The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-12-23
HOW PESRH|NC
GOT INTO ARMY
AMERICAS LEADING GENERAL
WAS AMBITIOUS SCHOOL
TEACHER.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec 22-It was a
newspaper story that diverted John j
Pershing from his purpose to become
school teacher and started him upon
the military career. which led 10 his
appointment as general I'm the United
States army and commander of the
American expeditionary force in France.
The story is told by General Pershing s
sisters. Mrs. Butler and Miss May
Pershing. who are residents OF Lincoln
and who have given 10 the Associated
Press Intimate views OF Pershing's char
acter in his youthful days.
II was while Pershing and his sister.
now Mrs. Butler, were attending the
Missouri State Normal school at Kinks
ville Mo-, that his attention was one
day called TO a newspaper announce
iffent that examinations were to be held
for appointment 10 the West Point
Military academy. Young Pershing
asked his sisters advice as to whether
he should try for the appointment and
she advised him TO do so. Then fol-
lowed a short season OF intensive study
In preparation.
In a few days he was called before
the examining board and, although i'm.
properly prepared. received the highest
-->ark among the contestants and soon
-4 yard was notified of his appoint
Up to this time his action had
a secret between his sister and
II, and IL remained so until he
eady to start for West Point. on
IA. gay to the military academy he
ed off at the home of his parents.
rf or the first time told them they
Co. 10 have soldier i'm the family.
boy, General Pershing, his
say was of quiet, serious tenn
r. nent, assuming, as the oldest of
.u hildren. many of the responsible
# the family. He was wont. dur
lis early years, which were spent
.u aclede. Mo, his birthplace, to man.
age one of the several farms operated
e. lis father, John +. Pershing. mer-
clrat and farmer of Laclede.
ohm" Mrs Butler said, although
Of quiet disposition, liked a good time
and enjoyed fun as much as anyone. Yet
when he started anything he wanted
70 yet the result, and he generally at
,ained that object before he gave it
np."
While at the normal school at Kinks
Vile he was always in the center of
student activities and never was con-
tent to be merely one of the crowd but
wanted to be head of the movement.
His personal magnetism and generally
likesble character quickly won him
friends and supporters. and soon he be-
came one of the student leaders.
After having been graduated from
West Point and having served with
General Miles in a campaign in New
Mexico against the Indian chief Geroni-
mo. Pershing was stationed as mill
tarv instructor at the University OF
leO aska. His friends there remember
him as fun-loving young man who
fsjr ed music and dancing. parties and
0ahcr tocial activities and who APP
prfeimkl good joke.
'sGld Jack Best" the veteran trainer
At the university, remembers Pershing
Intimately. He was the finest man that
I ever worked with" said Best. IT'S
true he was mighty strict with his
work, but the results he got were so
good that everybody he worked with
loved him for il. When he was here
We had a regiment the university could
be proud of / just worshiped that
man and everybody around the uni
versity felt the same about him. If
any OF your newspaper men get
chance TO tell il to him you just say
that old Jack wishes him the best luck !
in the world. and that he hopes lie
will beat the Germans all alone"
Usually he was mighty dignified IN /
mis- work, but he had {. way of get
ting next TO new men, continued BE It.
: We first time / eve saw him he
wal ed right up to me, slapped me on
10 shoulder and sal 'N ell, Jack. they |
10 ne you got stlorg mighty well with i
M predecessor. l. you did am
d ed sure we tlong just as
we'll
'la boys at piversity got
s1r, Use the firsf dsv ershing drilled
thsrn,- said Best II p I'D been their
ilaf before that ue @ come to drill
WI shoes blackei o.'nrt, just as they Il
piaI ed. When r sh : took hold, the
I'm thing he il sC was to see
1 ls all shoes w vel BACKED, and
tlit the heels 10 q good as the
tJts He was jus Z 1orough-going Il
n eerything all tlie He was Al
- ry way, ard ~ can ask any =