Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-16

American people congratulate you for
your loyalty to the flag and the govern
ment." At the close the house rang
with cheers and the able speaker bow
ed his thanks.
An address of welcome by Uncle Sam
was then given. Oscar Bacon was
dressed in the proverbial garb of your
Uncle" He stepped from one of the
wings of the stage and said he had but.
few minutes to stay, that he was
needed in the Philippines and must
hustle back there and assist the boys
in. whipping the insurgents. He said
the boys could do it without his being
there but he wanted TO keep an eye on
the affairs. He then told of what had
led up to the war, the blowing up of
the Maine. OF the troops being called
for and going to Florida and San Fran
cisco, where they went through u
course o. training and it was but a
short while until the United States had
the finest army on earth. He told of
the Manila bay fight, and the troops of
this country being fired upon by the
Insurgents. He carried out his part
we'll and he pleased the crowd, told
them truths of the war, and said 1--WE
are now getting them in close quarters
and | must hasten back" and he lett
the stage amidst loud applause.
The band again filed the hall with
some excellent music, when Miss Jane
Roberts delighted the audience with
How Reuben Played the Piano" Her
delivery of the piece was excellent.
Miss Ruth Reese, dressed as Miss
Columbia" was then Introduced. She
told OF their being seventy million peo-
pie in her happy family and there We're
none she honored more than her soldier
boys. She spoke to the boys in 4
thankful manner for what they had
done, and shook hands with the SOL
diers e5
Miss Dell Prue sang patriotic song
in u pleasing manner.
The people of Hiteman had purchased
three bronze medals to present to the
soldiers and the chairman introduced
Hon. ii. L. Waterman to make the pre-
sentation speech. Mr.. Waterman said
he could not refrain from saying few
words on this happy occasion about the
American soldier. He said he is super
ior to any on earth; he is intelligent
and has intense patriotism and those
two elements make him so. He said,
Wherever the spirit of patriotism dies
that country is doomed" He told of
the former countries and governments
that have lost because they lacked
these two principle elements. He led
along on the cause of the present war
and delighted the large crowd by the
statement, 'Until they cease firing up
on the flag we will not quit fighting"
He told of how he had been in the war
of the rebellion, and touching the
bronze button on the lapel of his coat
he said he would mot take anything
any potentate could offer for that but
ton" He then said, ION behalf of the
Hiteman people Ipresent you these
little memorials or tokens of regard for
the work you haveso well performed"
Cheer after cheer rent the hall as the
gentleman closed his speech. The
badge of honor that had been purchas-
ed for Mr.. Narver was presented to his
parents who were sitting on the stage,
and they will forward it to him in the
hospital in San Francisco and it will
bring a CHEEKY feeling for the lone
some soldier, and he will know thatgthe
home people are thinking deeply about
him. There were tears of gladness by
the parents of the returned soldiers aud
tears of sorrow for those who had been
left behind.
Mrs. Rhea rendered patriotic sell
ection with variations on the piano and
the chairman called for experiences
from the soldiers. Mr.. Longaker was
the first one called out and he said he
was no speaker, was backward, etc.,
and then he proceeded to give most
excellent account. of their trip, their
battles and their camp life. He made
quite lengthy talk and he delighted
the crowd with the happy and interest
| ing manner in which he told the story.
Joe Reynolds was then called. He
also said he was no speaker, was
hoarse, and asked to be excused, first
thanking the people for the royal man.
ner in which they had received him and
his comrades.
Fred Everetts, of this city, WAS call
ed and he made a talk that delighted
the crowd. He told of soldier eNper-
fences, of the camp life, the first night
a soldier attempts to get some sleep,
of the sea-sickness the boys endured in
going. He told some comic incidents
that had come under his observation,
and the crowd cheered him to the
echo.
The chairman said for all the parties
in the hall who desired to have Mr.. and
Mrs. Naryer extend their sympathy and
best wishes to their son in San Fran
cisco, to stand up. Every person in the
hall arose to their feet.
Z. c. Williams was called upon for a
song and he rendered one of "rhe Bat
tie of Manila Bay" The band carried
the air and Mr.. Williams acquitted him
self, as he always, does, in a fattering
| manner
A song by Powell's quartette met
with loud applause from the crowd and
the exercises closed with the band play
ing "My Country, IT'S of Thee" and the
audience joining in the chorus. 1t was
one Of the most pleasant entertain
ments that has ever occurred in Hite-
man, and the people are to be congrat-
ulated upon the success they had. At
the close of the program in the hall
a banquet was served up stairs, and
this was followed by ball. The I'm
ion is glad with the Hitemanites over
the return of the soldiers, it sorrows
with them over the ones unable to
reach home. rs.