The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-27
COL. WOODSON HERE.
Veteran Regular Army officer
In Topeka.

Col. Albert z. Woodson of the United
states army was in Topeka at the Hotel
Ihroop last night and this morning on
his way to Fort Assinna boine, Montana,
where he will take charge of his regi-
ment, the Third United States cavalry.
Col. Woodson just returned from the
Philippine islands about sixty days ago
where he has been doing provost ser
vice in the Island of Luzon Col. Wood
son is an old timer and knows the army
and all that it pertains to from A to Z.
He served in the Civil war entering the
army as a lieutenant in the year of 1852.
He saw plenty of active service and as d
reward for his good service he received
rapid promotions and at close of war
was SiVen commission in the regular
army II which he has served ever since.
During the past twenty years, with the
exception of the three years in the Phil
ippines which were mentioned above,
Col WOodsOn has had charge of troops
in Oklahoma and was an important fac
tor in the opening up of that country.
He fully understands Indians and is
well thought of by the Indians in that
country He is not an Indian agent but
he would make a good one.
When the trouble in China broke out
in the spring OF 1900 Colonel Woodsoll
was ordered to China. While in Okla
homa he had been in charge of the
Fifth cavalr-r. but when he was sent
e, the orient he was transferred to the
Third cavalry, which regiment he has
been in charge Of ever since. He left
the United States in company with sew
eral other army officers and arrived III
CHINA too late for active service. much
10 his regret. From China he went to
the Philippine islands and while there
it was noted that he preserved order
among the natives. even though it was
necessary for him to hang several of
them.
Colonel Woodson has a very poor
opinion of the Fili3inos. and does noN
think that their future looks very
bright. He says that by some slow pro-
cess of development the higher classes
may some day amount to something, but
that day is a long way off He says than
the Philippine islands are very Valuab
Tor their products, but as a country in
which to live 1t does not amount to
much. The climate is generally so hot
and sultry that one can not get much
exercise and consequently the physical
condition runs down OF the japan use
and Chinese the colonel thinks exactly
the opposite. The Jap is his ideal, and
he is enthusiastic in his praise Of their
army and people He says that the
Chnaman being barbarian does not
amount 10 much at present. but there
viii come time when they will be a
good deal higher I'D in the world than
they are now
It is hoped by Colonel Woodson's many
irlends that within the next year and
a half he will be retired as brfgadier
general: bin has passed congress to the
erect that all colonies in the regular army
who 50 W service in the civil war are to
be retired as brigadier generals. Colonel
Woodson comes under this head.
When he IS retired it is his intention to
90 back to Oklahoma and live among the
thousands of friends that he made while
he was serving down there.
During his stay in Topeka Colonel Wood
son stopped at the Throop hotel on nc
count of his being old friend OF Ny
O Rourke and Mr.. Morrow, the proprie-
tors Mrs. Woodson stayed at the Throop
hotel while the colonel was in the Philip
pines
This is about the first time Colonel
Woodson has been in Topeka since he
brought the Indians to the fall festival
several years ago He left the city this af-
ternoon for his post at Fort Assinnlboine,
Mont.