The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-05-06
FIRST ANNUAL MESS"
Members Of Co. | Banquet In Com
memOratiOn OF their Departure
for the Front.
SPEECHES-MUSIC- DREAMS -"


cries of it will iuyer in the hearts of
the participants as long as does that
memorable 2Slh day of July 1898, when
one hundred of Superior's best Young
men marched away at the call of the
President to do battle unto death if
need be for the cause of liberty and
justice, which event it commentaries.
Promptly at $50 Trumpeter Harry
Howell sounded the familiar notes
which announced that the first annual
mess" was ready, and it required no
First Sergeant's command to "fall in.
Two ranks We're quickly formed and
the bows marched into the banquet
hail to inspiring martial music by Alex
ander < Reimer's orchestra ana the
cheers of their friends gathered in the
hotel. Here the scene which greeted
them was one of grandeur that would
fire the patriotism of any lover of his
country. The arrangement of the tables
and decorations were under the Girec-
ton OF Corporal Rossiter and to him is
management Of the affair. The tables
formed a hollow rectangle of the pro-
portions OF an immense flag, and inside
the rectangle was the gigantic emblem
for which the boys had offered their
lives, filling the entire space. The
ceiling was p.otusely decked with bunt-
ing and III the center Of the room was
draped the company flag, presented by
the Ladies Industrial Society, the
memorial emblem to Lieut. Hector
Swift, and the Spanish flag taken from
the Spanish barracks at Ponce, Porto
Rico. Here and there beautiful palms
gave diversity to the colors, and as the
VETERANS" in their blue and brown
uniforms marched around the tables to
the stirring strains of the STARS and
Stripes Forever" the scene pictured
was one never to be forgotten, and
could the honored veterans of '6I-'65
been present on that occasion we are
sure that they would have felt that the
love for 'Old Glory" was just as strong
today as it ever was.
When the soldiers were com fortably
seated Lieutenant W. II. Smith, presi-
dent of the organizations, arose and
extended greeting to the members pres
ent and the guests Hon. Thomas b.
Mills and Kirby Thomas, and his words
met the hearty approval OF all. Secre
tary Emanua Rossiter called the roll
and about eighty responded there"
the remainder being kept away by alb
sence from the city and other causes.
At the conclusion of the roll call the
only solemn toast of the evening was
proposed by the president, who spoke
briefly but feelingly of the late Lieut.
Hector Swift and Private Thomas Kelly,
and every heart was touched as, stand
ing with bowed heads, they drank, OF
pure cold water, to the memory OF their
two comrades who had responded to
the last roll call, and for whom the last
taps" had sounded.
The letter from Col. Martin T. Moore,
published in our last issue, was read;
also letters of regret from Regimental
Adiutant llolway, Major I. j. George
of the First Battalion, and Mrs, Susie
May Lewis, the beloved Red Cross
nurse who was with the Third regiment
until the return to the United States,
ami who by her kindness and sympathy
did more than can ever be repaid in re-
lieying the sick in camp and hospital.
All were received with cheers.
At the conclusion of the reading of
the letters the orchestra struch up
"Amerca Forever" which brought an
outburst of applause such as only a
band of patriotic American citizens can
give.
dinner. Banished were the memories
of jaw-breaking bareback, salt hog,
canned tomatoes minus seasoning, and
the other good t?) things of the hotel
d la O. b. Dam and other places. 1t
was enough to know that here was all
that could be desired prepared ard
served as only experts could do it, and
and the boys did full justice to the re-
past. All restraint was laid aside and
jest and repartee and goodfellowship
had full sway. Old times in Milwaukee,
Chickamauga, Charleston and Porto
Rico were rehearsed with enthusiasm,
incidents serious and ridiculous re-toId,
and every good natured roast" was
greeted with round after round of APP
plause. Every one came in for his rull
share of the 'joshing" and toast after
toast was drunk.
When the last course had been served
President Smith in few well chosen
words introduced Senator T. b. Mills,
the father of Co. l." As Mr. Mills
rose he was given an ovation that clear
ly showed the high esteem in which he
is held by the company. When he
could finally be heard, Mr.. Mills SAID in
pert:
.Mr. President and men of Co. IL
would be ungratelui if insenslble to the
honor and compliment done me by this
association. | have had few of the
Stpd lHilsS Vi NE at tle iianhS Oh my
fellows, but nothing which warns the
cookies of my heart as does the thought
that | am member of this organza-
ton of men,
"One year ago this month | witnessed
in the congress of the L uited States a
declaration of war against a foreign foe.
Represented in that congress was every
state and territory. There was but one
sentiment and as the eloquence of the
nations strongest men depicted the
fearful conditions existing at our very
doors, there went no from every loyal
liberty-loviug heart a cry for justice.
When the climax came in those never
TO forgotten words Remember the
Maine there went up a shout for ven
geance that echoed round the world.
History was made rapidly in those
y