The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-12
ADAYATTHE POST
Magnificent Reception Given to
Secretary Taft.
A Dress Parade at Leavenworth
BY the Troops.
OBJECT OF HIS VISIT
W1IH Decide on the Merger Of
Smaller Forts.
Urged a Convict to Lead Better
Life in FIXTURE.
Some One Trades Hats With
Congressman Curtis.

Leavenworth, Kan. Nov Ia Dig
man who wore a black business sul1
and an overeoat that made him look
mere ponaerous still stepped down the
steps Of q passenger coach at the
union depot in LeavenwOrth saturday.
TIE moment he alighted on the plat
form he was surrounded by a crowd
of men.
How are YOU. Mr.. Secretary p they
seemed to excIaim almost in chorus.
The big man who lowered IulI nesAo
-YsboNa any one In the crowd, smiled
good natured smile and grasped the
outstretched hands. In another mo-
nent he was surrounded by oflcers OF
the regular army from Fort LeaVen-
worth. They wore the regulation lohB
dark blue coats of the fuli dress UNI
form trimmed in gold braid Thelr
black riding boots glisteneq- 1hs
swords that hung at their sides ana
the spurs clanked noisly as lney
danked the large man ana WatHsu
along with him. In the street eutslae
the station q hundred small American
flags nuttered in the hands OF as many
school children People began 70
cheer. The soldiers Of four troops OF
cavalFY=in full dress uniforms -tneaF
horses and trappings covered win q
fine white powdered dust@glistened
brightly for an instant in the sunlight
as the troopers presented sapers ia
The large man in the dark clothes
stepped into carriage while an oillesr
stood by to assist him. Then an OIL
ficerts voice gave a command me
blgle call echoed it. The horses and
troopers wheeled into columns %
tours and the procession started VIII
liam H. Taft, secretary of war, had ar
rived
The vide parade ground at the post
was fringed on the one side by motor
cars, carriages, men and women on
horseback, officials, civilians ana Wo-
men and children afoot 1t was nearly
noon. Across the parade ground long,
smoothly, undulating lines of soldiers
marched onto the field. On the ex-
IRENE right was the band playing a
lively air. The white gloved hands
and the blue legs moved in unison. TO
the left of the infantry stretched the
ninth cavalry in unbroken front and
still further to the left beyond and
stretching partly over behind nil TOP
vas the artillery the red cOlOred
str3pearard- braid Show ing plainly -i{as
the distance Further than that the
eve could hardly distinguish. The
spectators looked to the right, ex-
pectapty-
It was a big. dignifed looking man
dressed in a suit OF gray ana wearing
tan shoes and puttees who appeared.
There was a clatter of many hoofs on
the hard. semidried ground. In a
cloud Of light dust Secretary Taft and
the party escorting him rode forward.
A. flag stuck in the ground half way
down the side of the field fringed by
the spectators was the goal.
The party drew up facing the
troops. Two officers rode forward and
salute. Then the party rode back TO
Secretary Taft and his escort rode on
down the parade ground at brisk
trot At the far end of the line of
soldiers they wheeled about quickly
Tfhen-they rode the full length Of the
line of soIdiers=fnfantry. cavalry, ar
tiHery and all AS they passed down
the lines the crowd saw the white
gloves go up and the CLINT of the
bers as the troops presented arms in
solute Then the party rode back to
the position by the flag.
The band struck UP lively march.
Horses pranced and spectators kept
time whistIing the air. The great col
urln of troops moved forward IN com
pany front. Headed by the band, they
swung down the parade ground past
Secretary Taft. sitting passively but at
tentively on horseback There were p
100 officers and men in that column, all
Ia full dress uniform. They marched
or rode in faultless rhythm. This was
the order in which they moved past
the reviewing stand
Eighteenth infantry band.
Company 4, signal corps.
Eighteenth infantry. - companies in
three battalions.
Hospital detachment.
Ninth battalion Of artillery, including
the Twenty-ninth light field battery, the
sixteenth heavy Siege battery and the
Eleventh light siege battery
Second squadron Ninth cavalry, four
troops
sAtsthe head Of the troops rode Lieu
tenant Colonel William Pauldlng. COM
handing the brigade. and Captain w
"a. Gordon, adjutant.
How long have you been here2''
Secretary Taft was speaking to a
prisoner in the federal penitentiary. He
visited the building after luncheon.
HSix months. sir" replied the man
badly frightened at being addressed.
what was it," inquired the secre-
tars-
yes. sir-desertion.
you're young yet" Mr.. Taft eontin-
ued quickly. How old are your"
Twenty two, sir
you don't look like a bad young