The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-09-03
COLONEL BARKER AND
HIS DOUGHNUT SQUAD

and yet it didn't Just happen, for 1t
was originally meant to be an apple
pie" explains Colonel Barker.
Prior to his assignment to France.
the Colonel had seen service with the
Salvation army in this country from
San Francisco to Boston. In fact.
though only forty-seven years OF age,
he Is one of the veteran American Of
ficers. Born in Baltimore In 1878. he
was raised in California and joined
the Salvationists In San Francisco In
1893. Subsequent appointments took
him to Los Angeles, back to q head
quarters assignment In San Francisco.
then to New England headquarters In
Boston, to Buffalo as general secre-
tary OF. that division and in 1905 he
was ordered to New York
Held Important Post.
For the past fifteen years he has
held the important post Of national
property and legal secretary. In this
position he has had custody Of Saliva
ton army property throughout the
land, and has seen the total holdings
Of the organization grow from about
81, zoe, 900 in 1905 to almost $4,000
900 today. Moreover, the Arny's in
been stesdi1y reduced mil at the
present time 1t Is less than twenty
per cent of the total value. During
this same period the Colonel has been
secretary Of the Salvation army, Inc,
the organisation holding q corporate
charter under the laws OF the state
Of New York.
Almost a. hectic az the war period
in France were the early days Of Col
onel Barker's service. for as q young
officer in California mis- nsrve wns
often Violent hostility which tie army
ct that time encountered from mobs
and roughs. Literal soldiers were the
Salvattonists then when they braved
the missiles, rotten eggs and abuse Of
the unfriendly element In the Far
West.
II the Colonel goes down In history
as the one who was Mtimately re-
sponsible for the doushnut. 50 also
vation army institution-the Christ
mas kettle. 1t was In Boston, In 1893,
under Colonel Barriers direction, that
for the first time any place In the
world the salvation army put LAssios
on the streets at Christmas time to
tend their kettles and collect money
for the Christmas dinners that the
army gives away to the poor each
year In sixty six countries and col
onies.
kssItant About pSans.
Always cautious in undertaking q
new enterprise. Colonel Barker Is
heeitant about outlining his plans un-
til he has made thorough survey Of
the problems and opportunities pre-
sented. He states. however, that the
Salvation army should and can be
just as much afactor IN the religious
and social life Of The rural districts
as 1t il in the cities. With the army
30 well represented IN the cities and
towns as result Of The work Of his
predecessor, Colonel Stephen Mar
shall, Colonel Barker VIII 81 inclined
to stress the extension ct salvation
army work and service toifhe country
sections.
In following this policy. Colonel
Barker win be blazing = new path tor
his orgnnlsation. Hwe&ofoe& While
It has not turned its a&fentioa % the
cities to the exclusion 0f the oounfry.
nevertheless its work has been pre-
poneerantly of q city charactoe. The
sending Of an officer OF such high
rank and notable Accomplishments to
foster the work OF the Salvation army
on the rural side marks, Il q said. the
determination Of the Saivatton army
in this country to build up q large
rural following and is IN line with
the bodys policy Of expansion and
extension into new and larger fields.