The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-07-13
STIRRING
SCENES,
A Fun Week of Patriotic Enthu-
siasm.
BsEAKING HoHE TIES AND LAST GOOD
RYEs BY SOLDIER
BOYS.
Capt. Taylor and Gov. bob" "


Capt. Taylor and Gov. bob"
Last week WAS a memorable one IN the
history of Somerset. The scenes wit
messed, while perhaps only areprod1c-
ton of similar scenes witnessed here fol-
lowing the outbreak of the civil war,
were new TO a majority Of our people and
every move was watched with intense in
terest, not only by the citizens Of Somer-
set, but by hundreds of others from va
rious parts Of the county who came TO say
good bye and wish God speed to their
relatives and friends who had volunteer
the war with Spain, and who stood ready
to march at the word Of command into
the hell of battle in defense of the Flag.
Some of the scenes witnessed on the
streets were never to be forgotten: where
a sturdy youth, filled with the fire OF
patriotism. parted, perhaps for the last
time, with his widowed mother and faith
eFless sisters and brothers; where hus-
band gave a last fond embrace to his wife
and children; or in the family home
where an only son. or two brothers, re-
eeived the benediction of their parents
and loved ones. On the other hand were
determined young men who had len
their places on the farm, in the shops
and business Offices, sfter a hurried fare
well to their friends, ard came here
among strangers TO volunteer in the army
and were impatient to experience the
perils and hirdships ,of war beneath
tropical sun in a strange land But 1t
was only those who were sobered by
the thought of parting with their low
ed ones and friends who gave way TO
their feelings, and In a majority of cases
their emotions were of sudden and short
duration, yielding to the inspiration and
exciting scenes that were being enacted
on All sides.
The excitement began on Monday Of
last week when the recruiting officers for
the 5th, Captain H. s. Taylor, aud Quar-
termaster- Sergeant Herbert Burchtield
arrived and established headquarters in
Grand Army Hall, with DIR. Perry f.
Shafier as examining surgeon, and Lewis
Gasteiger as clerk.
Captain Kooser, who had been chiefly
instrumental in securing permission
from Gov. Hastings and in organizinga
volunteer company in Somerset and Bed
ford counties, was sought after by hum
dreds who wanted to know just what was
required to enter the service and gener-
ally all about it. Had he paused to reply
TO all OF the questions fired at him it Is
altogether probable that the mastering
officers would be in Somerset to-day and
that the full complement for Company l
would be lacking a number of men.
Captain Kooser hurried those whom he
knew would enlist before the examining
board and kept the telephone wires work
ing between various points in the county
directing the men he had previously Wis
tied 10 report for examination. with the
result that y men had passed the physi-
cal examination at the close of business
Tuesday evening.
CoNPLIMETED BY THE BANDS.
Among the men who had enlisted were
a number of the most popular and prom
inent young men of Elk Lick. whittier
word had gone that the company would
start south on Thursday. As testimO-
nial of the valor of her sons and grace
ful compliment TO their friends and
neighbors, the members of the Salisbury
band, accompanied by large delegation
of ladies and gentlemen arrived on the
noon train wednesday for the purpose of
giving Company l a rousing send-off.
The unexpected arrival of the band and
the inspiring patriotic tunes they dis
coursed on the streets filed the air with
patriotism and stimulated those who had
resolved TO enlist 10 more speedy action.
Wednesday evenings train brought the
Meyersdale band and 4 large proportion
of the population of that place to Somer-
set, their mission being TO bid farewell to
the Meyersdale boys who had enlisted
and to participate in the excitement incl
dent to the departure of the troops.
The bands paraded the streets, illumin-
ated by red lights and reverberating
with the sound Of explosives from an
early hour until long after midnight,
while the side walks were lined with
cheering men and women, boys and
girls. All day Thursday the principal
streets were choked with crowds of people
wrought up TO a high state Of excitement,
and Thursday night witnessed repeti
ton of the exciting scenes of the night
before.
Friday night Uncle Sans soldiers. the
gallant boys Of Company l, took possess
sion of the town and the scenes witness
ed on the public square, where a store
box placed in the centre served as a
speakers stand from which many Of the
boys made patriotic and humorous ad-
dresses, was the centre of interest for a
cheering crowd composed OF several
hundred people.
INTE RRoGATING RECRUITS.
Up in the Grand Army Post Room
Captain Taylor and Sergeant Burch aeld
were impstiently waiting for word from
Lieutenant Howe, of the Regular Army.
who had been designated to come here
and muster in the recruits. A number of
men were still lacking to ill up the full
quota OF the company and they were
anxious that lO5 good men should have
passed the critical physical examination
aud be ready to be sworn into the volun-
teer army when he arrived. Thu rsday a
message was received fiom the War De-
partment directing Captain Taylor 10
muster the company.
Every train that arrived here daring
the days intervening between Monday
and Saturday brought from one to six
men who desired to enlist. The men
soon found their way to the recruiting
headquarters were they were sharply in
terrogated by Captain Taylor.
"How cid are you, young man." was
the first question asked. II under age, az
was the response in perhaps thirty cases,
the candidate was directed to return
home and get the written consent of his
parents
whats the matter with that LEFT eye of
yours" was the question fired at another
class OF would-be-volunteers.
Nothing that l know Of" answered
the candidate.
TRY him Sergeant" commanded the