The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-12-21
R0USINC RECEPTION
Princeton Welcomes Returning Sol
diers With Open Arms Tues
day Night-A Big Time.
Banquet at l. o. o. F. Hall Followed
by Program and Dance at
the Princeton ArmOry.

the Princeton ArmOry.
A rousing welcome greeted the
members of Co. G upon their return
from the Mexican border, Tuesday
evening, and it was a big night in
Princeton. The old town met the re-
turning Rum river valley boys with
open arms, and joy reigned supreme.
The train was more than an hour
late but hundreds were at the depot
to meet the boys, and when the cars
pulled in the large whistles at the
power plant and mill shrieked their
welcome, while the school and church
bells Of the village changed their
greeting to the returning soldiers
A turkey supper awaited the boys
at the I. o. O. F. hall, and visitors
from Milaca were also invited to par
take of same The ladies of the Civic
Betterment club were in charge, al
though various Matrons and Misses,
who are not affiliated with same, lent
their assistance. It>was an appetizing
repast, such a one as only the good
housewives of Princeton can prepare,
and there was an abundance of good
eatables for all. Needless to state
the soldier boys did complete justice
to the tempting viands set before
them.
Mrs. J. C. Herdliska, president Of
the Civic Betterment club, is entitled
to unstinted praise for her untiring
f and successful efforts in getting up
such splendid feast. She was ably
assisted by a host of other ladies. In
fact every lady in town seemed
anxious to do something to make it
pleasant for the boys, and to make
the banquet the success it certainly
was. There was more than enough
left over from the feast to provide the
Milaca boys and their friends with a
nice lunch yesterday.
A public reception followed at the
Armory, which was tastefully decor
ated for the occasion with flags and
bunting, and an appropriate program
= was there carried out. r. G. Dunn
presided in the absence of DR.. H. C.
Cooney, who responded to a sick call
and was unable to serve for that
reason.
Never before was the spacious Arm
DRY so crowded. The gallery was packed
and every seat on the floor was oc-
cupied, and many stood up. When the
\ Company G boys filed in and took the
seats that were reserved for them the
immense audience stood up and greeted
them with round after round of ap-
plause.
Pleasing selections by that ever
popular musical organization, the high
school orchestra, opened the exercises
and male chorus then sang that old
favorite, columbia, the Gem of the
Ocean," Remarks by R. C. Dunn fol-
lowed.
- Mr.. Dunn briefly thanked those
present for attending, and voiced the
fact that all Princeton is glad that the
boys are back with loved ones Re-
greet was expressed over the demise
of Gustaf Fink, Milaca member of
the company, and sympathy rendered
the bereaved relatives. The speaker
stated that Princeton had kept in
touch with the boys, and that all had
~ Lo1
valley soldiers had won the approval
and admiration of their superior off
Ncers. Fate treated the company kind
ly, and the members were not forced
- to undergo the rigors of regular
war campaign. But every duty i'm
posed upon the boys was so discharged
as to reflect honor and credit upor
themselves, and Mr.. Dunn expressed
the opinion that had they been called
upon to do battle, they would have
acquitted themselves as Minnesota
soldiers always have in the past
The, speaker then called attention
to the fact that the Rum river valley
has ever been patriotic. Brave boys
represented this section in the gallant
I First Minnesota thai won imperisha.
- BILE fame over half a century ago, as
well as in other regiments of equa
intrepidity. A company from here
abouts was also ready to serve Their
country during the Spanish-America1
war, and in 1916 the Rum river valley
again responded to the call of the
nations chief executive. In conclu
sion Mr.. Dunn said that all had rea
son to be proud of the; sturdy, manly
lot Of boys, and again expressed
Princeton's welcome, which comes
right from the heart.
Captain A. H. Johnson, in behalf o.
the company, thanked the citizens fo1
the splendid reception accorded thu