The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-05
SPANISH VETS
HAD GREAT TINE
VALLEY CITY BOYS WERE TAKEN
PRISONER ON ARRIVAL IN CITY
AT ". p. sTATIoN-eAvE Up
WITHOUT MUCH RESISTANCE
SPEECHES SATURDAY NIGHT.

The anticipated battle OF Fargo did
not m~aterialize Saturday afternoon
when the spanish-American war forces
from Valley City arrived on a special
train from the Barnes county seat. as
Captain Henry realized resistance
would be useless when he saw the large
number of Fargoans at the station to
meet his men. So the Valley City bows
We're captured and taken as prisoners
of war to Prizes hall, where they were
fed on good rations until the big sup
per hour later. They were given the
freedom Of the city and enjoyed a
great time along with the Others who
had gathered from different parts of
the state to attend the big reunion.
1t was an evening Of fond reminis-
ences and one that was ~thoroughIy
enjoyed by everyone there. Some of the
men hadn't seer each other frequently
during the interim between the Phil
ippine engagement and the present time
and were glad to shake each other by
the hand and recall the various scenes
on the American archipelago while the
Philippines were being subdued.
Prizes hall was handsomely decorat-
ed for the occasion and draped with
the American colors, so dear to every
patriotic heart. When the pleasure OF
the evening started Shorty Clark en-
tertatned h veterans with a number
OF his famous bugle calls, which have
made him so famous throughout the
rank and file OF the North Dakota regi-
ment.
Following the lunch, for which the
mess call was sounded by Burnie
Maurek, Commandant Fay announced
the programme of the evening. Cap
tain Fraser extended the guests from
over the state a greeting to the city
and in his opening remarks read a
number of communications from we'll
known Spanish veterans who could not
attend but who were there in spirit on
that occasion just the same. Regrets
were read from Maj. Thomas Thorald-
son, deputy state treasurer; Captains
Murphy and Hanley, of Bismarck and
Mandan; Sidney Buchanan of Mime
apolis, and Col. John E. Frame of Graf
ton. The Bismarck communication
from Major Thoraldson, Captains Muir
ply and Hanley stated that a celebra-
ton was in progress in the capital city
and that everyone was having a merry
time. Colonel Frame was detained by
a business engagement which took him
out Of the state on a rather important
mission.
Major Grafton was the second speak
er of the evening and recited a poem
which was well received by everyone.
Captain Henry of Valley City was the
next called upon and his speech was
one Of the hits of the evening. He
gave an account Of the conduct of the
North Dakotans in the Philippines and
praised their private lives over there as
exemplary and all that Uncle Sam
could expect Of his soldiers when off
duty.
Captain Benton of South Dakota was
next and favored the veterans with a
song and brought the meetings Of the
South Dakotans to the brothers Of the
sister state above the line.
When Gen. NJ. A. Hildreth spoke he
paid a high tribute to former Gov.
Frank White, who was major of the
regiment. Mention of Governor Whites
name brought forth much applause.
The former governor declared he could
not sing but entertained the company
II Will d Willy 1ALNAS SpSECh WAIICh was
pronounced the best of the evening.
Leo Ryan, formerly a member of
Co. B and a son OF the late Judge
Martin Ryan of this city, who resides
in WATERFOWL, S. d. responded with
q few remarks when called Upon by
Toastmaster Fay, and concluded with
a well known Spanish quotation, so
familiar to all veterans who served in
the islands across the sea.
The last speaker of the evening was
Edward s.. Peterson, introduced as
Edward S. Peterson, aged IT." who
read an original poem which was en-
Enthusiastically received.
1t was considered, by far, the most
successful reunion the Spanish veter-
ans have ever enjoyed and the peren-
NAL committee. Messrs. Fraser, Thomp-
son and Sorenson, received much praise
for their efforts in e~ndeayoring to give
the visitors such a good time.