The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-24

bodies in the van opened order at the
station. allowing the troops TO march
between their ranks. There was 8
salvo of automobile horns, mingling
with the blare of brass band instru-
ments, the roll of drums and the
cheers of people as the company
marched along in perfect order to the
station. They marched to the rear
Of the depot and around the southern
side Of the building and then up to
! the platform to the first track where
the coaches were waiting.
Captain Clarence E. Powell COM
handing the company, was on the
rear platform Of the rear coach. He
| lined the men up alongside of the
coaches and then at command the
men stepped into the cars which were
to carry them to Camp Dodge-and
perhaps to the border.
The Mayors Goodbye.
AS the troops piled into the coaches.
Mayor Ed S. Lotion babe them an
official goodbye from the people of
Keokuk in which he told them that
Keokuk was proud of them and that
the citizens would expect q eat things
from the boys who come from here.
In his talk, the mayor said:
I'VE regret this morning to say to
you Farewell but proud we are as
citizens of Keokuk to know that we
have SO many brave boys who are
ready and willing to go to the front
to protect our country and our flag.
"You are deserving of great credit
in the eyes of your fellow townsmen
for this manly spirit shown to stand
by the colors, come what may.
There are times when we can well
come strangers In our midst and ex-
tend to them the Inequalities of our
city. You members of Co. L have
obtained strong hold up IN our affec-'
tons and the hearts of all Keokuk
citizens are open to you for the spirit
shown in the love for your country.
short duration. Success to the good
old u. S. A., and the boys of Co. L.
The Last Good-byes.
The twenty.minutes before time for
the train to start was all too short
for those who were there to say good
bye to the boys in khaki. Good-byes
were said in front Of the crowd which
pretended not to see, or else looked
in a paternal manner, and though.
how fine it Is to be soldier ladd1e
and to have sweetheart. The station
platform was packed SO tightly with
humanity that it was with difficulty
that the baggage, express and mail
handlers worked their way to the
cars. The crowd was held back from
the coaches by main force, but like
the London omnibus there seemed
room for one more on the platform
and people crowded and elbowed their
way into the already overf1owinS.
seething cauldron of humanity.
And by the way it was cauldron.
The sun was beating down from a
clear blue sky and was bathing the
scene in a flood Of golden color. In
cidentally the heat from the sun
beating on the brick pavement and
rails fairly broiled the people
They are Gone.
All of the escorting bodies lined up
on the station platform back of the
soldiers. Shortly before time for the
train to pull out the Elks and others
carving their flags lined UP on either
side of the train and formed wall
of color. The conductors 'All aboard"
warned the people that the train was
about to move Guardsmen leaning
out of the windows eagerly searched
the crowd for one face, and waved
goodbye and smiled. One or two
leaped of the car steps and babe
hurried farewell The conductors
arm waved a signal to the engineer
and with jerk the engine started
Flags were dipped and the crowd
bareheaded, roared it's final good-byes
D,,f nq b.,
windows of the coaches, roarei back
to the greasers.
Tho Recruiting Station.
Second Lieut.. Harley L. Moore,
with BENJAMIN P. Moody, will be in
charge of the recruiting station which
has been opened at the armory. These
men will recruit additional soldiers
for Company LIS ranks, and will have
charge OF the station here until fur
Their order.
Several men were held back to-
dav waiting for orders from head
quarters as to sending them
Only one bugler went with the
company. Paul Dysart, who Is under
age, could not accompany the men,
the officers decided last night Be
tween rs and 80 men went out with
the organization this morning
Company Organized in 1910.
II will no doubt be OF interest to
know that Company l. was mustered
into the service In Keokuk in 1910, on
October II. Frank LeBron was
named as captain and Dr.. W. p. Sher-
Iock due TO whose efforts the com
n.ny wss organized, was first lieu