The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-02-19

VIVA ~ AZ ROAhoRo "a w N'n "
him chiefly MS a soldier. Great sol
der that he is. the services to the
people which Leonard Wood has per-
formed along the lines OF civil en-
deavor fully equal his commanding
work in field and garrison. He has
been recognized throughout the entire
world as a statesman OF the highest
type.
When Leonard Wood graduated
frse services were given g~ratutiously
first services were givtn gratituously
TO the poor OF the city of Boston.
AS the humane physician he gained
HIS first intimate knowledge of how
the other half lives" while acting as
a missionary Of healing. He denied
himself every creature comfort in
order that he might serve those who
could not serve themselves.
II was Lenard Woods insistent de.
sire for action that led him to enter
the army as a contract surgeon and
to request an immediate assignment
In the field of the southwest. He
served through the Apache Indian
campaigns with high distinction and
secured that recognition from his
senior officers which can only come
as the reward OF hard service well
done. There was a lack of officers
OF the line and surgeon though he was
Leonard Wood vas given an infantry
command.
In a report on Leonard Woods con.
duct in the field. Captain Lawton, who
as Major-General Lawton later was
killed m the Philippine Islands. wrote
thus: Il desire particularly to in
vite the attention Of the Department
Commander to Assistant Surgeon
Leonard Wood, the only officer who
has been with me through the entire
campaign. His courage. energy and
loyal support during the whole time;
his encouraging example to the com
mand when the work was the hardest
and prospects darkest; his thorough
confidence and belief In the final sue
cess OF the expedition. and his untir-
ing efforts to make it so, have placed
me under obligations SO great that
cannot even express them"
II was for his high part in this
desert campaign that Leonard Wood
later was awarded the coveted Con.
gressional Medal of Honor.
When Grover Cleveland a Presi.
dent Of the United States he asked
Daniel Lamont to secure for attend.
ance at the White House the services
OF a suitable surgeon of the army. An
officer. now a Major-General OF the
United States army. was appealed to
Without a moments hesitation he
said that DR.. Leonard Wood was the
most suitable and desirable man for
the place that possibly could be
named, that he had inspiration, and
that his presence in a sick room was
magnetic.
After Mr.. Cleveland left the White
House Leonard Wood continued as the
attending physician to President Nc
Kinley. When the Spanish war broke
out President Mckinley commissioned
him as the Colonel of the Rough Rid.
ers, whom Wood in connection with
Theodore Roosevelt formed into a
regiment and led into active service
in the field in Cuba. IN organizing the
Rough Riders Leonard Wood cut red
tape and fitted his men for the field
quickly. Other men were wondering
how to do II. while he did II.
Within a month after the first &C.
ton against the enemy Leonard Wood
was made a Brigadfer-General OF vol
~unteers by President Mckinley. and
soon afterwards was placed in corr.
mand OF the troops and in charge
of the civil administration OF the De-
partment OF Santiago.
The military duties OF Leonard
Wood at this time we're insignificant
in comparison with those of the civil
administration. He cleaned the city.
purged It Of all tropical diseases,
turned 1t from q pest hole into a
healthful, beautiful, attractive city In
which the most modern public works
were installed. Roads and bridges
we're constructed. public buildings
renovated or rebuilt, q school system
was established and the laws we're
executed with a promptness and a
justice that had not been known dur
ing four centuries Of Spanish rule
and a freed people came to know Sc
curity and happiness.
At the end Of a year Leonard Wood
was made Governor-GeneraI OF Cuba
and In this capacity, with instructions
from President Mckinley 70 CONVEX
Cuba into . self-sustaining republic,
he went at the task which was ac-
compiished In q way to claim inc hold
the respect and admiration OF the
countries OF the world.
This work required the adoption OF
. new constitution, the rewriting OF
all the laws Of the island. the revision
Of pablo works. the installation OF
public schools, and IN general all the
vaGt machinery for the proper opera
tinn of any government Leonard
Wood changed one o. the most OBJ
prfssed countries In the world into
sns Of the most liberal and prosperous
Of republics.
II was said OF Leonard Wood BY
Theodore Roosevelt that what Cromer
az for Egypt Wood aid for Cuba-ex.