Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-06-26

and pretty high school girls, who SANG
the national airs. setting a-vibrant the
patriotic lords of the hearts of the
gathered multitude; after patriotic ora
tory which will long be remembered
here and elsewhere for its beautiful die
ton, fervid eloquence, earnest purpose
and magnificent uplift: just as the hush
after all this excitement had seized the
expectant assemblage the corner stone
OF the collegiate building, the first of
the magnificent group in contemplation
and the contribution of Mason City, was
laid with appropriate ceremonies this
afternoon.
1t was a large crowd OF people who
rushed here to show their patriotism
and enjoy the day and its exercises. A
special train came all the way from
Minneapolis q ten full coaches and 9TH
err sections had to follow to pick up the
s~tragglers en- route. The Mason City &.
Fort Dodge brought the Sons of veter-
ans from Fort Dodge. Eagle Grove, Bel
mond and other towns. The Central
from the south was loaded and the
Northwestern and Milwaukee lines
added many more hundreds to the big
assemblage. Rockford Camp came in
with their guns and uniforms. Clear
Lake. 100 strong. chartered a special
train on the electric. The friends Of the
Odd Fellows came also, knowing that
they could view the parade of the chew
alters and witness the corner stone law
ing as we'll. 1t was a big. ~gocd-natured
crowd and the red lemonade man reaped
his harvest and everybody else was
happy. The decorations along the route
were excellent n the business of the
city was suspended during the after
noon.
A history of the meaning of this uni
versity and its aims will be of interest.
When the patriotic order of the Sons of
Veterans was founded It's purpose was
70 keep alive the memories of the deeds
OF the loyal soldiery Of the Grand Army
of the Republic. But, after a quarter
of a century had passed away and the
boys had grown to manhood and the
order of the Sons OF Veterans began to
decrease. 1t became a matter of grave
consideration on the part OF those who
had comprehended the deeper meaning
of the order as to what could be devised
to perpetuate the Sons Of Veterans
camps, and. better than this, perpetu-
ate the memory of the loyal soldiery of
the north and the patriotic wives, moth
ers and sweethearts of the soul-trying
days of '61-'65.
There was one man who had some
thing of the reputation Of a philosopher
and dreamer, who attended regularly
the national encampments and who
commanded always the respect and af-
lection OF the delegates. In one Of his
Eliminating moods he had what most
people now regard as q vision and the
thought took such a deep hold upon him
that he proposed 1t to his closest coterie
of friends in the grand council. 1t was
to perpetuate the deeds and sacrifices
end the patriotic spirit of the sos by
founding and endowing a national uni
versity. the endowments to come from
voluntary contributions from the Sons
OF Veterans camps. Grand Army posts
and divisions OF the woman's Relief
Corps and allied patriotic orders: and
by individual gifts from the member
chip Of these orders In the way Of build
Tugs n endowments Of various, chairs
OF the institution. The philosopher and
dreamer was Col. "A. L. sorter, Of this
city, a son Of a veteran and the son-in-
law OF the youngest civil war veteran
row living In Iowa.
At first his associate. treated him az
did Joseph's brethren and called him Q