The San Francisco call., 1909-07-04
TOO MUCH GOLF
SAY FRIENDS OF
ARMY PHYSICIAN
Devotion to the Links and SO-
ciety Lead to Failure in Pro-
motion Examination
Captain Henry Stevens Kiersted,
Medical Corps, Will Have to
DOff His Uniform

Honorable discharge from the service
Is the portion Of Captain Henry Stew
ems Kiersted medical corps. L. s A.
who has been stationed at the Presi-
5io at Monterey for several years, and
who is widely known and popular in
local army and society circles. Failure
10 pass the strict examinations for
promotion led 10 the young officers
discharge the order for which was
received at army headquarters in this
city yesterday.
Captain Kiersted. who is the son of
3 former navy officer and the son in
law or Peter McG. Mclean. is even now
IN Washington. where he journeyed in
the hope that influence might be
brought 10 bear in high places to Sc
cure him continuance of his military
career. His efforts were futile, how
ever. in face Of the absolute rule of the
var department. and the order re-
oeived here yesterday is irrevocab bic.
GOLF AND SOCIETY
1t was. say those who profess to
know, too much golf and social activity
and too little burning Of the midnight
oil that led to Captain Kiersteds fail
ure 10 pass the rigid examinations.
Under the provisions of an order made
april p, 1908, officers Of the medical
corps who fail in an examination are
not entitled 10 a re-examination, as are
regular line officers An examination,
largely oral is first given. and if the
test is unsatisfactory from the stand
point Of the examining board. a sup
Elementary written eNaminatiSI1 is
given. If this also fails TO reach the
required standard the papers are turned
over for inspection by a board of re-
view appointed by the secretary of war.
The decision of this board is final in
the matter
Captain kiersted who was then sta
toned at the Presidio al Monterey. was
ordered TO the Preside at San Fran
cisco about three months ago to un-
dergO the examination preparatory TO
promotion 10 the rank Of major His
oral test showed a lack of close appli-
cation TO study and the written eXami-
nation which followed gave further
evidence Of the same thing. The board
Of review found as the examining
10 its markings
HONORABLE DISCHARGE
Under the law. Captain Kiersted is
honOrably discharged with one years
pay. AS soon as he learned that this
fate was probably in store for him he
hurriedly secured q months leave Of
absence and rushed OF TO Washing
ton. where for the last two weeks it is
understood some frantic appeals and
attempts TO upset the usual proceed
ings Of the war department have been
made.
Captain Kiersted first came to San
Francisco several years ago and was
stationed al Fort Miley. He received
his promotion to the rank Of captain
in February. 1906. While stationed at
Fort Mley, eight or nine years ago
he met and married Miss Edith Nc
Bean. a beautiful and stately blonde
and one Of the most prominent of the
city's young society girls. The wed
ding was one of the most elaborate
of that season and the brides father
furnished the new home Of the young
couple at Fort Miley, even installing
hardwood floors in the army cottage
which they were forced to leave within
8 few months.
Captain Kiersted was ordered from
san Francisco to Washington, but aft
er q short time secured a transfer
back 10 Monterey His next service
ing a portion Of which time his wife
was with him. He returned again to
Monterey and has remained at the
Preside post there ever since
Both Captain and Mrs. Kiersted have
taken lively interest in society in
san Francisco. as well as at Monterey
end have many friends in this city.