The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-18
IN OKLAHOMA CITY
Major General Sumner Will Make That
Place Headquarters.

Oklahoma City, o. T., Dec. H.-Advice
was received in Oklahoma City yester-
day to the effect that the secretary of
war had approved the recommendation Of
the general staff establishing a south
weston military district to be composed
of the departments of Colorado and Texas
with the department of Texas to be en-
larged by the addition of the states
OF Arkansas and Louisiana and of Ok
lahoma and the Indian territory. says
the Oklahoman.
1t was also announced that Major Cen
erai Sumner viii be division commander
with headquarters in Oklahoma City and
that the order would be effevtive Janu-
airy 10.
The good fortune of Oklahoma City in
being selected as the seat of the military
department of the southwest was largely
due 90 chance circumstances enterprising-
ly taken advantage of by wide-awake citi-
gems of Oklahoma City. Lieutenant Col.
Smith of the regular army at Washing
ton, D. c.. visited Oklahoma City about
q week ago and between trains put up at
Hotel Lee. At the hotel, having some
business TO transact, hei inquired what
bank in the city was a government de-
posiSory and he was directed to the
Western National. At the bank he fin
ished his business and engaged Cashier
Holt in conversation, making some in
quiries about the city. Mr.. Holt went
to the telephone and called up Secretary
Rose of the Chamber of Commerce, ad-
vising him of the presence of thed is
tinguished military man in the city. Sec
Rotary Rose Immediately took the cue
and calling at the bank promptly was
made acquainted with Lieut. Col Smith.
lie invited the officer to take a drive with
him about the city and the latter prompt
ay accepted. He was shown about town
and introduced to leading citizens and
in the rounds met an old acquaintance
and brother officer in Attorney J. IL.
Grant, recently governor of one of the
Philippine islands and captain in the
United States army.
The subject of the contemplated redis-
tricting of the army divisions of the
United States was brought up and it
was suggested that Oklahoma City was
adnirablys ituated for headquarters for
ahe proposed southwestern division. Lieut..
Col Smith was taken with the idea and
promised to advise that Oklahoma City
be selected as the headquarters and MILL
tary post for the new division. and that
he kept that promise is evidenced by
the recent military order from the secre-
tary OF war.
Under the plan adopted there are to
be five divisions of the army with - de-
partments. This provision for the divf-
sions is new
1t is believed that the creation of
these divisions. each to contain one or
more departments and TO be commanded
by major general. will be more effective
and more nearly perfect organization than
that now existing. There will be a di-
vision of the Atlantic with headquarters
At Governors Island TO embrace two de-
psrtments. department of the east with
headquarters at Boston. and department
OF the south with headquarters at Atlanta.
The assignment of ocers OF the new de-
psrtments Will soon be announced Aside
from the major general there will be
representatives of each of the several de-
partments which enter into the army or
ganization, an officer OF the general stan
detailed for duty with the department
m adJutant general. a judge advocate, a
chief QuartermaSter. an inspector a chief
commissary, a chief surgeon. aschief
paymsster. an engineer officer, an ord
nance officer, an artillery inspector and a
signal officer in addition to the aid de
camp on the stan OF the general com
manding. This means also considerable
office force OF various kinds
The secretary Of the chamber OF COM
nerce, upon the RECOMMENDATION OF Lieut.
Col Smith, leased eleven rooms on the
third floor of the new Baltimore building.
northeast corner OF Grand avenue aud
Harvey street 10 be used temporarily as
army division headquarters until the pro-
posed federal building is constructed
here. when elegant quarters will be atted
W in that Building
The Importance OF the order Just made
rs affecting the city is extensive. as the
establishment or division headquarters
here will bring a hundred families TO Ok
lshoma City and make it the mecca OF
military men in the west and southwest.
The news was received in this city with