New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
:Jack' Pershing Will Beg
For Apple Pie To-day
Aunt Susan Has One of His Favorite Brand Watt
ing, and There Will Be Other Doings and La
clede's STow-Headed Som Will Own the Town
Special Correspondence


LACLEDE, Mo-, Dec. 22.-Some fifty
odd years ago a tow-headed shaver
rested his elbows on kitchen table in
a primitive country hotel, set his chin
in the cup of his palms, and begged
for piece of pie.
That was hts favorite pastime-cajol-
ing Aunt Susan Hewitt out of wide
sectors of her dried apple pies. To-
morrow the former tow-headed youth
is going to be presented with a whole
pie of that same brand, and that isn't
all. Showering honor on General John
j. Pershing, U S. A., is the
only thing to be done here tomorrow.
Thirty-eight years ago "Jack"
Pershing left home for West Point, his
mother and sister forming the party
Of escort to the station. There was
no outstanding promise in the young
Pcrshing, no sign to evidence what
the future held for him. Tomorrow he
comes home in a special car, the New
York, to be met by the states Cover
nor, flock of old personal boyhood
friends, band, and admirers from
more than one state. With his party,
General Pershing will arrive from St.
Louis at noon. Warren Pershing, his
son OF fourteen years, and Miss May
Pershing, a sister of the general will
be with him.
Whole Town Decorated
To meet the party at the train there
VIII be band and an orchestra from
Br0okfeld the county metropolis to
the east. On the main and only street
OF Laclcdc, the procession will march
beneath continuous canopy of flags
and tricolored bunting.
A Kansas City firm undertook the dec
Grating job. real job when it is con-
sdered that it is the decoration of an
entire town. Every business man and
irm got in line and decorated their Of
flcc and store buildings except one.
There is considerable talk about that
firm, but no well-defined plan of retri
button.
The first stop will be at the home at
which Pershing spent the days of his
youth prior to the day he left for West
Point. A local insurance man, A. S.
Byrd, lives in the house now, but he
has given up his home for the day.
Mrs. Clay Bigger. one of the old
time friends of the general, has an
organization of women to cook big
spread to be served in the old dining
room.
twenty four guests will be served,
including Governor Frederick d. Gard
ner and close personal acquaintances
OF General Pershing. The list of guests
has not been completed finally. Daily
and hourly meetings are being held in
Clay Blgger's office to pick that list.
There are lots Of requests from per
sons who claim close intimacy with
General Pershing, some who doubt
less never have seen Pcrshing more
than once or twice at the most.
Clay Bigger, real friend Of Per
shing; Ed Allen, Mayor, and A. ].
Cnywood, editor of "Thc Blade" are
making the selections, while others
walth with bated breath for the find
ing Of the tribunal.
And Gold Medal, Too
After the dinner Mayor Allen will in
troduce Governor Gardner and General
Pershing from the doorstep of the
home. Governor Gardner will extend
the states welcome to the general and
will present to him q gold medal in ex-
preston of the states appreciation of
Laclede's sons war work.
General fcrshing IS to be presented
with a beautiful loving cup, a tribute
from his old friends. schoolmates and
neighbors. 1t is n gold and silver CUP
and was made by y New York jeweler.