Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-26

LtSlciI
cided that nobody of such imposing
appearance and general popularity
as John r. Quinn should languish on
the sub eleven.
He was drafted to be a cheer lead
err. and graduates of California to
this day tell of his ability in stimu-
lating the student body and in slim
ulating the teams they Cheered. He
was graduated in 1912. one of the
most popular men in his class.
Back went Quinn to ride herd on
the family ranch. He remained
there until in the spring of 1917,
when one day he was carrying" a
herd of cattle up to spring pasture
in the dry meadow hills. and receiv-
ed word that the United States had
entered the war. He sent his appli-
cation for the First Officers Train
ing Camp in just as soon as he could.
but he was one day too late and did
not get into uniform until the second
camp opened at the Preside in San
Francisco in August.
A ranchman. he naturally was put
in the artillery. He didn't know a
Very light from a Lewis Machine
Gun, or a French 10 from it's cais-
son. but he did know horses, and for
that knowledge and for his evident
leadership. he drew a commission as
captain within three months. He
commanded Battery f of the jas
Field Artillery overseas. He went
through the Meuse- Argonne, and
was commanding his outfit when the
Armistice was signed ad he was sent
4.
patton in Germany. Shortly after
that his company went to Brest,
where it put in several months
building macadam roads so other
outfits could go home. Captain and
battery did not get back to the Unit
ed States to be mustered out until
March, 1919. The men were mostly
Montana ranchers, and they liked
their commander. but, says Quinn.
They got back too late for the
blowing and too early for the hra-
vesting." Aside from that, they were
pretty much satisfied.
The captain returned to his home
ranch. now at Delano, Cal, to find
there a new Quinn, Jane, now five.
The captain-rancher had been mar
ried Just before he went away to
war. Another miss. Charlotte Ann,
aged two and a half. Is also a men,
Der of the family. There is a step
son, Bobby June Quinn, twelve, left
handed and red headed.
The new commander early became
identified with Frank S. Reynolds
Post of the Legion, which was or
ganized in Bakersfield in July, 1919.
A little later he organized Merle
Reed Post of Delano. The Califor-
MIA Department of the Legion looked
on as both posts grew, and in 1921.
elected him department commander.
The next year he was elected Ma
tional Executive committeeman for
the Legion.
He first became prominent IN ma
tional Legion circles as department
commander. At gatherings of the
LEGION he was invariably singled out
because of his size (he's six feet two
and built proportionately.) And his
size was not belied by his methods.
He calls a spade a spade-no more,
no less. 81 never call a man pole
cat. he says, unless I know he's a
polecat. Then I know he isn't going
to resent it very hard"
He has frequently ridden rough
shod over the pet idehs of friends,
but his friends always find out their
ideas needed riding down. He is not
a stylist. He is not a finished speak
err He is first of all an American,
then Californian, then Califor-