The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-12-21
Westminster Remembers the Boys of
"Old Company ILL.,"

Although the different churches
were looking after their own absent
members, and individual gifts we're
being prepared for the boys in the
various camps by friends at home, it
was suggested by Mrs John l.. Reif-
snider, Jr., whose warm, sympathetic
heart goes out to all the boys in camp,
that a box be sent to old Company H.,
now Company c, 112 Machine Gun
Battalion from the citizens of West
Minister. A committee consisting OF
Mrs Reifsnider, Miss Mary B. She'll
man, F. Neale Parke, Esq, and DR.
Thomas Shaw, Immediately started
to work on the suggestion, with the
result that the sum of $116.93 was
realized in a few days, everybody
contributing willingly. Of this sum
$500 was contributed by students OF
! Western Maryland College, and 6
generous sum was realized from the
boxes placed by Dr.. Shaw in the
! business houses in various parts Of
the town.
On Thursday, December 13, the
following met at DR.. Shaw's drus
store and prepared the packages
Mrs. John L. Reifsnider Jr., Miss
Mary 3. Shellman, Mr.. and Mrs. Ar
thur P Rainey, DR.. Thomas Shaw
Norman Lantz, Miss Jessie Shaw ant
Miss Rhoda Yeiser.
There are 81 members of ole
| Company Fl. now in Company c. ant
Is scattered about Camp Mcclellan
in other companies making SO in all
and to each one was sent a plentiful
supply of smoking tobacco and choco
late, each package bearing a Christ
mas label with his name. DR.. ShaV
kindly hacked the box and Forwarded
it by express to Capt. John n. Weigh
who will distribute the packages OF
Christmas morning. A Christina!
card was also sent to each, inscribed
bv Westminster girls with greeting
and good wishes. The following let
ter accompanied the box:
Dear Boys Of "Old Company H
Merry Christmas to all! You Sc
how we cling to the old name. Uncl
Sam knows you as Company T., IL
Machine Gun Battalion, but ''bacI
home" you are still enshrined in GU
hearts as our own boys OF old com
pany H. But the greeting is just a
warm, Just as sincere, and just a
full of love and good wishes to eac
and every one of you, no matter VIVA
name or title you bear. But there
a magic in the name of Company II.
which touches the hearts and open
the pocket books, of the folks Dac
home" and although the churches ar
all looking after their own specla
representatives, and mothers an
loved ones at home are sending lndl
vidual gifts, when the warm, sym
pathetic heart of Mrs. John l.. Relt
snider Jr, suggested a gift to all, L
which everybody, old and young, rlc
and poor could have a share,
brought forth 4 genera response
and we are sending you today, IN Tn
name of the home folks, this Christ
mas token of our love.
After dinner, boys, gather aroun
YOUR camp fire, and have good OIL
Carroll county smoke. We will b
thinking and talking of you, and a
the smoke wreaths a curl above you
head, you can see our faces
And every face will wear smile
For we Danish tears today,
And talk and wish good Christina
cheer,
To our boys who've gone away.
And thoughts will bridge the mile
today
And pave the way with prayer
That He whose love is greater fal
Will have you in His care.
On Christmas Eve, as we sing ou
Christmas Carols, on the street, W
will miss several of you, who alWay
helped so much, and as we sing
Peace on Earth Good Will to Men,
we will breathe a prayer, that Ht
whose birth we celebrate, the Primo
of Peace, will hasten the day, whe
Peace will come, and you who ar
taking so great a part in bringing tn
universal peace, will return to uE
Again, "a merry Christmas" with tn
love of everybody back home, in
cluding the old folks at the Count
Home, whom you SO kindly remem
bered, and may, God be with yo
till we meet again
Signed Mrs. John l.. Reifsnider,Jr
Miss Mary B. Shellman, DIR. Thoma
Shaw, F. Neale Parke,
Committe
The members of Company c., oil
Company H. sent Christmas greet
fngs and SIS. to Miss Mary B. Shell
man, to be used in carrying Christ
mas cheer to the old folks in tn
County Home.