The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-24
TEARS AND
CHEERS AS
BOYS LEAVE
.confinued from PAGE one)

manity, stretching FAR back along
Michigan ave. and down the side
streets. II was tremendous. De
troit never saw anything 10 approach
n.
Along the line OF march the side
lines had been marked by smiling
faces and cheering voices, Here,
close TO the depot, II was different;
for here were gathered the wives,
mothers. sweethearts and relatives
Of the war-bound men OF the militia.
Tear-eyed and sorrowful OF counte-
nance. these 10 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.
As the tan-clad column swung into
view up the runway 20 the taxicao
entrance 10 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 10 catch a farewell glimpse
OF departing husband. father or
son. Many carried packages OF deli
cacies and lunches for consumption
by the soldierrelative 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 TO the
mobilization camp at Grayling, won
en- relatives about the entrance
struggled and screamed in an en-
deavor TO gain admittance 10 the
platforms to take last farewell.
Many crowded through. and a scene
OF wild confusion ensued.
Mothers chung 10 sons, weeping,
Sweethearts, In a last fond embrace,
sobbed aloud Wives wept hysteri-
cally and frantically held 10 the arms
of their departing husbands
Throughout all the emotional dem
onstration. the men stood up brave
iy. and in true soldierly fashion re-
Trained from giving way 10 emotion,
although several were seen 20 dab
furtively at their eyes with their
coat sleeves as a last glimpse was
caught OF a mother or sweetheart
going through the gates.
The departure, scheduled for 1890
o'clock. was made on time. The
men. 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
Of men from engine TO rear coach.
Scenes Are Touching.
In the taxicah entrance TO the
depot, where a large throng gath |
cred to watch the entrance OF the
troops. 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 /
heir perilous position.
A gray-haired mother. evidently a
widow. and young daughter. both
lad in black. stood erect in the ton
leau OF an automobile, and with
anxious eyes scannyl
ne troops as company after COM
,any. they marched into view with
n the human lane that lined the
Suddenly, with little excited
Try, the girl started 10 wave her
trantically. A youth
In the ranks. looking up. smiled and
waved his hand as he strobe on
ward toward the doorway As he 4