Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
Keokuk County Sc ldiers Given
Ovation at sigourney.
ADDRESSES OF WELCOME
After an Excellent Ranquet an Enthu-
elastic Meeting IL Held In opera
House-Hon. John Morris
on, or Eacdrick, Speaks.

sigourney, Nov. 90. Especial. )--Last
evening the citizens Of Sigourney and
community gave the returned soldiers
of the Spanish-American war hearty
reception. Invitations had been sent to
all who reside in the county about for
ty in number. Owing to the inclemen-I
cy of the weather, all were not in at
tendance. After the soldier boys aud
their ladies had partaken of bounti-
full repast at Con Whites restaurant,
the people assembled ait the opera
house at 8 o'clock. The house was full
to overlooking.
Captain J. L. Parker, acting as chair
man, called the house to order and af-
ter making few brief remarks in ex-
PLANTATION as to why this reception was
not held sooner, introduced Rev. j. G..
Thompson, who, while the audience
was standing led in prayer. Following
this was music by the gentlemen's
quartet consisting of C. Z. McQuaid,
Jesse McCreery, Jno. Reinert and Mil
ton Hoffman t'We are here for fun"
The chairman then introduced the
Hon. Geo. d. Woodin, who made a very
pleasing welcoming address, telling the
boys that they would, AS all other SOL
diers Of this country had been, be hon
ored in every conceivable way, and
that the young ladies would flock to
them as naturally; as a duck turns to
water.
The response was made by Frank
johnson, a soldier boy living at Thorn
burg, and who got no further than
Jacksonville. His was a mastery adj
dress, full of patriotism. He said that
the keenest disappointment he had was
that he didn't get to fire gun. The
& next was well rendered piece of vocal
music by Mrs. Minteer and Miss Julia
Kerr.
Mrs. Alice Page, president of the w.
X. e., then presented to Rob. F. Lowe
4 Post memorial record purchased by
; the w. R. G. inswhich is TO be written
the history of every soldier, kept by
-the,G A.. RS asf longsas said organiza-
zion exists, and them preserved as sa-,
cred among the archives of Sigourney.
w Hon. g. NJ Brown, commander of
the Post, in, a speech full of enthusi-
asm and true patriotism, accepted said
Hon. Jno. Morrison, of lHedrick, gave
.. short but spicy talk, showing that
\ military men are more highly honored
than any other class and stating that
the adage, 1.-THE, pen is mightier than
the sword, is only partially true. At
ter music Lieutenant Reimer, of the
First Dakota regiment, gave a very
vivid description of fighting in the
Philippines, describing every battle in
4 which he fought, and concluded by
saying that an imposition was placed
upon the volunteers by Otis by, keep
Ing them in. active. service all the time
In order to spare the regulars.
Sergeant Moore, of the Fifty-first
Iowa, from Oskaloosa, made very ell
oquent address on his experience. ssThe
Brave at Home, was ably discussed
by w. L. Etter, editor of the Review.
There had been cries for Roy G..
Brown. AT this time Brown came
forth and told Of the, manners and Gus
toms of the Filipinos. His talk was very
Interesting. 1t is useless to say that the
people of Sigourney love and honor
Roy Brown Gene Stevens and Rufus
McVicker, three of our boys who were
in the Philippine war. Gene refused
to respond when called upon and ask
ed to be excused. Rufus came for
ward and gave avery vivid description
of his journey both ways and his ex-
perience as a soldier.
The people of Sigourney did them
selves proud and the returned soldier
boys cannot help but feel that they are
welcome.