The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-06-30
SITUATION CRITICAL
BUT LESS PRESSING
JOHNSON RIFLES
GIVEN RECEPTION

Hundreds of people gathered in
front of the court house Thursday af-
ternoon to attend the farewell meet
ing held for the johnson Rifles and
the meeting eclipsed anything of the
kind seen in Union in these latter
days.
Previous to the meeting recep-
ton was held at the Chamber of
Commerce rooms, at which abundance
of delicious refreshments were served
by the youth and beauty of the city.
The soldier boys, Judging from the
hearty manner in which they partook
of the repast, appreciated it fully.
Long before 7:30 o'clock the streets
around the court house were lined with
people and at the appointed hour the
men, led by Capt. j. Frost Walker,
marched around the monument and
stood in line in front of the speakers
stand.
Secretary A. G. Kennedy, of the
Chamber of Commerce, was tho pre-
siding officer and said the large crowd
manifested the high esteem and re-
gard in which the men of the local
militia were held by the people of this
city. After a prayer by Rev. Lewis
M. Rice, the Hon. L. L. Wagnon was
introduced and said in part that this
was sad and joyous occasion. JOY
Gus because the people of the city
were happy over the fact that so
many men could be found who were
ready and willing to defend the honor
of the United States and sad because
there were possibilities before them
which might result seriously. He
called upon the men to do their duty
and to uphold that love, pride and
patriotism so well upheld by their
forefathers. He said he felt that all
the men had responded because of pa
triotism and love of duty. In closing
Mr.. Wagnon said in telling the men
good bye for himself and the people
of the city of Union he did so know
ing that the love, affection, prayers
of all the people went with them and
that all realized that they would not
fail to answer to the commands when
given on the battlefield.
Col. T. c. Duncan was next speaker
and said the men of Company E were
going to find that they had work be-
fore them and the crowd present at
tested the favor under which the SOL
diers left and said they would return
no other way than victorious. He
praised the men for having the steel
in them to respond to the call that
they had come to every true citizen
within the past few days.
The last speaker was Capt. J.
Frost Walker, who, in behalf of Com
pany E, said the great interest the
people had displayed was appreciated
and most inspiring. He referred to
his men in loving terms as being those
who counted upon in emergencies and
said they were anxious to see activity.
He said that the people of Union
would be Interested in the men while
they were away and that they were
gong to pray for them. His speech
touched the hearts of the assembled
throng.
The meeting was enthusiastic
throughout and although there were
sad hearts in the large crowd all real
izing the seriousness of the occasion.
The Fairforest chapter, ID. A. R.,
gave to each member of the company
pocket testament with his name in
scribed therein.
Such demonstration as that given
Thursday afternoon and evening sur
passed anything of the kind since
'61. There is not doubt that if
the president of the United States
wants another company of equal num-
ber from Union all he has to do is to
sound the bugle call, and they will
march out to fight for the same old
flag that their forefathers defended.
About 5000 people assembled at
the Southern depot Friday morning to
bid the boys Godspeed.