The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-01-25


few days before he died, in 1885,
wrote a letter to the president
!of the United States asking him to
appoint the younster to the military
academy when he was of proper age.
This was done by President McKin-
ley in 1899. The wisdom OF the ap-
pointment was soon proved by the
boy. who distinguished himself as a
cadet. He was graduated second In
his class, in the same year with phil
lin n. Sheridan jr. He is now In the
engineer corps.
Young Lieutenant Grant was one of
the men whom West Pointers picked
as lust the one for White House du-
ties. He had plenty Of friends In So
ciety. who wanted to see him one OF
the aids of the president.
He got the appointment and ac-
cepted 1t gladly, but he has quit the
post for Boston. He got tired of the
eternal round of teas and dinners.
Fitzhugh Lee, the elder, did con-
spicuous service during the Spanish
war for the government, which once
upon time he tried so hard, as
leader of horse in the Confederate
army to upset. He was a great friend
of President McKinley's and for
number of years was exceedingly in
innate with Mr.. Roosevelt. On this
account, the later has taken a cordial
interest in the son, who rides in a
cavalry regiment. He is a fine, man.
ly chap and is popular in the service.
1t is interesting to observe, by the
way, how many of the sons and
grandsons of famous soldiers and
sailors are at present enlisted under
the flag of the United States. Young
Sampson, whose father commanded
the fleet in Cuban waters during the
war with Spain, is at Annapolis. A
grandson OF Commodore Decatur like
wise entered the Naval Academy not
long ago.
Thomas f. Schley, a son of Ad-
miral Schley, the hero of Santiago,
vate in the signal corps, he rose from
the ranks by good service and is to-
day captain of infantry.
Sherman Miles was graduated from
West Point only two years ago and is
now a full-fledged lieutenant in the
army. He is son of Lieutenant
General Nelson A. Miles, who was
formerly commanding general of the
army-the last officer to hold that
position which was abolished by con-
.gress. OF about the same age is
James r. Mckinley, a nephew of the
murdered president, who at the out
break OF the Spanish war enlisted as
a private in the Eighth Ohio infant
ry. Rising from the ranks he be-
came first lieutenant in 1901, ana
has since been promoted to cap
taincy. He Is one of the hand
soonest young men in the service and
bears striking resemblance to his
uncle.
When the class of 1908 was gradu-
ated from "the Point" it was uncer-
tain up to the last moment whether
the highest honors would go to Ulys-
ses S. Grant III or to Douglas Mac
Arthur--the latter son of Major
General Arthur Macarthur first gov
ernor of the Philippine islands. The
decision, however, was in favor of
young Macarthur, who was conse-
quently slated as No. and Is now
a lieutenant Of engineers.
Young Macarthur was known as
an all-around man at "the Point" >"
Put him In the ballroom, he served
the ladies manfully. Put him in
command OF a company of men and
he was equally proficient. In the class
room he was always on the job"
In the same class was Thomas 70.
Selfridge, jr., who enjoys the re-
markable distinction of having two
admirals for his father and grand
father. Both admirals were on the
retired list Of the navy at the same
time (the grandfather died in 1901. at
the age OF 96)-a circumstance unique
In hn htctA Af