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Cheyenne Record
Cheyenne Wells, Cheyenne County, Colorado
What is this article about?
Harry Woodrow Hamilton, a 19-year-old third cousin of President Woodrow Wilson from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, was accepted into the U.S. Marines in Denver on December 17, 1917, despite being 26.75 pounds underweight, after appealing through Senator John F. Shafroth to Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Geo. Barnett.
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Colorado Boy 26 Pounds Underweight Granted Permission on Appeal to Shafroth.
Harry Woodrow Hamilton of Cheyenne Wells, Colo, a third cousin of President Woodrow Wilson, was yesterday accepted for enlistment by Capt. J. C. Guggenheim, in charge of the Denver marine recruiting station after a week's effort upon his part to over ride the physical requirements of that service.
Hamilton who is 19 years old, came to Denver from Cheyenne Wells to enlist in the marines. He is 70 1-4 inches tall, but only weighs 130 pounds, and was therefore 26 3-4 pounds under weight.
However, he is otherwise all right. Captain Guggenheim at first rejected him, Hamilton was determined to go to fight the kaiser, and appealed by wire to Senator John F. Shafroth to intervene.
Shafroth took the matter up in Washington with Maj. Gen. Geo. Barnett, commandant of marines. Barnett wired to the Denver recruiting station for advice in the premises, and Captain Guggenheim replied, explaining that altho Hamilton is under weight he is qualified in other respects and had shown splendid fighting spirit in trying to enlist, despite the handicap from lack of sufficient avoirdupois.
Acting upon this presentation of the circumstances, General Barnett yesterday wired to Captain Guggenheim, instructing him to accept Hamilton. The youth will spend the holidays at home and will be transferred to the recruit depot at Mare Island, Calif about Jan. 1—By Mt News Dec. 18, 1917.
What sub-type of article is it?
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What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Denver, Colorado
Event Date
Dec. 17, 1917
Key Persons
Outcome
hamilton accepted for enlistment despite being underweight; will report to mare island, california, around january 1, 1918.
Event Details
Harry Woodrow Hamilton, 19-year-old third cousin of President Wilson from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, enlisted in the Marines in Denver after being initially rejected for being 26 3/4 pounds underweight. He appealed via Senator Shafroth, who consulted Marine Commandant Barnett, leading to approval based on his qualifications and spirit.