The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-07-13

Saturday morning. for the purpose Of
seeing that three days rationss plates,
tincups, knives. forks etc, weEs provid-
ed for the use Of Company ], while en-
route to Chieknaanga.
He found that sufficient rations had
not been received from the commissary
department and was obliged 10 pa rchase
a large quantity Of canned meats, boiled
hams, etc, from local grocery houses.
cHEERED BY THOUSANDS
There was perfect jam OF people In
trout of The Court House, Saturday after
noon, aud among the thousands present
few could bo seen whose eyes were free
from moisture. The soldier boys ming
led among the crowd bidding friends good
bye, aud, notwithstanding tie excite
ment of the hour. tears unbidden started
to their eyes and their voices chok-
ed with emotion, when they clasped the
hands of their friends perhaps for the
last time. A number of the volunteers,
great stslwart fellows, wept freely and
made no effort to hide their tears, thus
bearing positive evidence of the sacrifice
they had made in ssvering home-ties at
the cali of duty. Captain Kooser. with
determined expression and eyes spark
ling with suppressed excitement and
smothered emotion. suddenly appeared
from his home on the opposite side of the
street aud gave the command, Fall In -
a minute afterwards the IO6 boys were
in line and each one proudly and loudly
answered TO his name. Gray-haired ma
irons, wives and widows OF veterans,
passed along the line and grasping the
soldier boys by the hand whispered a
prayer for their safe return. Out in the
street the veteran members of r. p.
Cummins Post, G. A. R.. were in posi-
ton 10 lead the procession to the railroad
station, while the members of the local
fire companies, with their hose carts
glistening in the sun. stood ready to fall
in behind. Captain Kooser marched his
company away from the crowd to point
where photographer secured a picture
of them. Finally at $3.50 o'clock, at the
command. Forward, March, - Company
/ in double file marched out under the
shadow of the soldiers monument into
Main Cross street. A mighty shout from
three thousand throats went up as the
head Of the column appeared.
TUE PROCESSION MOVES.
Business had been entirely suspended
since noon and as the procession started
to move there was a wild scramble on
the part of the crowd to gain a point of
vantage from which to view it, Houses
all along the route were decorated
with bunting and fsss, while flags were
waved by ladies and children from every
window and yeranda along the streets
trayersed.
The procession was made up as follows:
Berlin Drum Corps,
Veterans of the Grand Army,
Meyersdale Cornet Band,
Company l, Fifth Reg. Pa. Vol.
Somerset Drum Corps,
Pioneer Fire Company,
East End Fire Company.
The cheering that broke out when the
procession started was continued with
out interruption all along the route until
the soldier boys had marched down
Main Cross to Main, TO West. to Patriot,
to. the railroad stations spontaneous
ovation such as has never been rendered
to any body of men by the citizens OF
Somerset.
MEMORABLE SPECTACLE
Hating at the railroad station the
Grand Army veterans fell into open
ranks and stood with uncovered heads
while the patriotic youths who are follow
ing in their footsteps, with their heads
also uncovered in honor Of the veteran
Neenders of the Nations honor, passed
between. Tumultuous applause greeted
this graceful and fitting act.
AS soon as the enthusiasm had partial
ly subsided Elder Mullendore, of the Di-
sciple Church, raised his hand and the
great crowd was suddenly hushed while
he delivered fervent prayer in behalf Of
the members of Company l, and asked
the God of Nations to care for and protect
them and return them safely TO their
homes after they have discharged their
duty to their country.
OFF FOR THE SOUTH.
Four passenger coaches and baggage
car were waiting to be occupied by the
troops, each soldier having a seat to him
self Guards were stationed at the doors
of the coaches and none but the volunteer
soldiers were admitted to them.
Lieutenant Hay, who had carefully
watched the embarkation Of the cOmpa-
ny signaled the conductor that all was
right, and moment later the wheels of
the train began TO revolve, and in few
minutes Somerset eOunty's first volunteer
company in the war with Spain was
speeding away for the south.
The cheering on the part of the crowd
was very faint when the train rolled
away. the hearts of those who witnessed
its departure being too heavy with
thoughts of how many Of the Grave boys
might be missing when Company l re-
turns to Somerset
The soldier boys shouted yociferously
as long as they were in sight of Somerset.
thus emphasizing their impatience p en-
ter upon the actual duties Of military life.