New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-02
Bert Williams'S Runaway
Forces First Rank
Place Upon Him.
NEGRO BODY HAS
RECRUITED 500 MEN
Col. Hayward Presents the
Regiment to State After
5th Avenue Review.

A runaway horse with Bert Williams
the negro comedian, astride 1t, his
spurs rafting and his sword clanking'
while the moving picture operators
cranked their machines frantically, en-
livened the review and presentation OF
the regimental colors to the 10th IN
fantry, the first negro National GuArd
regiment in the state, by Governor
Whitman at the Union League CLUB
yesterday morning.
Going south, Williams, who Is cap
tain and the regimental adjutsnt, vio-
lated military precedent and led tne
parade by a good half block, because OF
The obstinacy OF his charger; gong
north, Williams rode peacefully in HIS
Iimousine. while a small, black negro
how trotted along behind leading the
unruly stsed.
Captain Williams's horse Is green
animal, just in from the country All"
unused 10 city ways and city noise anu
knowing next to nothing OF military
procedure. When the regiment de-
trained from the subway at the Grsha
Central 20 march the rest of the dis
lance the horse had to be held by WV
mounted policemen and a squad OF or
derlies before it would permit Captain
Williams TO climb aboard.
steed Reaches Fifth Avenue.
No streetcars were running in Forty
second Street, and there was little
noise. so the steed behaved well until
Williams headed him down Fifth Ave-
nue. behind Colonel William Hayward
and his staff. The avenue from Forty
second Street to Thirty-eighth Street was
crowded. When the regiment appeared
the throngs set up q mighty cheer.
Captain Williams kept his mount under
control until he reached Fortieth Street.
Then the steed decided TO lead the pa
rade.
He Immediately did it. The large
crowd that lined the sidewalk and the
smaller crowd thai shivered at the
corner of the Union League Club heard
a mighty veil Of "Whoal Whoa!" and
second later the captain and his white
charger pushed the sedate steed OF
Colonel Hayward out Of the way ana
dashed down the avenue.
Captain Williams tried 70 stop the
horse, but in the excitement his Feet
came out of the stirrups and he never
did get them back, because ms SWORD
got twisted around and htted snugly
where his feet should have been. ms
compelled the captain 70 hunch him.
self in such a manner that his knees
threatened every minute TO deliver
knockout blow on the point OF his chin'
and compelled him also 70 seize the
ponmel of the saddle and handful
OF the animals name 20 keep from
being thrown overheard.
The steed, with fine disregard for
the porper fitness of things, bolted
past the reviewing stand, where Gov
ernor Whitman and his military stat
stood, with mounted patrolman
pounding along in pursuit. The police
man and two others overlook the
charger Just below Thirty-ninth street,
and the animal was led up an alley to
think over his evil ways, while captain
Williams appeared on foot during the
rest OF the cerenl ODicS. NNtu IHeJ
were over he ordered his car, declining
20 deal further with his charger.
500 Recruited in Three Months.
The new regiment made a remark
able showing, in view of the fact that
Colonel Hayward began the work OF
organizing it only about three months
ago. In that time more than 500 men
have been recruited, drilled and armed,
and enough applicants signed to bring
the organization up TO the full legal
strength OF slightly more than 1900
nen and officers. The field and staff
officers are white men, while the COM
pany is made up Of negroes.
Marching in squad formation and
headed by a band playing Onward
Christian Soldiers" the 18th Infantry
swept into Fifth avenue from Forty
second street. In front Of the review
ing stand the regiment stood at parade
rest while Colonel Hayward presented
the organization, with nine staff Off
GERS, one band and ten companies OF
enlisted men. 70 the state.
Then, as the band played THE Star
Spangled Banner" and the crowd stood
with barred heads, the Governor put
into the hands Of the regiments color
guard the American flag and the regi-
mental colors, inscribed with the name
Of the regiment and the seal of the