The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-12-02
SALVATION ARMY
DISCHARGES TWO
Brand Captain Smith OF
kato As incompetent
OFFICER HAS VERSION
Says Money Was Reason and
That Dismissal Was Unfair
To Him

On order of Colonel William Bar
ker OF Minneapolis and OF the Saliva
lion ARMY, Captain and Mrs. L. c.
Smith. In command of the local
branch. have been dismissed from
the service and have been notified to
vacate the rooms at the corner o.
Second and Walnut streets as soon
as possible. The letter of dismissal
sent by the Co.onel to Captain Smith
gave as reasons Tor his action, the
i'll health OF the local officer, general
incompetence and failure 10 accom-
piish the work as it has been set out
10 him" Captain and Mrs. Smith
deny each OF these allegations and
saio this morning that they believe
Ctner reason tor Diminishing them.
AT the time the drive for funds
opened in Mankato the goal was set
at $4,000 for this city and it was
specifically promised that al! funds
collected would be dispersed in this
city without any of the money going
to fill the cofters OF the state or ma
tional Army treasury. Acting on
this theory, Captain Smith made All
but at the end of the drive the total
was only a little over $4,000. The
drive was completed but a short
time, when Colonel Barker served
notice that the state treasury, would
have to have $500 from the fund
raised here and Captain Smith in
formed the colonel that the money
was with the Advisory Council, made
up OF Mankato men, and he would
ey as the Smiths would not go back
on the promises made in the cam
paign.
Followers Want Smith.
Many Of the people who regularly
attend Salvation Army service in
Mankato are indignant that the
Smiths are to be sent from here and
are backing a movement to establish
q city mission with the captain il,
charge. Work of Captain and Mrs.
Smith has met with general salts
faction during the seven months they
have been connected with the local
branch, Ii is said.
Captain Smith told representa-
tive of The Free Press today that
ct the time he entered the service
C Army he sold all his household
&c and devoted himself entirely to
the cause Of that organization. AT
the present time there is a total of
s113 back salary due the captain and
funds or anything that could be turn
ed into funds. Ont of his own sal
airy he has purchased musical in
struments for his children that they
might learn their use and be of serv-
ice TO the Army. Colonel Barker In
his letter giving reasons for dismis-
sal suggested that II the captain is
in need Of funds he could probably
raise some money by the sale OF
these instruments.
Money Is All Here.
At this time the money collected
In the drive is all in Mankato. bur
what the disposition of those funds
Will be, is matter of conjecture.
The Smiths have made no definite
plans for the future. They have four
children.
No word has been received from
headquarters of the Army in Mime
apolis and only one version of the
story has been obtainable to date.
On October 10. Captain Smith re-
cefved letter Of communication from
headquarters and asain on November
10 there was letter from Colonel
Barker In which he spoke highly of
the work Of Captain and Mrs Smith
The letter stating the reasons for dis
mtssal was dated November 49,