Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-09-05
No. o51.-vol,mne LxvIu.-No. SO.
NINE BoYs OFF THIS MORNING.
OcOnce's First Contingent OF Selected
Mon Go to nncnmpn,cnt.

Oconee'S nine representatives OF
men chosen for military service under
the selective draft act left Walhalla
this morning at 7.20 o'clock. Clerk
OF Conr John =. Ciais, secretary of
the County Exemption Board, called
the roll Of principals, each man an
swering to his name, ready for SER
vice. The nine principals are:
Ed. Fricks. Westminster.
w. Kenneth Dickson, Seneca, Rt. 4.
Horace E. Wood, Seneca.
Joel S. Vaughn, West Union.
Francis b. Adams, Seneca.
Robt. Il. Gaillard,l rry.
Jas. Lawrence Win, ,.nire, Newry.
Thos. II. Burgess, Seneca.
oscar W. Pitts, Westminster.
The name Of each OF the five alter
mates chosen was also called, but
there being no vacancy among the
principals, the alternates were ex-
cused, being ordered to hold them
selves ready for appearance when
called.
me nine young men who represent
Oconee for service were assigned to
w. Kenneth Dickson, who will report
this afternoon with his associates Mt
Camp Jackson, Columbia, where i'm
mediate Intensive training will be
begun.
Met Citizens Last Might.
Those of the principals and alter
mates who could be in Walhalla last
hlgnt were met informally at the Ma
sonic Temple by goodly number of
citizens Of the town, who had assem-
bled to greet the young prospective
soldiers. bid them God-speed and
wish for each and all safe and early
return.
The meeting was called to order
by Jas. NJ. Moss. chairman of the
Exemption Board, who stated the
purpose and introduced Mayor w. M.
Brown, who welcomed the boys, maxi
Ing a few very appropriate remarks.
Mayor Brown was followed by Harry
r. Hughs, Esq, who spoke feelingly
and showed plainly that his heart
goes with the boys Of Oconee as sure
ly as his hopes that he may yet be
permitted to take his place at the
front with them.
q Other speakers of,the evening were
fDr.ss p. :. G.@Doyle, Of the slExeMtti6n
Board; Wade G.. Hughs, Esq; J.
Russell Wright, representing the Con-
fedcrate veterans; r. ". Jaynes, ESQ.
Each made q good talk, Mr.. Jaynes
closing his remarks by reading Presi-
dent Wilson's benediction on the boys
going to the front. J. A. Steck also
spoke.
Space at our command this morn
ing forbids the reproduction OF any
remarks Of the speakers save the
brief remarks Of Oscar w. Pitts, Esq,
of Westminster, who spoke for the
men going for army service. Mr..
Pitts was i0yial in his bearing and in
characteristic good humor. He said
''Mr. Chairman, Ladies' and Gentle
men, and fellows Of the Selective
Draft:
ut has been said that 'He who
fights and runs away will live to flghs
another day No man will ever pass
me.
at has been our privilege to be
chosen as the first nine representa-
tives of Oconee for army service, for
which fact we thank God.
1T has been our privilege to be
called to this hall tonight to meet
with these citizens, our friends, for
which fact we thank you"
Mr.. Pitts received hearty applause
at the close Of his brief remarks He
bore the distinction Of having said
fewer words than any other speaker,
yet expressing possibly more Of his
feelings than the others combined.
The meeting was adjourned short
ly after Mr.. Pitts remarks. There
were many citizens at the depot this
morning to bid the young men good
bye and to extend good wishes.