New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-28
With 81 Others Champion
Runner Refuses to Take
Federal Oath.
SENT BACK TO CITY;
WHITMAN SEES CAMP
Governor Praises Organs Work
1000 Men Now at Beekman
Hospital Units Go To-day.
From s,,r Correspondent, G, ne Tribune

tFrcn q star Correspondent, o. ne Tribune
Camp Whitman, Beekman, y. Y, June
27-Mel Sheppard, the runner, ana
thirty-one other men OF the 69th TOOK
a train back to New York this morning.
They had refused 70 take the oath to
serve their country. Their rifles had
been taken from them, and while their
regiment Kissed Mel Sheppard and his
companions were marched to the rail-
road station.
Sheppard had been tho idol Of Com
pany F. He had trained their best run
ners. For his services the 69th had
paid him 500 month. When Shep-
pard refused to sign the muster roll MS
friends thought he was "kiddins'
Then amusement changed TO DOUBT
doubt to annoyance. annoyance TO re-
sentiment.
Whitman Inspects Camp.
Company F Street this afternoon was
not . cheerful place. Sheppard could
stay" declared Sergeant John F. Prout'
"Some Of the other men couldn't. Three
OF the men left the camp crying like
babies. But Mel. Sheppard left because
he said his wife was nervous. have
wife and three children. When l left
the city Mrs. Prout said the boys would
have gone along had they been big
enough" But Colonel Conley took the
situation calmly. He was glad, he said,
that there we're men in his command
honest enough TO quit the regiment 10
support their families. He regretted
the sensational aspect OF the mems de-
parture from the ranks.
A few hours after Sheppard left the
camp Governor Whitman arrived TO IN
spect it, He was the guest OF the army
of nearly 5000 men who are encamped
tonight on the site named after him.
Praises Colonel Lucas.
The Governor reached the camp late
In the afternoon. He climbed Head
quarters Hill TO Colonel Lucas's tent.
Few Of the men recognized him. Colonel
Lucas greeted Governor Whitman at
the station. They motored to the rail
road yard, where long trains of upstate
troops were pouring IN.
Hail 10 the Chief" greeted the Gov,
ernor as he approached the 22d's band
at the station. Then Adjutant Cen
eral Stotesbury and Colonel Arthur
Townsend dashed up and saluted him.
In low, guarded tones the Governor dis
cussed the military situation with Cen
eral Stotesbury.
ats a wonderful piece OF work"
said Governor Whitman later. THE
men seem to be thoroughly satisfied
and anxious to go to the border
Colonel Lucas also assures me that
the upstate troops will have plenty
of water. Colonel Lucas and his men
have solved one of the most difficult
problems in engineering ten days
ahead Of time. Never was time so
precious as now"
1000 Now at Beekman.
Governor Whitman then motored
back to Headquarters Hill, where he
took mess with the officers of the 22d.
A crowd OF men and women gathered
in front OF Colonel Lucass tent. In
the midst of the salutations Governor
Whitman was called to the telephone.
II was General Organ calling.
What do you think OF General
Organs work in modelling the
troops OF the state and sending part
OF them to the border" the Governor
was asked, as he was leaving for
Albany this evening.
81 want TO express my apprecia-
ton" replied Governor Whitman, "of
the wonderfully clean-cut. efficient
manner in which the general has han
died the most difficult and dangerous
of tasks. Everybody will agree with
me it was a splendid military accom-
plishment."
There were $500 men in camp at
sunrise. At twilight 1000 men, in
Guiding the I'd and Sd regiments from
upstate, were In camp. All Of the lst
Regiment will be at Camp Whitman
before midnight.
Upstate Troops Pour In.
Colonel James Andrews had
bivouacked his command, the I'd. 1850
strong, at Arthursburg last night. He
motored the six miles to the camp 20
consult with Colonel Lucas. He was
impatient, and so were his men. he