Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-05-05
MICHIGAN BOYS ARE READY.
Camped at Island Lake Waiting for
a Call to the Front.
STATES PATRIOTISM ABLAZE.
Michigan National Guard In Camp at
island Lake Preparing to go to the
Front-The Michigan Naval Reserves
Called Out-DoubIe Drowning.


have for over 30 years fioated only over
scenes of peace are now leading the
thousands of Liberty's noblest sons who
are to do or die to bring freedom to a
sister nation and to hurl from this hem
isphere the last vestige of the tyrant
power of one of the most cruel nations
Gods sun ever shone upon. From east
to west, from north to south, the boys
in blue are marching, and with them
90 the prayers of loved ones that vic
tory may speedily rest upon their ban
ners. From ever state of our beloved
united land the youth and strength of
city home and country freside are raj
lying with enthusiasm to the call of
the nations rulers.
And Michigan, my Michigan, as in
that last great conflict, thou art ready
to pour forth thy children and thy
treasure to join the glorious throng.
Yes. Michigan will do her duty.
Even before the call to arms was
sounded thousands of brave Michigan
bows had offered their lives to their
country. In few hours after the
Presidents call for volunteers Gov.
Pingree was able to notify the Wash
ington authorities that his men were
ready when wanted.
The departure of the state troops
from their various homes was made the
occasion for the most enthusiastic dem
onstrations that have occurred since
81. Perhaps Saginaw gave her boys
the greatest send-otf, over %, 900 people
witnessing the procession which es-
corted Cos. ID and L, Third regiment,
NJ. n. G., and No. 3 division of the
Michigan Naval Reserves. Business
was practically suspended and almost
every building was decorated Hun
dreds of school children marched and
carried flags A fife and drum corps
composed of prominent business men
and veterans of the civil war created
intense enthusiasm. "Old Glory" pro
duced by electric lights, suspended
across the principal avenue, was in
cessantly cheered. Thousands of De-
troit's citizen crowded the line of march
wli%n-the Fourth "eyimeut started for
md, = srsln and the boys were escorted
by the G.. A. X. posts and the veteran
corps of the Light Guards and Light
Infantry, and were cheered continually
At many places, notably Grand Rapids,
Lansing, jackson, Port Huron. Flint,
Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Sault Ste.
Marie and Adrain business places were
closed and the school children, civic
societies, bands and prominent citizens
escorted the militiamen to the depot
At Port Huron each soldier was pre-
scented with S. in gold. In many places
movements have been started to take
care of the families of soldiers who
will become dependent. Detroit's lead.
ing citizens have given the boys assur-
ancc that no loved one shall suffer dur
ing their absence The Governors
Guards at Lansing were presented with
a handsome silk flag by the Elks.
Everywhere patriotism was at a
white heat. All through the towns
and cities of both peninsulas the en-
thusiastic scenes were repeated, and
the progress of the companies was one
big ovation.
Al lSlanu Lake Une qudrterlndSuer-
generals details had been hard at work
and by the time the troops arrived the
tents were up, and the camp in readi-
ness. While the quarters are somewhat
rougher than they are used to at the
annual camp, they will nevertheless be
better than many bivouac they will
make, if given field service. Contracts
have been closed for meat and bread,
the hospital force will be complete.
Gen. VIM. l.. White thinks the troops
will remain at Island Lake three weeks
and then start for the south, but not
for the extreme south. There will be
no frills or functions in the camp, but
everything, even in the rations, will
be on war footing. During the three
weeks the soldiers will be diligently
drilled with special attention to open
ranks work and guard duty.
Gov. Pingree has appointed Capt
Cornelius Gardner, of the 10th infan'
try, U. S. A., as colonel of the Fourth
regiment NJ. n. G..