The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-02
COLORED TROOPS

CONTINUED from preceding page.l
non-commissioned officers in the reg
and good conduct especially fitted
them to serve as leaders
Talent! These boys have worlds
of it. Y. M. c. A and knights OF
Columbus workers can stage min
strel show impromptu. organize glee
club overnight and put on show that
would give many travelling troupes
aces and spades and beat them -FOUR
ways from the jack. Mimicry. spon-
taneous high spirits and lnimttanle
drollery make up their second nature
Just naturally optimistic" re-
marked C. A. Guillot, secretary at the
Knights of Columbus building. late
Professor of French at Howard Uni
have rich voices. unframed perhaps
but wonderful at tn l." From the
further end of the lall group of
perhaps twenty. detailed to the GIee
Indiana Home'' and the very walls
vibrated to the deep, resonant melody.
There are just few of them here
this afternoon" the professor said.
apologetically. You ought to near
| the full club"
Yes, we are certainly blessed with
| talent" agreed Aaron w. Green, bust
ness manager Of the colored mems
Y. M c.. A. But had you ever
thought of it-sad people are nearly
IL
| known as rather a jovial people but
| deep down in our hearts there is that
sadness that the world SO little sus-
poets. These boys are great letter
ing a subject upon which he did not
care to dwell, there is not day
passes but that from 1900 to 1900
| letters are written from this building.
never did write to any extent before.
The father of one of these boys re-
/ Gently told me that he had not known
where John was for three or four
years. But I know where he is now,
he said. When they finish writing to
the folks they start in and write to
all of their friends. I have an inter
esting little room back that
want to show you"
He led the way to the rear of the
ante room had been set aside for
books, papers, maps and periodicals
that deal with the war situation. This
is our war ROOM" he explained. "Y ou
in the study of the war. We always
have this little room crowded OF
nights. Every night we have some.
thing going on here. picture show
a concert, or something of the kind
The auditorium is packed for our re-
ligious services of a Sunday. Las
Sunday Lieutenant Rucker of the
Camp preached for us and three OF
the five Sunday school classes were
conducted by colored officers. There
must have been fully 500 men in the
room"
In addition to the Glee club of fifty
voices, led by Lieut.. E. b Abner, there
is the crack band of the 317th SAM
tary train of twenty pieces, conducted
by Lieut. Bates. Its members are do
ing splendid work and their concerts
add not little to the general good
spirits.
Work is being pushed upon the new
Liberty theater that is to furnish high
class shows for the colored troops. L
will be built at cost of $4,000 and
will seat 1900. The men of the 92nt
are doing the construction work. L
is also planned to build Y. w. c. A
hostess houses at Army City for col
ored people who wish to visit the boy:
in camp. Attorney w. C. Houston OF
Kansas City, Kansas. is pushing e
campaign to raise a fund of $4,000
from teh patriotic people of Kansa.
for this purpose.
In some of the barracks perhaps a.