August 1, 1907
Letter from Kansas.
Ft. Leavenworth, Kans.,
July 22, 1907.
Editor Record-Press,
Marion, Kentucky.
Dear sir: If you will allow me space in your valuable paper, I will try to give your readers a few items from Ft. Leavenworth that may prove to be of interest to some.
I left old Kentucky July 16, and arrived at Ft. Leavenworth the 18th.
It made me feel sad to think that I was leaving so many loved ones behind, probably some of them I shall never meet again, as I shall not return for at least three years. But I wish them all good luck.
Saturday was a historic day for Ft. Leavenworth, with a gala excursion of more than three thousand people from Kansas City and the arrival of the thirteenth cavalry from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. There was never such a crowd as that which thronged the parade, sidewalks and public buildings.
On arrival at the Ft. the picnickers marched to the west end parade, where they had lunch, after which an athletic meet, consisting of jumping, foot racing and other athletics, in which prizes were competed for, was held. Next came a base ball game played between two picked teams of the excursionists, after which the younger element proceeded to the spacious gymnasium where they danced to their hearts content to music furnished by the eighteenth infantry band under the leadership of Prof. Galyean.
Then came the final races: The soldiers for the souvenirs and not not [sic] less than a dozen were very noticable [sic] with seven or eight ornaments adorning their peek-a-boo waists. This, however, was not the only amusement, for as one young lady was heard to say "goodbye" to her soldier escort another exclaimed, "I am very much put out and I think its a shame that I have come all the way to Ft. Leavenworth and have not even so much as seen the 'Fort.'"
The train whistled, the bell rang and the picnic at the post was over. The excursion was given under the auspices of the Clerks Benefit Society and was its first annual outing.
Troop I. K. L. and M., of the squadron of the thirteenth cavalry, consisting of 7 officers, 187 enlisted men, 1 contract surgeon and 3 hospital corpse [sic] men with 229 horses and mules, arrived at the post yesterday at 12 o'clock, with Maj. Chas. W. Taylor in command, after having marched from Big Stiager [?] that morning, a distance of fourteen miles. The journey to this post, which began at Ft. Sill Oklahoma, more than thirty-five days ago, was a long one. A distance of more than 500 miles, being a greater distance than has ever been made by U. S. troops in time of peace.
Although the trip was made under the greatest difficulty and trying circumstances, brought about by the heavy rains, mud and intense heat, the troops made a fine appearance and but few looked fatigued from their long journey. The animals looked as well as could be expected, considering that they have been in the harness and under the saddle throughout the period.
I will close with best wishes and kindest regards to all who read the Record-Press.
Respectfully,
B. E. WOODY.
Source: Crittenden Record=Press. (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, August 1, 1907, Image 7 - Chronicling America - The Library of Congress.
[My comments are in brackets.]
