The Detroit times., 1916-06-24
TEARS AND
CHEERS AS
BOYS LEAVE

I. nanity, stretching far back along
Miohissn-ave. and down the side
streets. II was tremendous. De
3 troit never saw anything TO approach
Il.
Along the line OF march the side
llnes had been marked by smiling
faces and cheering voices. Here,
I close TO the depot, II was different;
Tor here were gathered the wives,
mothers, sweethearts and relatives
OF the war.bound men OF the militia.
Tesr-eyed and sorrowful Of counte
nance, these to whose hearts the
fate of the departing men Is closest.
presented a pathetic picture, In
marked contrast to the cheerful en-
thusiasm OF the war-thrilled crowd.
Az the tan-clad column swung into
view up the runway to the taxicao
entrance TO the station, there were
few cheers. Throughout the dense
throng that packed the sides OF the
place could be seen many who
strained upon their toes in an eff
fort TO peer over the heads OF those
IN front to catch a farewell glimpse
Of q departing husband, father or
son. Many carried packages OF deli
cacies and lunches for consumption
BY the soldier-relative on the train.
The entrance into the train shed
was a scene almost indescribably
Wild. As the soldiers passed through
the gates to take their places In the
cars that were TO carry them 10 the
mobilization camp at Grayllng. WON
en- relatives about the entrance
struggled and screamed In an en-
deavor to gain admittance 10 the
platforms TO take a last farewell.
Many crowded through. and scene
OF wild confusion ensued.
Mothers chung TO sons, weeping.
Sweethearts, in last fond embrace.
oobbed aloud Wives wept hysteri-
cally and frantically held TO the arms
OF their departing husbands.
Throughout all the emotional dem
onstration the men stood up brave
". and in true soldierly fashion re-
trained from giving way 10 emotion,
although several were seen 70 dab
furtively at their eyes with their
coat sleeves as a last glimpse was
caught OF a mother or sweetheart
eelng through the gates.
The departure, scheduled for i0:30
o'clock, was made on time. The
mon, entrained in the sheds, were in
CHEEKY spirits and joined in singing
patriotic songs. 'If you don't like
your Uncle Sammy" one voice
would start. away up In the forward
coach, and the song would be taken
up by others, until presently the cho-
rus would be voiced by whole line
81 men from engine TO rear coach.
Scenes Are Touching.
In the taxicab entrance to the
depot. where large throng gath
cred 10 watch the entrance OF the
troops. a boy scout bugler corps en-
tertained the marchers and the
crowd with martial airs and bugle
calls. In one corner. on the iron
trestle work OF one Of the big col
umns supporting the roof. a group
Of small boys. high above the
crowds, cheered the troops from
their perilous position.
A gray-haired mother. evidently
widow. and a young daughter both
clad in black, stood erect in the ton
neau OF an automobile. and with |
anxious eyes scannSl |
the troops as company after COM
pany, they marched into view with
In the human lane that lined the
runway.
Suddenly, with little excited |
cry. the girl started 10 wave her
handkerchief trantically. A youth |
In the ranks. looking up. smiled and
waved his hand as he strobe on
ward toward the doorway. AS he