Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 121, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1911 — AROUND THE CAMP FIRT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE CAMP FIRT

ROUGH RIDERS AS RUSTLERS (General Wheeler Says They Were Also Known as Biggest Thieves in Camp—His Horae Stolen. When I joined the Rough Riders in ■the field I had nothing but my oldest suit of clothes and a good six-shooter, writes Edward Emerson, in Collier’s 'Weekly. “Haven’t you anything of your own?" asked Colonel Roosevelt, after -a pitying glance at my bicycle slippers and straw hat. “I have some extra eyeglasses, sir,* •I said. “Well, you’ll have to rustle for a uniform and equipments,” remarked the colonel, “but you’d better be caretui how you do it.” At the next inspection I was arrayed ; in-a First Regular cavalry hat, a shirt from the Ne.w York Seventyfirst, Spanish trousers, a navy revolver, in a German cavalry holster from the Prussian military attache, a

Cuban machete, a Red Cross blanket, •nd a mule-driver’s poncho. “Where did you get the clothes?” asked Colonel Roosevelt, adding i quickly, “I won’t ask. As long as you have a uniform you’ll do." With this encouragement from a high quarter I was duly started on my military career, and it was not my ifault if I lacked for aught hencefor'ward. Yet I learned that the thing could be overdone. That same night there was a terrific row because some 'Napoleonic genius succeeded in filching the only package of sugar in the icutfit, just after the captain’s orderly had formally donated It to the troops. Every man’s hand was lifted against the other, and the quarrels and recriminations became so fierce that several of the former cattlemen six-shooters dangling at their ihlps. Next day I was ordered to report •t division headquarters, across the IhilL While I was standing at attentlon I heard the following dialogue between General Wheeler and his adjutant: “I have found ' your saddlehorse, sir.” “Where was it?” “In the Rough Riders* camp." “Well, I’ll be d—d! How did it get there?” “They stole it, sir.” “Where Is it now?” "It Is still over there. They claim lit is their own and refuse to give it up. Thev say they found it grazing 1n their trenches four days ago.” The old general arose in his wrath, wxclaiming: "Is there anything those tdevlls won’t steal? Report the facts to Colonel Roosevelt with my compliments, and. tell him that I must s insist on having my horse returned.” The adjutant departed and General 'Wheeler turned to me. As he recognized the cross sabers and number on imy army hat his face clouded and he isajd: “So you are one of the Rough Riders. Well, you may be good fighters , —in fact you have shown yourselves Ito be good fighters—but for downright thievery you are the worst I have ever known. Why, your camp Is known all over the army as the den of thieves. It is a wonder to rhe how some of you managed to get out here 'unhanged.” “We have the sheriff of Cripple Creek to keep us straight, sir,” said !I, saluting. and was promptly sent (•way on detail. When 1 got back to our camp I found the general's horse still grazing iat its place, while the general's adjujtant was making excited expostulations In front of Roosevelt's tent.

Where Did You Get the Clothes?