. After the several openings of new
territory as it was attached 70 Okla
nina. from time TO time. he was as
signed to duty at Darlington as agent
for the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians
He introduced great many reforms into
that service. and his administration was
a very great improvement upon that OF
any OF his predecessors. He was pro-
NOTED TO the rank OF major while serving
in this capacity.
At the beginning of the Spanish Ameri-
can war, he asked to be relieved and
placed in active field service The In
terror department was. at that time so
well satisfied with his services that his
request was denied. He was afterwards
relieved, however. and promoted TO the
rank, first of lieutenant colonel and then
colonel and sent TO the Philippines where
he remained for about two years. His
regiment the Third United States Cavalry
was relieved from duty there and sent
back to the United States and assigned
TO duty at Fort Assinaboine under his
command. Last February he visited Ok
lahoma on leave. He was in Kinghsher
February "A and Is as the guest OF the
undersigned. received many calls from,
and pajd calls to many old friends OF 1.-The
early days" He was at that time in
robust health and boasted of feeling as
well as he had ever felt in his life time
Expecting to be promoted soon to the
rank of Brigadier general and retired
from active service. he was full OF plans
for the future and talked of becoming
a citize nof Oklahoma with enthusiasm
and manifest pleasure. He was a sin
cere and devoted friend OF this territory.
At that time he was on his return TO
Fort Assinaboine. IL was only few
weeks after that-on the morning OF the
opening of Oklahoma to settlement. and
just after he had received official notice
of his promotion 10 the rank of brigadier
- it
ysis. following the report of which an
other report came announcing his death.
This, OF course. was a mistake. Some
weeks ago. probably three months. his
wife. who was living at Paola, Kansas.
had him removed there where she nursed
and cared for him until his death last
Friday. Not many days ago 1 had
letter from her in which she stated that
he was gradually improving ana it was
thought that he would recover. i at once
wrote a long, cheerful letter to the gen.
eral as she said he had often wondered
why 1 had not done so) and urged him
to hurry home to Oklahoma and aid US
in our struggle for statehood, Of which
ne was a sincere advocate.
General Woodson's soldier record Is in
was assigned to Company E. First Wash
ington Territory Infantry May q. 1862.
served such and as hospital steward
until April "A, 1863, when he was promoted
to the rank of second lieutenant of that.
regiment. He was honorabIy mustered
out of the service March 25 1865. August
5. 1867. he was appointed first lieutenant
of Company Thirty-six. United States In
fantry. accepted the office September II
following. was assigned December Is. 1870.
to the Fifth United States Cavalry. He
was promoted to the rank of captain July
/, 1876. October il, 1896 he became a
major, assigned TO the Ninth Cavalry.
became leutenan colonel February l. 1891.
and then colonel of the Third Cavalry
May 81. 1901, and joined mat regiment.
as before stated in the Philippines.
Col. Woodson was a native of Ken
lucky His appointment as an officer in
the regular army was credited 20 Idaho.
where he was then living. 1t will BE-
seen from this statement that he served
practically continuously as a soldier for
forty-one years Although without a
technical military education: he was a
high type of the American army officer
and gentleman.
Two children were born OF their mar
rage. They both died many years ago,
the eldest in his sixteenth year and the
youngest in her second year. The death
of these children cast a shadow over his
household that has never been lifted
During the last fourteen years the
Eagle as well as the press Of okiaho-
ma, has said a great many kind and
pleasant things Of General WOocson, ev-
cry word OF which was richly deserved
and sincerely appreciated lie was rot
only a typical soldier. but he was also
a loyal and devoted citizen OF the United
States in the best and broadest sense
]. V. ADMIRE. Kingfisher.. o. L