Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-10-21

tious dinner ft for princes and enough
for regiment.
In the afternoon the boys were invit-
ed to 60 to Lead City where another
reception awaited them watch. although
not SO grand nor adorned with triumph
al arches, but altogether more to the
liking the boys on account Of Its be
ing stript Of all formality. but given
with such warmth and heartiness that
the boys were completely captured and
overcome, some Of them In more ways
than one.
Co. l returned to Custer on the even
ing train Of the 18th, and received the
greetings of our own people. But the
grand reception vhicA had been arrang.
ed for their home coming had been
postponed on acejunt Of their previous
engagement to to 90 to Deadwood, and
it was decided by fhe committee that
the boys should ro; Gs cheated out OF Il
under any circumstances. II was there
fore thought best to give the boys a
little breathing SPELL and then give
them fitting reception on the goth,
which was accordingly carried out at
the time appointed. 1t was fortunate
for all of those who participated in the
reception that the sun rose bright and
clear on the day of the celebration of
the return Of our soldiers from the
Philippine war. There was large
crowd Of people from the country, Hill
City, Keystone and Pringle, and these,
together with the dwellere in our own
town, all enthused with a feeling of Joy
and pride gave reception to the boys,
the thought of which will warm their
hearts for many a day.
| The exercises commenced with the
salute of cannons, which was followed
by the parade, which marched through
the principal streets of Custer amid the
cheering of the multitude who thronged
the streets. They were led by the band
from Hill City, who played. and played
well. the stirring patriotic airs of our
country, with which we are all familiar.
Then came the boys in blue fresh from
their field ofachievements look ing strong
and healthy as they stepped in perfect
time to the music of the band. Next
came the old soldiers in citizens dress,
white haired and with faItering step, but
with head erect, revived by the memo
ry of the days when they too played a
soldiers part on field that was greater
and bloodier and more glorious, because
they fought for the preservation Of the
union, when the life OF our country was
at stake.
A platform had been constructed at
the crossing Of Custer Avenue and Main
street, and upon this platform, profuse.
ly decorated with the emblem of our
couDtry's glory, the mayor invited the
speakers 70 take their seats. The irst
to voice the sentiments OF welcome
which animated every heart, was Mr.. B.
Il. Wood of Custer. 1t was a stirring
speech which was applauded by the
listening crowd. and was answered at it's
close by three cheers and tiger from
the boys.
Attorney w. E. Benedict was the next
speaker, and his words Of welcome were
given in a tone which LEFT no question
of his sincerely. 1t was good and
noble speech which had but one fault,
it was too short, and was made SO by
the voice Of TIE speaker being checked
with emotion as he took his seat. But
with all the words of joyous welcome,
with which the boys we're received, the
boys who from sickness or wounds were
not forgotten. but heartfelt regret was
expressed that they were not here to
participate in this glad reunion.
The next speaker introduced was COL
Frank p. Williams of Hill City.-wh
with good voice and pleasing address,
captivated the boys and the applauding
multitude. His speech occupied about
minutes, but every word was to the
point, and called out another wild
hurrah from the boys~in blue, who
clinched 1t with deep mouthed tiger.
Mayor Willis announced the next
speaker. Judge Levi McGee, who spok g
on behalf Of Pennington county as well
as Custer, when he bade the boys vel.
come back TO their native land. Judge
McGee's speech was surprise to many.
He is more OF an orator than he has been
given credit for,,, His we'll chosen words
given in tone and manner ofthe deep.
est feeling he thanked the boys not
alone for theirs. valor. but the record
they had made for gentlemanly conduct
outside of the ranks, as we'll as in the
field of action. He said it illustrates
the old saying which had always proved
true in every age and every country
that "the best soldier always made the
best citizen. and the best citizen always
made the best soldier"
The noon hour having arrived dinner
was announced. and the soldiers, old
and young, fled and took seats at the
table which the ladies of Custer had
spread SO bountiously with the good
things ofthe laid, and ofwhich they par,
took with true soldierly appetite and
appreciation.
After this sports and games followed
one after other and kept the people in a
merry mood until the shades of evening
began to draw the curtain, and then the
fireworks began. This was kept up un'
Til long after supper, when all who fell
inclined repaired to the opera house
where, with the best of music and good