Colored Troops Honored

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, February 20, 1919: More than 200 returning colored soldiers were honored last night by Gov. Goodrich, Mayor Jewett, friends, and relatives at a home coming welcome held at Tomlinson Hall. The mayor praised the soldiers for their loyalty and the governor paid tribute to the acts of bravery of the soldiers and said they were among the first troops crossing the Rhine. Henry Butler, Russell Owen and William Crowel, the first black soldiers to return to Indianapolis from France, were formally presented to the audience. Corporal Owen had been wounded on the front lines. The Indianapolis Choral Study Club gave a patriotic musical program with the audience joining in. Proceeding the meeting, the soldiers paraded through downtown streets escorted by black fraternal groups - the Knights of Pythias, Clay’s Military Band, and the Masonic Band.

“Colored Troops Honored,” The Indianapolis Star, 20 February 1919, p. 9:3

Advertisements:

#1919 #worldwarone #postwar #MayorJewett #GovernorGoodrich #africanamercans #blacksoldiers #TomlinsonHall #patriotism #celebration

Training School for Police to Be Opened

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, February 15, 1919: It was announced today by George Coffin, chief of police, that a school for instructing members of the Indianapolis police department in up-to date methods will open next week. The school, to be conducted twice a week, will enable police officers to be more properly trained to carry on their duties. The courses will include instruction in field work, first aid for caring to the injured, ethics, the use of firearms, report writing, social service work, and instructions in state laws and city ordinances. Previously, new police officers have learned from older officers based on the ancient theory that experience is the best teacher. “With conditions constantly changing, it is necessary that the method of doing police duty also be changed in order to keep up with the times,” said Chief Coffin.

“Training School for Police to Be Opened,” The Indianapolis News, 15 February 1919, p. 2:6

Advertisement:

#1919 #police #training

Round Up Draft Deserters

From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, February 14, 1919: The 124 Indiana local boards have reported 13,000 delinquents to the state draft headquarters. Maj. Robert Baltzell, Indiana draft executive, conferred yesterday with L. Ert Slack, U. S. district attorney, to arrange a final review of the records of draft deserters. It is estimated that 75 per cent of the delinquents will be cleared up because many of the registered men who failed to file a questionnaire or appear for a physical examination enlisted in the army or had been inducted as “non-willful deserters.” Also, the number will be reduced because of duplications. When the final list of delinquents is completed it will be forwarded to the provost marshal general and the U. S. Justice Department in Washington with recommendations for court-martial if an individual is found to be a willful deserter.

“Round Up Draft Deserters,” The Indianapolis Star, 14 February 1919, p. 3:6

Advertisement:

#1919 #worldwarone #postwar #draft #conscription #conscientiousobjector #draftdeserters