KHAKI SHIRTS: One of the more bizarre chapters in McKean County
history was written by a Crosby man – a soldier of fortune who
supposedly had aspirations of being another Adolph
Hitler.[neWLine]

The man’s name was Arthur J. Smith and his globe-trotting
adventures were making the news in the 1930s.[neWLine]

J.R. Herzog of Smethport sent us a couple newspaper clippings on
this individual, adding, “”Oddly, no one seems to remember
him.””[neWLine]

Given Smith’s professed beliefs and unorthodox activities, we
might theorize that some people were happy to forget
him![neWLine]

It’s just such people, however, that make good fodder for RTS –
two columns, in fact. Our second column on this man will run
tomorrow.[neWLine]

The Democrat in Smethport introduces us to the man in an article
dated Feb. 9, 1933. The headline reads, “”Capt. Art Smith, Soldier
Fortune, Emulates Hitler: Organizes Khaki Shirts for March on
Washington.””[neWLine]

The text reads, “”Capt. Arthur J. Smith, soldier of fortune, who
hails from Crosby near Smethport, has again appeared in the
spotlight of national attention.””[neWLine]

“”News dispatches from Philadelphia Tuesday told that Smith, who
was know as ‘Herbert’ Smith when he lived in McKean County, now is
commander-in-chief of the Khaki Shirts of America. The organization
was formed as a political party a year ago when the bonus army was
frustrated in attempts to get results in Washington.[neWLine]

“”Many Smethport radio listeners were given a surprise Tuesday
evening when Lowell Thomas quoted the press dispatch in his regular
broadcast of news of the day.[neWLine]

“”The Crosby man has had a series of experiences which could
fill several volumes.[neWLine]

“”He ran away from his home in Crosby when a young lad and went
to Mexico, where he served with the revolutionary forces of Pancho
Villa.[neWLine]

“”The World War broke out, and he went to England on a tramp
steamer, lied about his age and served with distinction with the
British Expeditionary Forces in France.[neWLine]

“”The United States entered the war, and Smith joined his
countrymen without any ceremony, narrowly escaping trial for
desertion from the British Army.””[neWLine]

We hate to leave our readers hanging but there’s much, much more
on this man until he met his untimely demise only a few years later
– and by natural causes.