Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-06-03
Reducing a Riot With Ridieule.

a'N thousands Va SnuAuOIn
who arrived at one of the Northern
training camps late in the summer of
1918 found military discipline and the
restraints of the camp increasingly
IiS;aSteful. Many OF them never had
been ten miles from home or worn
pair of shoes before. Frosty autumn
nights chilled and discouraged thcm
They longci for their own sunny
southland, where the winter brought,
hunting BY day and merDmaking BY
night.
. OHe evening an irresponsible vhi,,
solder told them that the armistic,
had been signed and tina, the var W.
over. As they met NJ mess that nieht
a negro boy with the mini ana hear
o! child sobbed his JOY; The VA.
over, an Use gon' home to my mann
my"
"i'Sc Goin,' too! Use goin,' toor'
sounded all through the mess hall.
With no comprehension OF what mutiny
$, ,hey rushed to their quarters, roll.
a up their packs, ShouIdcrcd their
guns and started for home. Big 10,
Knocked down a lieutenant who tried
TO stop them
Come on, boys, Use YOU lcaderr'
he cried.
In defiance of orders to halt, the
negroes kept on their way "Thc
wars done over; wc's Goin' home
they shouted
The lieutenant N provost head
quarters was reading the evening pa
per when the telephone bullcd. He
look down the receiver:
'lcS, this is provost Office"
There's a riot among the negroes
they have overpowercd their officers
and are going home"
The lieutenant ammcd down the
receiver, bounded out of the door and
yaultcd into the saddle. II looked like
a FOOLS GRAND for one officer to set
out alone to put down riot of two
thousand cnragcd negroes, but the
lieutenant knew of force stronger
than machine guns
The rioters had halted to wait For
one more company to join them. i
Joe, who felt the dignity of his posi-
ton, turned to face the lieutenant
That young man was an excellent of.
ficcr. His neat uniform was a perfect
fit. Every movement he made with
military precision.
Joe" said the lieutenant. what
does this mean? You do not have to
drill at night"
"ics, sah but we's goin' home. The
wars over; nothin can't keep us hcah
no longer"
An instant Of hrca,hlcss silence fol-
lowed The negroes became very
quiet. They were prepared for force
and they expected the provost marshal
to attempt to overpowcr them. Thcv
knew tha they could ovcrpower any
force that he could bring against them
at that hour. Before rcinforccmen,s
could arrive they would he clear Of the
camp and on their way home.
When the provost marshal spoke, |
they all listened. zoe" ne said, "do
you call yourself soldier prepared to
lead other men? Boys, look at the /
way he carries his gun, yet he expects .
TO boss you"
There was a general cranng Of |
necks to see how Joe carried his gun.
"Look at the way he has rolled up his /
pack! See that shoe hanging out OF
one end! Look at that dirty sock stick |.
ng out Of the other end The girls |.
will all laugh at you coming home from
the war with such a SLOUGH leader as
Joe"
The men all began to laugh at Joe
Then came an order so sharp and sud |
den that no thought Of dsobeying it.
Take that gun away from him.
They obeyed the next order with
equal alacrity:
about face! To your quartersw
The riot was over II had been put
down by ridicule, weapon that few
leaders have ever been able to with
stand.
Keep Them Locked Up.