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Colonel <em>George W. Goode</em> was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 21, 1856, and was appointed to the Military Academy in 1875. Joining the class of 1879 he was, at the close of his first year, turned back and joined the Class of 1880. He graduated with credit in that class, June 12th of that year. Why he was turned back to the following class is not known to the writer, but conceivably it was from some infraction of discipline, rather than academic standing; for he worked hard and graduated with his new class. It is very likely that it came as a punishment for hazing new cadets; but he had a kind heart and not a mean streak in his makeup. Hazing was the thing to do at that time in the Corps of Cadets in leisure moments, and it was not a sin in the Cadet world unless it was found out and severe punishment inflicted. So, or not, Goode was one of the most popular cadets in both the classes, ‘79 and ‘80, as he was later in all his Army life.</p>
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When he came to West Point he was conspicuous from his hair, which was red; naturally, his cadet nickname was “Gory,” Gory Goode, and like most cadets who were given by their fellows that token of affection—a nickname—he was very proud of it. Not so long ago, in a visit to him, the writer happened to address him as “George” and got in reply “Have you forgotten my real name?” With it came an admonition not to let it occur again.</p>
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Gory was tall and handsome, and he retained his cadet figure and bearing all his life. He was a fine horseman and practically all his service was in the Cavalry. Frederick Remington once said of him “He is my ideal of a Cavalryman.” On graduation he joined the 1st Cavalry; the dates of his promotions follow:</p>
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2nd Lieut., 1st Cavalry, June 12, 1880</p>
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1st Lieut., Cavalry Feb. 1, 1891</p>
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Captain, Cavalry March 2, 1899</p>
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Major, Cavalry Aug. 3, 1909</p>
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Retired at his own request, (after 30 years’ service) July 22, 1911</p>
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Recalled to Active Service, July 3, 1914</p>
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Colonel, Retired July 9, 1918</p>
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Relieved from Active Duty, Nov. 19, 1918</p>
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The following is a very condensed statement of his service:</p>
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From 1880 to the outbreak of the War with Spain he was, most of the time, in the Northwest and Southwest with his regiment, with occasional detached service—at the Military Prison, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; at the Missouri Military Academy, Mexico. Missouri, as Professor of Military Science and Tactics; and back to the regiment to participate in many campaigns against the Apaches and perhaps other Tribes.</p>
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<em>War with Spain</em></p>
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In 1898 he went with his regiment from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Camp G. H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, and to El Paso and Canay, Cuba, where he fought with it during that campaign. For his part, he received the Silver Star Citation.</p>
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After the close of that war, still with the Cavalry, he was for a time on recruiting duty; he commanded the post at Yellowstone Park and was the acting superintendent of the Park; he was in the Philippines from 1907 to 1909. After returning home with his regiment, he was retired in 1911 at his own request, after 30 years’ service.</p>
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In 1911 he was returned to Active Duty and given command of the Apache war prisoners until 1914. Then he again went to recruiting, until 1918.</p>
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It is of interest to record here Colonel Goode’s service with the Apache prisoners for some three years, as it is probably the last of that kind of duty for the Army. The writer quotes from a letter from Mrs. Goode:</p>
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“His work with the Apache Prisoners of War was fine. He found them drunken, hopeless, and demoralized, both the men and women: their money paid out to white men who worked their farms and what was left spent in town for liquor. George fired the farm hands and made the Indians work their farm. The money they had received had gone directly to the saloons of Lawton, and George told them that their money should be put in the bank and that each should draw a check for as much as he needed, each month, until the next cattle sale. At first they objected, but before long they were more than contented. Needless to say, the saloonkeepers were furious and tried to have George removed, writing villainous letters to dear Granger Adams (Commanding Officer, Fort Sill) which he tore up and threw in the waste basket. When the Government freed them in order to get their land, George established the younger Indians on farms and took the older ones, who wanted to be Reservation Indians, down to Meseadero and established them there.”</p>
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<em>World War</em></p>
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Colonel Goode telegraphed the War Department for any active duty available, and he was made Inspector, Arizona Border Patrol District, Fort Douglas, Arizona, until relieved in November, 1918.</p>
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Goode was always mentally active, and physically, too, until shortly before his death. To the writer, his photograph in this Memorial shows him not only ready to get up and do things, but to go out and do them anywhere, at once, if ordered. His death was a relief from physical weakness and pain, and not entirely unexpected, but none the less a shock to all whose memories went back to earlier days, when he was the embodiment of health and vigor. To the writer, Gory was a close and lifelong friend, but not to him alone; he was that to the living members of the Class of ‘80, and to those who have gone before, as well. The living members, now octogenarians, have in their old age happy and vivid memories of this loved classmate.</p>
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The Goodes were married on November 22, 1899, and finally settled in San Diego for some twelve happy years, until his death. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Susie C. Goode of San Diego, California, and her three daughters: Mrs. George Priest of St. Louis, Mrs. Carroll Knowles of Hollywood, California, and Mrs. W. E. Burr of Washington, D.C.</p>
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He is buried in the Army National Cemetery, Port Rosecrans, California.</p>
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<em>—C. J. B.</em></p>
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