The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-10-26

the work Roosevelt ulQ In establishing
peace between Russia and Japan. Zap
plause.)
"Our cowboy viii work out our des-
tination for us as our rail-splitter did
in the Rebellion.
'Yet we are peaceful nation. We
would not have entered into the Span
ish American war nad we not been
forced into it. 1t was the open door
question. Uncle Sam saw it and he
would go through"
Mr.. Longfellow said he would not give
his closing remarks unless the others
had spoken and then he would see what
there was left for him to talk about.
At his request the audience arose to
Join him in singing of song, "Rally
Round Old Glory" to the tune of "Bat-
tie Hymn of the Republic" The verse
that was originated by Mr.. Longfellow
is:
The army surgeon has the medicine,
The powders and the pills,
The quarter-ma has the cash,
And he must pay the bills.
This was received with hearty APP
plause.
The program was then continued with
a song by Miss Mildred Fritz. The sweet,
soft tones of the little singer were so
pleasing that she was encored.
Mrs, Ida X Martins department presi
dent, thanked the ladies again for their
cordial welcome, and she said when
they were brought at once to the tables
they felt that they were truly welcomed.
Then she told her listeners of the great
reception that the w. r. c.. ladies gave
at the first of the encampment. She
did not regard that as the greatest of
their work; for on Wednesday these la
dies as usual trying to find what good
work they might do decided to serve
lunch to the old soldiers who were in
the parade. As this is the bread and
butter state they decided to serve bread
and butter and coffee The making of
the coffee was their greatest task. Wo-
mans clever wit and mans energy solv-
ed the problem. The fire department
used their largest engine to heat the
water. Seventeen barrels of fifty gal
Ions each, of coffee were made. Two
thousand and five hundred loaves of
bread and sixty pounds of butter were
used.
1t is said that the W. r. c. saved the
lives of the old soldiers by serving this
lunch.
Mrs. Martins also spoke further of the
new building for the soldiers. They ex
pect it to be completed November fif
teenth. Each corps of the state contrib
utes fifty dollars. The legislature voted
$4,000. Some of the corps have already
sent their contributions. There will be
reception given in the building for the
pants move in.
Mrs. Lodusky J. Taylor OF LIE Sueur,
who was national president in 1902 and
1903, told of the work at Andersenville
prison. The ground, Lightweight and
one-half acres, was purchased and fenced
a few years ago. Andersenville prison
is in Mason county, Georgia. From
February, ga to April, rs, thirty-fv
thousand men were herded there. Thir-
teen thousand were buried there, and
eighteen thousand are unaccounted for.
Over two hundred pecan trees have
been planted and walks, drives and mon
uments have been so arranged as to
beautify the grounds. Several states
have erected monuments. Why doesn't
Minnesota do this also? However. the
work of the Relief corps will be last
ing monument.
Superintendent Mcconnell made some
very appropriate remarks. He COM
mented on the unselfishness, of the G. A.
r. and w. r. C. members. He said he
did not count for much at time of the
war, in fact he wasn't counted at all,
so he cannot be an old soldier; nor can
he be member of the w. r. G. He
was only an American citizen.
Commander Longfellow then empha.
sized the position of the American citi-
zen.
Colonel Thomas gave a very interest
ing talk from his chair He said the
people who stayed at home deserved
credit for every victory; for they were
the inspirers of the soldiers. He told
the w. r. c. members that their work
is very much appreciated.
Mrs. Silloway of Minneapolis, former
department president, said that she
came to the campfres, because she
knew the old soldiers liked to see some
body there that was older than them
selves. She was at one time student
at the Mankato normal school. She
spoke of the bravery and loyalty of
the soldiers.
Mr.. Longfellow replied to this by
mentioning again women's loyalty.
Judge Plymat and Mr.. Foote were
called upon and added to the already
excellent program. The latter told why