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m. 6 May 1869
Facts and Events
William was a Private in the United States Army, stationed at San Francisco. He served 15 years honorable service. On April 26, 1908[10], William attended a lecture given by anarchist Emma Goldman, later shook hands with her, and was court-martialed. William "was convicted and sentenced to be dishonorably discharged and confined for five years at hard labor at Alcatraz Island."[11] "Ten months later, Buwalda was pardoned by President Roosevelt himself." [12]
[edit] Letter to the Secretary of War"We quote a recent letter of his to the Secretary of War, in which he enclosed a medal awarded him for faithful army service in the Philippines": Hudsonville, Michigan April 6, 1909 Hon. Joseph M. Dickinson, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.: Sir:- After thinking the matter over for some time I have decided to send back this trinket to your Department, having no further use for such baubles, and enable you to give it to some one who will appreciate it more than I do. It speaks to me of faithful service, of duty well done, of friendships inseparable, friendships cemented by dangers and hardships and sufferings shared in common in camp and in the field. But, sir, it also speaks to me of bloodshed --- possibly some of it unavoidably innocent --- in defence of loved ones, of homes; homes in many cases but huts of grass, yet cherished none the less. It speaks of raids and burnings, of many prisoners taken and, like vile beasts, thrown in the foulest prisons. And for what? For fighting for their homes and loved ones. It speaks to me of General Order 100, with all its attendant horrors and cruelties and sufferings; of a country laid waste with fire and sword; of animals useful to man wantonly killed; of men, women, and children hunted like wild beasts, and all this in the name of Liberty, Humanity, and Civilization. In short, it speaks to me of War - legalized murder, if you will -upon a weak and defenceless people. We have not even the excuse of self-defence. Yours sincerely,  [edit] On the Trail"GRAND RAPIDS furnished a new experience, doubly pleasant because of the opportunity it offered to meet once more our ex-soldier, William Buwalda. Our readers have probably been wondering what has become of our friend after his release from the tender arms of the government. William Buwalda has exchanged the iron bands of mental deception for a free and broader outlook upon life, while his soul, dwarfed for fifteen years by the soldier's coat, has since expanded and blossomed out like a flower in the fresh and unrestricted air of mother earth. Our comrade has been left with an old mother to look after his father having died last year. He often longs to go back to the world and to more vital activity, but with his usual simplicity he said, "What right have I, as a free man, to inflict burdens upon others that I am unwilling to carry?" Therefore he remains to take care of the old lady; yet he has not become rusticated. On the contrary, William Buwalda has used his time well, not merely for extensive reading, but for the absorption and assimilation of our ideals. The old Dutch mother, the kindly hostess moving about in her quaint Dutch surroundings, was like a study of Rembrandt. It made one feel far removed from the mad rush of American life. Buwalda's efforts for the Grand Rapids meeting proved a great success. It was one of the few splendid affairs of this tour."[14] [edit] External links
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