rare and unusual all original turn of the century antique american industrial strong box or traveling chest issued to lt. roy b. harper of the 7th cavalry regiment of the united states army. the chest is comprised of painted wood with a nicely weathered army green paint finish. the officer's name and division is found on the front in stenciled lettering, along with a large brightly colored yellow painted star. the chest is reinforced with riveted steel straps and contains two opposed wrought iron drop handles and lockable hasps. the interior is lined with sheet steel or tin. the oversized chest remains in great overall condition, considering age. the cabinet fabricator is not known. colonel roy beveridge harper, of the u. s. cavalry, was born in chicago, ill., august 6, 1874, and died at his home in the same city, june 7, 1941. he spent his early childhood in chicago, where he attended public grammar and private high schools until going to braden’s at highland falls, n. y., preparatory for west point, which he entered from the 1st district of illinois, june 21, 1893, and graduated june 11, 1897. assigned as 2d lieutenant to the 7th cavalry upon graduation, he was stationed at ft. grant, arizona. he was given a temporary commission as lt. col. in the 1st illinois vol. cav., october 11, 1898 and was mustered out december 1898. he joined the 7th cav. to cuba, november to december 1899 and was appointed aide to major general adna lt. chaffee, havana, may 1900. while serving as aide to major general chaffee in china, july 1900, he participated in several battles, including peitsang, yangtsun, peking, imperial city and in the expedition against patachow temples. he was promoted to 1st. lieut., cav., february 2, 1901 and served at manila from may 1901, till october 1902, at which time he returned to the united states and served at governors island to october 1903. he was promoted to captain, cav., may 25, 1903. he sailed to the philippine islands, december 1905 and served with the 3d cavalry to february 1908. upon returning to ft. clark, texas, 1908, he served at various stations till detailed into commissary department, february 29, 1912. on november 1915 assigned to 12th cavalry, and saw service in the mexico expedition, april-october 1916. he was appointed major, february 6, 1917, temporary lt. col., august 5, 1917, being detailed in adjutant general’s department, and colonel, january 1918. he was stationed at the general supply depot, chicago, and new orleans till july 1919. he was discharged as temporary colonel, july 1919. he was promoted to colonel of cavalry, july 1, 1920. at ft. clark, texas, he commanded the 13th cavalry and post, july 1919 to september 1921. his last station was commanding the 13th cavalry at fort d. a. russell from september 1921 to october 1923. he retired at his own request, january 18, 1924. he was awarded two silver stars for separate “gallantries in action” in china. his service medals include: the spanish war, cuban occupation, china campaign, philippine campaign, mexican campaign, and world war.