Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-08-26
Dramatic Life Story
Of Robert j. Willis
BY BENJAMIN =. Butler


had pleasant smile and a kind
word even for his enemies. II was
not long before some OF them had
TO admit that Willis was a modest
fellow and did not try to force his
attention upon any one, and was
right bright H. his studies. IL
dldnt take long for this thought
10 cryslalize into an undisputabIe
fact. and before the end OF the
term X. J. Willis was recognized
as an a No student OF the Uni
versity of Michigan.
The American white man is an
anomaly TO the ertire Aryan race.
lie fought his own brother To
iiberate an alien race. and after its
liberation he seems to regret his
action. He will lay down his life
III defence OF race purity yet will
NOT recognize that il is his own
! Dlood calling 10 It's own that
causes so mary Negroes 10 seek
the relatives Of their fathers in
preference 10 those of their moth
err. This Inconsistency ON the mart
OF the American white man is
gradually disappearing. due to the
influence OF education ard travel
When Robert j. returned 10 tho
University to begin his second
term II he could number among his
intimate friends the sons of men
VINO fought under General Lee.
ms ability to turi enemies into
friends is still one of his greatest
assets and many times has
brought victory from defeat There
- one thing that | would like 10
impress upon the minds of tho
young men OF our race. and that
Is that talent without tact Will NOT
carry you very far in this life. Too
many OF our young mer. when thew .
receive "A University degree. think
that is all they need to assure
aleir success. They must recognize
'hat after you leave the protecting
walls of your Alma Mater. YOUR
greatest problems Will be the ac-
tons OF human beings.
II Is not my intention to give all
the "details connected with the life
OF Robert J. at the University of
Michigan. He remained to COM
piete his course in the Literary
Department. and graduated with
honors In 1877. His ambition aid
not cease at this point. because he
had decided to study law as a pro-
!, fession. His parents had helped
:, him all they could while he was
.. lattending school. and hia lathe,
was growing old. he decided 4
A, \tench Hchooi. ara support n
MS family nntii ne could see his w,
"a, c,ss, e sgscs. &c <'..:s <,sce,z<<.'
~ AcflnR upon this pfnn he docfd-
ed 20 migrate to Texas. where he
m had AN uncle. one Shederick willis.
o residing In the City OF Waco. Upon
hts arrival Robert j. found that
the advar fages for the education
or coIored people were almost nil.
There were a few primary schools,
and an Institution OF higher learn
Ing known as the Marlin Academy.
Recognizing his worth and ability,
the school board at Waco appoint
ed him as one OF the teachers ir
the Academy. lie held this position
for two terms. He then decided to
try the outdoor life of the great
Southwest. He became cowboy
and roamed all over Texas. Mexi-
co. Indian Territory and Arizona.
He followed the Rio Grande for
many hundred miles. recovering
strayed cattle or hunting those
Glen by rusters In his bouyancy
OF spirit and strength he took
many chances on his life. one day
word was passed along the border
that 10000 men were needed 10
start an insurrection in Central
America. This RESURRECTION was
headed by General Cortella. and
was aimed against President
Baradero of the State OF Guaie-
mala. II was financed by American
capitalists. who had been unable
to obtain concessions under the
Baradero regime and wished to put
General Cortella H. power Every
soldier of fortune who was able TO
started for Guatemala Men of all
nationalities tended their services
TO General Cortella. and he soon
had a heterogeneous mob. rang
ing from experienced soldiers
down TO the commonest rookie.
Ger eral Cortela. who was an eff
hcient soldier. soon perceived that
Robert j. knew the manual OF
arms. and accordingly gave him
the task of rounding the men into
shape. Willis accomplished the job
In record-bTeaking time and so
thoroughly that he was promoted
to the position of Colonel. The IL
surreotion lasted about three
months. In that space OF time
many lives we're lost on both sides.
General Cortella was killed In ac-
tion during the second month OF
the campaign. and Robert J. took
command of the Rebel army He