Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-10-05
How Helena, Mont, Treated North
Dakota Boys.

Through the courtesy Of T. G. Rich
ards We are given an opportunity OF
copying the following extract from the
Helena independent touching the re-
turn Of the North Dakota boys:
Four hundred and fifty North Dakota
volunteers on their way home from
Manila we're gwen Il sample of western
hospitality in Helena Yesterday that
they will never forget. Owing to their
unfortunate hour of arrival at Helena,
they had expected no welcome here,
and their reception was, all the more
pleasant as it came in the nature of q
surprise. The soldiers remained only
Is minutes in Montana's capital, but it
was long enough to demonstrate that
Helsna's heart was in the right place,
and that the brave North Dakota lads
apprecated.the courtesiss.
The home going soldiers could not
haye reached Helena at more I'M
seemingly hour. It was too early for
| the people generally TO meet them at
the depot and too late for all except the
most enthusiastic to remain up over
night. The fact that the time of their
arrival was not generally known also
served TO prevent many persons from
assembling at the depot who would
| otherwise have been there. The I'M
certaintes Of the schedule also pre-
vented any elaborate ate mpt at enter
tainment.
Afterthe council had taken steps Fri
day night to welcome the soldiers, the
entertainment committee, consisting of
Aldermen Hudnall Z,yas aud Hutfk err,
lost no time in purchasing the supplies
needed. AS result of their efforts,
l,50O chicken and ham sandwiches, Sc
curely packed in boxes, 1000 bottles OF
beer, 900 extra fine cigars were carted
to the Northern Pacific depot to await
the arrival of the soldiers. Mayor Ed
wards expected to meet the trains, with
the council committee and others, bu,
oversight and failed to " down to the
depot. At four o'clock. Fire Chic
Reece turned in an alarm from box %
at Broad way and Main street. There
was no fire in that vicinity but the fire
chief wanted to raise crowd to assis,
in the hot time that was to take place al
the depot The alarm brought out !
number Of persons, and these with the
others who had been up I'LL night await
ing the trains, crowded on a street car,
which had been furnished. free by
President Henry NJ. Parchen, of Helena
Power 4 Light company, and operated
by Lupt. William 4. Mcdonald
crowd of Sixth warders reinforced the
reception committee. which presented
a strong front when ranged about the
depot platform. The crowd only had I;
minute or two to wait when the whist.
of the first section Was heard. A guam
tty of red fire was touched off and ~
the train pulled i'll it was greeted by
rousing cheers, which brought the
sleepy soldiers up III a harry.
"Whats up?" called out a. sergean
from the platform before the TRAIN hat
come to full stop.
The answer was two cases Of beer
followed 10y many others which wer,
loaded onto tie platform in Il j!tfy.
The blue coated soldiers piled out o
the cars and answered cheer for cheer
Col. Charles d. Curtis wheeled up
truck to which he led EX- Mayor. Il. ID
Weed. Mr.. Weed mounted, the i'm
provised platform aud Welcomed the
soldiers. He spoke of the action of the
city council ami the desire of the PEG
, pie to nave prepared a more elaDorat,
reception If it could have been ascer
tanned what time the soldie rs were t
arrive in Helena. He cmpllmentec
the soldiers Oh their record in thu
Philippines. Mr.. Weed spoke for fly.
minutes, and when he closed he VA
gwen three cheers. AS the secont
second section was ontv, Il lew minute!
behind the first, the soldiers were com
PEELED to'climb back into their ca: s ant
J proceed with their journey before the,
had an opportunity to reply to the vel
come they had received. AS the trail
moved OF they gave more hearty che err
| for the city.