Weekly journal-miner., 1918-10-09
WOMAN ASSERTS SHE SPANKED
 THE GENERAL
LIVED WITH THE PERISH ING FAMILY WHEN JACK WAS A BAD BOY AND
 DELIGHTED TO SLIDE DOWN THE TRANSFERS.

CENTERV1LLE, la, Oct 4 - Mrs Elizabeth Bidwell of Center vile has the distinction of having spanked the great spanker of the Huns. Gen. John J. Pershing. She is now extremely proud of the honor conferred upon her by the youthful Jack years ago.
 The Bidwell family lived at Rich mond Mo, but when the disastrous cyclone struck that town in the early '70s their home was destroyed and they moved to La Clede. Arriving there, they were unable to secure liv- ing quarters for themselves, and it was in this way that the opportunity arose which brought them into the Pershing home
 Lived in Persning Home.
 John Pershing at that time was just entering his teens, and the Pershing family were preparing to send him east to preparatory school, in order that he might enter West. Point as soon as possible Their home was big frame sixteen room house, ac- cording to Mrs. Bidwell, and as they wished to go east to be with John they rented the house to the Bid wells.
 Immediately after this Mr. Persh- ing St. was injured in a train wreck while going about his business as a travelling salesman. This caused change to be made in plans, young Pershing not going east to school that year and the family remaining n La Clede This being the case, they occupied part of the big house and the Bidwells had the remainder.
 Contradicts Statements.
 Tn connection with this, Mrs. Bid well contradicted several statements made in the press on different oc- casions to the effect that Gen. Persh ing was born in a little frame house near the depot.
 "The Pershing home was the finest in town" she said, "and 1t was not very near the depot It was frame. true enough, but it was of beautiful construction and was one Of the fin. est built houses of its age"
 She also stated that she had notic- cd several disputes as to the generals religious beliefs
 "The family were all stunch, true Methodists of the old type" she as serted. "They were a good, religious family and every member was highly respected throughout the community, where every one knew his neighbor we'll"
 Often Punished John
 ''I had one child born there at the Pershing home,' continued Mrs. Bid well. "and one who died there. While the latter was sick I was often an moved by John, who would slide down the banisters with a whoop and then vault over the newel post, making a great deal of noise and causing my child to cry I often had to go into the hall and shake him good, and even spank him at times. On the whole. though. he was kind, good natured boy. and we all thought lot of him"
 John was the oldest of family Of about eight children. two of whom, twins. died shortly after birth, accord ing to Mrs. Bidwell's story. The fu- tufc general was full of life. fun, and and. in fact, was what every normal boy might be expected to be.
 Everyone Knew Jack
 Everyone knew mischiev' ous Jack Pcrshinc." smiled Mrs. Bidwell, "but no one had any idea that he would grow up to be the commanding fig ure that he now is. It's shame to thirk that his good father and mother could not have lived to share the honor and glory that has come to him
 After living with the family for three years. We moved to Burling- ton. Ia. Later on to Keokuk, and then ;o Ceuterville. and lost track of the family completely. If I am not however, he has but one brother, Jim, now living, although he has, of course, his little son. TO LEAVE