Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-13

I cadet to the United States Military
academy.
1t was by this narrow margin that
Uncle Sam obtained the general who
was TO command the greatest armed
host ever rnised In the United States
and to lead It to victory with the al
lies In the greatest war In the worlds
history.
No ambition nurtured from early
boyhood prompted John Pershing to
seek admission TO West Point. He
had no set Ideas Oh becoming SOL
der when he was little fellow. In
fact, he was headed for career ~
II teacher or lawyer, and was stu
dent In the klrksvlle Normal school
when he won the appointment to the
Military academy.
He saw his congressmans notice of
the examination In II newspaper and
asked his sister, who WIS also attend
ing the kirksville school. II she would
advise him to try the.test. She GER
tainIy would, she told him. This Co
incided with his own Ideas on the sub
iect, 80 his military career may be
said to have had It's first impetus In
the reading OF n newspaper advertise
ment.
General Pershing WIS born Ia 1860
at I.aclede, Mo-. IA hamlet Of some 100
~. 1se, %eth .h.tt.
tors had come from Alsace, hud the
general store ut Eaclede and also
owEed farm on the outskirts OF the
town. The future commander of the
A. f. r. was the Oldest of six children.
lie assumed much responsibility In
helping to care for them.
The Pershing youngsters spent con
siderable time on the farm. Y0aug
John developed INTO d capable WORKER
In the fields even as a hoy. The out
door life and exercise mnde him fine
outstanding and vigorous youth. He
was known "a a good fighter when he
had to use his fists, but he was never
one to go out looking for trouble.
He could ride horseback, fish. swim
and hunt when he was a little shaver.
Such training fell TO the lot OF all
BOYS In the West in those days. His
mother taught him his first hook les
sons and instiled in him the desire
for good education.
Ii he wasn't brilliant student, he
was conscientious one and stood
well In his classes. Fellow pupils OF
the Laclede days Gun recall that when
John pershing had problem to solve
he worked at 1t until he had the cor
rect answer. While he was quiet as
boy, he WAS full OF fun and enjoyed
playing pranks with the youngsters OF
his own aye.
Before he entered the Kirksvlllc
Normal school he taught for two
terms at Prairie Mound. few miles
distant from Laclede. He was eight
eeh ut the time. Some OF his pupils
were older than that. One day he
had to chastise an unruly pupil. The
lads father. well over six feet tall and
big in proportion, appeared the next
day to demand satisfaction Of the
teacher.
He had gun In his pocket. He
stormed about and roared threats.
First the young teacher took the gun
from the man. Then he handed him
n sound thrashing with his fists
Young Pershlng was a leader among
the students at Kirksvlle. He was
equally prominent Mt West Point.
They tell the story that when group
Of hazers tried to put the new cadet
through the mill, he thrashed two OF
them soundly.
He was serious, persistent and de-
termined in his efforts TO become an
excellent soldier during his student
days at the Military academy. He
made good record In his studies,
ranking thfrtieth in his class when he
was graduated In 1886: He was SEN
Tor cadet captain and was elected
president OF his class.
The newly made second lieutenant
was assigned to the cavalry. He saw
service as young officer under Mel
son A. Miles In the Apache, Geronimo
and Wounded Knee campaigns. Then
he taught military tactics at the Uni
verslty of Nebraska. also acting as
assistant professor Of mathematics.
He studied law while assigned to
Nebraska, was graduated with honors
and admitted to the bar. Then he
was ordered to West Point as an in
structor. From there he was detailed
to duty In Cuba, serving under Gen.
eral Shafter In the Spo sish-Amarican
war. He was promoted for bravery
| at the battle of Ell Caney.
| He made brilliant record In the
Philippines and led the expedition In
| to Mexico before being put In COM
| mand OF the A. E. f. Uncle Sam was
fortunate, indeed, that John Pershing
| topped his rival In the West Point
competitive examination for his dis
| trlct by the narrow margin OF that
| single point.
e, by The North American Newspaper AlIiancs }