The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-01
Camp Merritt, Juue IS, 1898.

most as true of a native of our own
loyal old State, as it was of the
Englishman in the days of Monroe.
Kansas boys are particularly attached
to their State. And though she be
beset by drouth, grass-hoppers,
cyclones, ETC., ETC.. "With all her
faults they love her still," and are
ever ready to take up the cudgel in
her defense, whenever or wherever
she may be assailed. When we left
our State for the "far westn 1t was
with considerable degree of distrust
and misgiving, taking as we did,
what almost seemed q leap in the
dark, and as we crossed the Kansas
line more than one face turned back
ward to have a last look at the re-
ceeding landscape, they had so learn
ed to love. Travelling through the
prairie dog and sage brush regions of
Colorado, Utah and Nevada we found
little there to attract us from the
garden spot we had left behind. OF
course we gazed with some wonder at
the heavy head of Pixies Peak Though
distant about seventy miles our
thoughts of him were of short dura-
ton, for we knew before. hand that he
was there and liable to stay Cline
immemOrial. :" The change came
when we struck the California line
Town after town We'd with each other
in welcoming the recruits, and show
ing their appreciation by patriotic
actions and substantial demOnstra-
tions. This was continued until we
reached our destination-San Fran
cisco. When we landed from the
steamer piedmont" we were march.
ed to the ferry where we partook of
an excellent supper prepared and
served by the Ladies of the Red
Cross Society" From that time I'M
til this, the heart of every Kansas
boy has been gladdened almost hourly
by some kind ministration from these
almost ANGELS on earth" Words
are not at my command to impress as
L would like, upon the minds of Kan
sas people the worth of the Red Cross
Society. Their organization is non
sectarian and non-political. Their
mission Is the relief of suffering or dis
tress wherever found and their pa
triotic hearts turn especially to the
boys who have enlisted as guardians
of their nations flag. Wherever one
nfN Aa.h nx ta "A 4 al a 1t.
will be piled cans of jelly, fruit and
other delicacies mot found on Uncle
Sans menu) all furnished by the La
dies of the Red Cross Societies. The
fraternal organizations all look well
after their own, and the people of San
Francisc in general are lavish in their
kindness and hospitality toward the
soldiers, but the field of the Red Cross
knows no limit, and to them partiality
Is q stranger.
| do not anticipate that the Kansas
boys will ever swerve in their loyalty
to their State, no more than they will
to their government, but when this
"cruel war is over" those boys who
return safely will always cherish in
their memories fond recollection for
the California people, aud especially
the Red Cross Society. SO if any are
missing In the Grand Review that
takes place in Topeka, after all Forts
are shelled and no other Spanish Do
mains to conquer, say that those
boys have settled IN California, and
while the recOllectious OF their native
State may he stamped on their mem
cries in characters 80 indelible that
Time may MT be ahle To etfsce them,
say for them that they have stood the
enemy's shot and shell, but at last
when the final cease firing" has been
sounded and their faces once more
turned toward the land of the Rising
sun and were met by the same dele
CATION of Red Cross Ladies' that greet
ed them so kindly when they first
landed, that they have concluded to
cast their fortunes with an adopted
country.
Eastern papers, whose only Object
is news for revenue only, and whose
scruples Of any ever existed) sunk
long before the "Maine', have seen
fit lin their inability to roasD to make
light of the way the boys were treat
ed by this noble and patriotic organ
ization. What they give you is mere
lv conjecture, with their information
unknown and their motive disdained
for 81, John, saw these things, aud
know whereof speak,, So much for
the above.
We were very much pleased to greet
Col. Funston yesterday, and every
soldiers heart leapt when he greeted
his regiment with smile. His pres
ence among US fills us with hopes that