The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-09-09
rHIRTY-NINE OUT OF EiGHTY-sIx
Co. G Reached the City Late Sunday
Night-A Royal Reception-Reward of
Merit for Lieut.. Retain.


After passing through experiences which
would make the strongest hearts turn sick
with despair and sometimes with very
loathng; after facing Mauser bullets,
Spanish shells, hard labor under tropical
sun, the horrors of hospital experience and
the reeking filth of transports where horses
occupied the deck above them, the gallant
boys of Company G, only thirty nine strong,
at last reached home on Sunday evening,
Drowned. and some of them wasted, but all
of them as uncomplaining, as loyal, and as
brave as the day last April when they
shouldered their rifles and blanket bags and
started out at the country's call.
The company left New York Friday
evening and reached Detroit Saturday even
ing, remaining at the Russell House until
Sunday evening when they started for home
In special Car attached to the ID. d M. ex-
cursion train. The citizens had been in
formed of the time of arrival, however, and
it was no small crowd that assembled to
meet the train. Among the boys on the
train the first thing noticed by those who
sat near window on the north side of the
car, after they began te see the lights of the
city. was the heavy roar of the water works
whistle blowing a welcome as the train
entered the city. Among the people at the
station the feeling became doubly intense
as they stood packed in close mass, back
and beyond the station and kept from the
passage way by guards, while the water
works whistle and the train whistle an
nounced that the time to wait was short.
At last the train arrived and stopped, and
amidst the joyous cheers of the crowd and
the waving of Old Glory the boys began to
step from the car and pass along the crowd.
The bands began to play Home Sweet
Home," and to the strains of this grand old
song of the heart, which It Is fair to say
none would have dared to sing or play In
the presence of the company but few days
before, the boys formed in double COL
umn and marched around the station led by
the mayor and the committee appointed to
receive them, to the long line of hacks and
carriages waiting to carry them to their
homes.
The crowd was wild with joy, and while
some ran or rode ahead to gain good place
at the armory, many walked beside the car
riages, eager to catch glimpse OF the
Drowned faces and the brown and blue uni
forms, and to hear a word of greeting from
the lips of old friends. Another crowd
was in waiting at the Washington street
bridge, and then all the way up to the
armory the crowd grew thicker and thicker
until the procession of hacks and carriages
could hardly pass.
At the armory, which was handsomely
decorated with chinese lanterns and big
arc light, the procession stopped and Rev.
C. V. Northrop, who was on the reception
committee, gave brief address of welcome
which we'll expressed the feelings of all.
The procession of carriages then started
again, each one stopping In turn in front OF
the center of the armory, while a few words
and greetings we're exchanged with the
boys inside who were then taken away in
the carriages to their homes.
The next morning, in fast all Monday
forenoon, the armOry was the scene or q
sort of an Informal reception, the boys
coming down to meet each other and look
over the property placed there for safe
keeping, and their friends coming to meet
them and exchange greetings with them.
Finally the company was lined up In double
rank, a space was cleared away In front
and the command, Company left" was
given and executed-the first time any
company movement with front of more
than one or two men has been executed
since leaving Camp Alger. Then after thu
company had been halted and seated, anc
red and pink carnations had been distribut
ed to each, James Osburn, of the Military
Board, called Lieut.. Retain forward ant
thanking him and the rest of the cLmpan!
for the honor conferred upon him by plac
ing him on the military board, he remarked
that Mayor Kerwin had something to say t
him in behalf of the company. The mayo
then presented Lieut.. Retain with
handsome gold watch chain and charm as
very slight token of the great esteem II
which they held him and the hearty goo'
will they had for him. 1t was simple lit
tie incident but 1t was just the little act o
kindness to touch the lieutenant's heart
and he was unable to say word In reply
The confidence and sympathy among ther
was touchingly illustrated and there wa
scarcely a man among those tried an
noble fellows who could or who cared {
conceal the tears which came unbidden
his eyes as he saw the lieutenant VIII
'cared for the boys" so affected at thei
little act of remembrance. Nor were ther
many dry eyes among the crowd Of friend
gathered around-few of whom have an
realization of the constant labor and Cal
which Lieut.. Retain has exerted for tt
boys.
Before leaving the armory the compan
was photographed by Welte Il Mclean.
, The members of the company who cam