cation he was determined to
obtain. At last the time arrived when he and his sister departed for
Kirksville, Mo., to enter the State Normal School. His father had done
all in his power for him, but his main reliance now was upon himself.
There he continued his former steady methodical methods, doing well, but
not being looked upon as an exceptionally brilliant student. He was
still the same persistent, reliable, hard-working, successful student he
had formerly been.

It is not quite clear just when his decision for West Point was made.
His room-mate at the State Normal School reports that it was in the
spring when he and Pershing were at home in vacation time that the
matter was decided. According to his recollection and report to the
writer, when the two boys were at home the elder Pershing urged his
son's room-mate again to enter his store as clerk. A definite answer
was postponed until the following day. "So next day I saw Pershing," he
writes, "and asked him what he was going to do. He didn't know; he
didn't want to teach a spring term of school; believed he would go back
to Kirksville for ten weeks. And then came the West Point opportunity."

Another friend of Pershing at that time sends the following quotation
from the local paper which evidently places the date at another time:
"In looking over some old papers the other day, I ran across a copy of
the _Laclede News_ under date of December 28th, 1881, and among other
news items found the following: 'John J. Pershing will take his leave of
home and friends this week for West Point, where he will enter the
United States Military Academy. John will make a first-rate good-looking
cadet with Uncle Sam's blue, and we trust he will ever wear it with
honor to himself and the old flag which floats above him. John, here's
our hand! May success crown your efforts and long life be yours.'"

In reality, however, the only confusion is between the time when the
thought entered Pershing's mind and the time when he entered the
Military Academy.

An advertisement had appeared in the local papers concerning a
competitive examination for entrance. The announcement bore the name of
Congressman J. H. Barrows, the "greenback" representative of the
district, formerly a Baptist minister. He was looked upon by his
constituency as true and reliable, a reputation that was not without its
appeal to the lads who wanted to go to West Point. It is a current
report that not always had these a