The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-29
e DOCS OF WAR
EJECT ONE MAN
II Takes Whole United States Army
to Get Best of Gear Of Plum Island
+ -'Skeeters Tease Soldiers

NEW YORK. May 29.-For the pur-
pose OF dispossessing an alleged "un-
desirable citizen" former car Of
the ninety-acre strip OF sand called
Plum Island. a detachment OF the
United States army went into camp
there after forced march in a tus
from Governors Island. The man who
was dispossessed is former Justice
w. S. Overton, who planned year
ago TO hold prizehghts on the island.
which is government reservation.
and whose lease OF the place was
cancelled by Secretary OF War Wright
last January.
There were no real hostilities. but
the soldiers took thirty days rations
with them. went into camp In proper
-stslerand will remain until all danger
OF hostilities is passed.
Plum Island is about two miles from
the jumping-off place at Sheepshead
Bay. II lies between Jamaica Bay and
Sheepshead Bay and the vegetation
consists solely of tomato cans. Tho
ioiaHd 10 DONsul W tuC SSNGtAilchs
With the idea OF establishing a mortar
battery there, but the place looks as
II good kick from a grown-up mortar
would sink II, SO the battery never
was established.
Along the shore edge are cottages
that have seen better days or some
very much worse nights. II looks like
sQuatter colony, and that Is what II
really IL. Up to last January Oyerton
was the lessee. and paid the govern
nent $4,000 a year He let the cot
tages. Last year Overton turned over
all his financial interests TO F. II. Hal
liday, who raised rents. Even tired
fishermen howled at that. Then Over
ton proposed 10 hold series Of prize
fights asserting the state Law did not
hold. as the island was federal prop
erty. There was trouble. and in Oc-
tobcr the Plum Island association, com
posed OF nearly all the residents, was
formed 10 fight Overton. Oyerton's
lease was revoked. and the association
took over the property on similar
terms.
Overton had two or three friends on
the sand spit. and war was declared.
When he moved into his cottage two
weeks ago the association decided he
was an undesirable addition TO the
summer colony, so letters were writ.
ten to Uncle Sans representatives
to please come and look after the In
terests OF the lessee.
II takes time To unwind red tape,
but troops were soon sent from Gov
ernor's Island on a tug. There were
gallant Major j. s. Mallory. likewise
gallant Lieut.. F. II. Adams and TWEEN
ty-one equally gallant high prfvates.
They chose about the only clear spot
left on the strip near the beach and
pitched their camp They put UP eight
army tents and cook stove. Then
they began to yawn. There was moth
ing to do. Major Mallory, who has
strong sense OF humor. went TO sleep.
Lieut.. Adams wrote letters until he
couldn't think Of anyone else to write
to. Then he took a stroll on the
beach. but when sand filled his shoes
he went back to his tent.
What I want TO know he said. is
Row We are going TO get the newspa-
pers down here so we can keep up
with the baseball news?"
The twenty-one gallant high privates
also cultivated twenty-one grouches.
The whole Twelfth is to start for the
Philippines on June 20. and the men al
Plum Island said they would be tickled
TO go. Bolomen are infinitely prefer
able TO Plum Island mosquitoes.
The islands civilians are ready to
air the soldiers in any battle. The
associations head. ex-Ald erman Frank
J. Dotzler is a whole army In HIM
self. He weighs 800 pounds before
meals and $40 pounds after meals. II
he ever sat on Overton,
Camp Plum was a mournful sight
last night The soldiers were afraid
TO light their tents. because Of the
mosquitoes. They sat In the dark.
mournfully chanting:
We've fought in the north.
We've fought in the south,
We've fought meath sun and show
ers:
But the Isle de Plum
Is on the bum;