The Anaconda standard., 1899-10-24

departed at $50 in the morning, the, e
was deep disappointment, for that
meant that the exercises that had
been planned in the boys honor would
have to be dispensed with. The peo-
pie felt very blue over this, as they
had hoped to show the soldier boys
how much they were appreciated, but
the light-heartedness returned again
the next day when 1t was announced
that the Great Northern would iun a
special and that the troops would leave
at 1890, thus giving time for the car
rying out of the programme arranged.
The weather had been depressing for
some days, but on the eventful day the
morning broke clear and bright, and
the city was astir bright and early.
The day opened with the assembling
of G company at the Armory at Z
o'clock for roll call. Following this the
troopers baggage was packed in a
big box for transportation to the de-
pot. Then followed the assembling of
B and F companies with the same
preparations for the start. All this
time the Armory was thronged by rel
atives and friends of the troopers, and
there were many affecting scenes.
The start was made at $3.50. The
troops and the procession that was to
escort them to the station formed at
Broadway and Academy streets and
marched down Academy to Park west
on Park to Montana, thence north to
Granite, and thence east to the court
house, where the ceremonies took
place. Here were assembled 5000 school
children. Each was provided with a
small American flag, and as the col
umn came to about face in front OF the
grand staircase, which served as a
reviewing stand, the 1st regiment band,
which headed the line, struck up "The
Star Spangled Banner and the 5000
childish voices took up the beautiful!
refrain. Fully $1,000 people were pack
ed in the street, who all Joined in the
singing, and a grand chorus swelled
up which rolled back to the very
mountain tops. Ex-Governor ]. E.
aging words to the departing, and
words Of consola ton to their loved ones
they We're leaving behind, in a fare
well address, and after the inspiring
ceremonies were over the march to the
railway station was resumed. Butte
was literally afire with patriotism on
that day. Buildings were profusely
suspended during the morning hours
and not less than $4,000 people took
part in the demonstration. Every
street along the line Of march was
densely packed with people who kept
up a constant cheering for the boys in
blue.
After the line had passed the prin-
cipal business streets all attempt at col
umn formation was abandoned and the
friends of the boys were permitted to
fall in and march with them to rhe
sta ton. There We're many pathetic
scenes during that last march. Old
men and old women and young girls
trudged along the streets with arms
clasped around the form of some stall
wart trooper At the station another
immense crowd had congregated to see
the last of the boys. The men We're
drawn up in company formation and
few minutes allowed in which to say
the last good-byes. Dear ones rush
ed upon the boys, embraced them,
shook hands. kissed them, said good
bye a dozen times, bestowed keep
sakes upon them and in all manner of
ways gave vent to the feelings tat
could be no longer restrained At the
last the order to get aboard came and
in a few minutes the boys We're on
their way to war. Yesterday was a
glad homecoming for these same boys
in blue. but there was, one sorely pa-
thetic feature about it,. Those who saw
them when they marched away SO
bravely could not fail to observe a
marked thinning of the ranks