The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-10-28


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h,.A 4 HE World war is not YET
(M %A over-in the sense that
NHt the delving of the his
M torian is ever bringing
W.. .MW out details new and in
Nh MyM, teresting. Ultimately, of
WYNN course, full justice will
T&Ns-4I be done to all phases of
AMTSO the great conflict; at
WA ~ present we are too close
y" to it for clear perspec-
tive. One of the outstanding features
of the World war was the part
played by the American Indian. From
one point of view there was no par
ticular reason why the Indian should
be eager to fight for the American
government. On the other hand, the
American Indian, by nature and train
ing is fighting man. The pursuits
Of the old-time Indian were war and
the chase; the sQuaws did the work.
And the white American, In his march
across the continent, found in the
American Indian the best natural
fighter the world has ever known.
Anyway, the Indian volunteered with
enthusiasm for the World war. The
tribes sent over 1900 braves to fight
for the Stars and Stripes. They made
good soldiers, more than $50 were dec
Grated for acts of conspicuous valor
in action.
1t now appears that Joseph Okla
hOmbi, twenty-six, a full-blOoded Choc-
taw who lives near Wright City in
McCurtain county, Oklahoma, is war
hero second only to Sergeant Alvin
York of Tennessee. He was pri-
vate in Company D, One Hundred
and Forty-first infantry, Thirty-sixth
division, A. E.. F. So far, however, his
valor has not been recognized by the
United States government.
Oklahombi was awarded recogni-
NV in Of hn Erof oh
army. He wears the French Croix de
Guerre. His citation says:
"Under violent barrage he dashed
to the attack of the enemy position,
covering 200 yards, through barbed
wire entanglements. He rushed ON
machine gun nests, capturing III pris
Oners. He stormed a strongly held
position containing number of trench
mortars. turned the captured guns on
the enemy, and held said position for
four days in spite of a constant bar
rage of large projectiles and gas
shells. He crossed No-Man's land
many times to get information con-
corning his wounded comrades"
1t is said that several futile at
tempts TO secure photograph of Okla
hombi in uniform have been made by
the War department through Gabe e.
Parker, commissioner of the Five Civ
ilized tribes. Then Czarina G.. Con-
Ian of Oklahoma City, with all the
pride and admiration another Indian
has for tribesman who has done dar-
ing Deeds" decided that his portrait
and some of his history should be pre-
served for Oklahoma's records. She
says of her trip:
"Going to Idabel l found the sec
rotary of the chamber of commerce
getting out pamphlet on the re-
sources of McCurtain county, its in
teresting people and places I told
him by all means he should give some
space to Oklahombi. All this sound
ed very well to him, but he could not
speak the Choctaw language, and be-
sides Oklahombi's home was 35 miles
away over rough roads and across two
streams. l told him would get an
interpreter, and the photographer.
When we were ready to be off, the
four men, including the driver, said
they wanted me to know what to ex-
pect, for the roads were the worst in
that part of the country. They were
right.
I'VE had to go over almost impass-