The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-11
WEST SIDE EVENTS.
salvation Army Presented With the
Trophies Won in the War Cry Con-
test Details of the Celebration.

The Salvation army barracks on
Price street were crowded last evening
when the Scranton corps received the
trophies Of victory in the war Cry con-
test from the hands OF Mrs. Brlsadler
General Evans, of Philadelphia. II was
q great meeting and the crowded audi
torium of spectators will not soon for
got the low of the Salvati0nists during
the several hours of celebration. Mrs.
Evans, for the benefit OF the unin-
formed explained the nature of the
contest Her husband Is one of the
foremost workers in the Pennsylvania
division, and to increase the enective-
ness Of the War Cry, which. as Mrs.
Evans says, 'is full of Salvation from
cover to cover" Brigadier Evans sug-
gested that a prize be offered TO the
corp which sold the greater number Of
War Crys in a specified time, six weeks.
The prize offered was a silk American
flag. There was also another prize.
This was a blood and fire." flag, l. e.. "a
Salvation army banner, which would
be presented to the army making the
greatest increase in percentage Oh total
sales.
Captain Hannah Masland and Lieu
tenant Nellie Green, of the Scranton
corps decided to enter the contest. Their
soldiers were willing, and, as an
nounced In q former issue of The Trib-
une. the fight was won. Last night
was named for the reception of the
flags. 1t was expected that Brigadier
Evans would be present. but he was
detained. Before the meeting the army
with its brass band paraded the main
West Side streets Shortly after
o'clock the celebration at the barracks
was begun. The meeting opened with
the usual singing Of Salvation army
songs.
There was a feeling of general good
nature in soldier and spectator. Bad.
image, familiar to the army was eX-
changed at intervals and experiences
reclted Ensign Harris. Of the briga-'
der staff. sang IL song called THE
Rautess."
Every soldier spoke and echoed the
sentiment of speakers with the riOst
charming of abandon. THANK God
for THE Rautess' exclaimed one fe
male soldier. who is we'll on in age.
The man at the bass drum pounded
furiously when the soldiers applauded
or cheered and the instruments of the
band players lent their discord to the
general shout.
Then came the time for the presenta-
tion of the flags. Mrs. Evans arose and
told Of the contest. She said that when
getting off the train Staff Captain Nc
kenzie, of Wilkes Barre. who was pres.
ent at the meet. rushed up with the
direful news that the flags could no
where be found. He and others had.
searched every express Office in the
city, but the trophies We're missing.
Now" said Mrs. Evans. "the captain
has Just lifted burden from my mind
and" But she got no further At
that moment two soldiers appeared in
the main entrance and they carried
those two precious banners.
The JOY of the Salvationists when the
flags appeared amounted to frenzy.
The half hundred soldiers arose from
their seats on the platform and for
many minutes the barracks were the
scene of the greatest manifestations of
pleasure. The bass drum doomed, the
cornet footed, women screamed and the
men yelled, all in the greatest JOY
Handkerchiefs and small flags circled
over the heads of the soldiers and the
audience witnessed one of the prettiest
OF sights and monster evidence of the
ealnestness which characterize "a SOL
dier of the army" In every task he un-
dertakes. After awhile the sound died
out and the meeting proceeded.
Ldtet III tHe evening tne lldSS were
formally presented to the Scranton
corps by Mrs. Evans. In accepting,
Captain Masland. on behalf of her
corps, thanked her superior officer.
Captain Masland's short speech was
graceful and joyous. She and Lieuten-
ant Green have worked hard to secure
the trophies. and, perhaps. the compli-
lnent of Mrs Evans. when she told of
the two officers work, amply repays
them for their trouble. They are wor-
thy the thanks Of the city Of Scranton.
Only once during the evening were
the troubles of the army referred to,
and that was in the words Of Mrs. Ev-
ans. She said, in speaking of the
American flag, that this country was
dear to her. Three of her children
rest In an American cemetery. yet"
she said-and she carefully measured
each wOrd-"I will go wherever God
calls me. AS much as I love America,
] love Him more" The significant
part Of the sentiment is that the SOL
diers applauded 1t. Many Zines during
the evening "the dear old Salvation
army" was spoken Of by the soldiers.
1t can safely be said that, the Scranton
corps will not follow Balllngton Booth
In his American Volunteer" move
ment.