The Mankato free press., 1917-09-28
Selected Young Men Given
Treat By the People
ADDRESSES AND MUSIC
Village Opera House Was the
Scene of Highly Patriotic
Affair
Especial to Free Press.l

/ -.
| Vernon Center, September ga
farewell reception for the drafted
boys of Vernon Center who left Fri
day evening for Camp Dodge to join
the national army was rendered them
Thursday evening. The opera house
where the function was held was
filled to capacity, notwithstanding the
| fact that the recent rain put auto
travel out of commission on this even
ing. The loyal patriotism of this
lccmmunity which is always at par,
was evidenced and intensified on this
occasion On entering the hall one OBJ
served the beautiful display Of the
national colors. A large flag was
stretched across the back of the stage
while small f11ags were draped on
each side extending to the front of
the stage. In semi circle large vases
Of white and blue asters alternating
with a tripod of small flags were
placed across the front of the stage.
At eight o'clock Messrs. F. S. Hem
ingway Joseph Robinson, veterans of
the Civil War, and Rev. William Col
bert, C. A. Eastman and B. F. Koch
and Mayor A. c. Gray, entered the
hall and occupied chairs on the stage.
The honor guests of the evening Rol-
lie Brown, Iver Nelson, Willie Keonitz
Thomas Rooney and Harold Bowen,
and these occupied the chairs in front
of the hall. Mayor Gray introduced
the speakers and others who gave
musical numbers. Mrs. George Brown,
who accompanied the singers, as an
opening prelude, played several pa
triotic selections on the piano. Rev. F.
Colbert was the first speaker and his
appealing remarks put everybody in
the right frame of mind to enjoy his
address which followed. Miss Blanch
Randall sang very sweetly well keep
the Home Fires Burning" Rev.
Eastman's talk was timely and
received. Mrs. Fate, who has a beauti-
full by trained voice sang in her most
pleasing way america, | Love YOU
and as an encore Lets All Be Ameri-
can Now" Mr.. Robinson and Mr..
Hemingway gave their "reminiscences
of the soldier boy today compared
interesting. E. w. Washburn, whose
singing has delighted audiences all
over the county was at his best on
this occasion and the applause which
followed his song 81 Salute Thee Old
Glory" showed how great had been
the pleasure he acknowledged the
encore and made the biggest hit of
the evening by singing little COM
position clipped from the Minneapolis
Tribune, sung to tune of Dixie.
I'm glad live in the land l live in
Best to get, and best to give in
Hip Hooray, Hip Hooray U. S. A.
Old Uncle Sans my best relation
Makes me feel l own this nation
Hip Hooray, Hip Hooray, Hip Hooray
U. S. A.
So it's U. S. A. forever
Hooray Hooray
l thank the fates which fixed my
dates
In u. S. A. forever
Hooray say Old U. S. A. forever
Rev. B. F. Koch was the last speak
er of the evening, his talk was
splendid and measured up fully to the
rest. He asked the boys to come
forward and presented each with
oOliu 6Olu oCdlI pm. uc RSu SIOSS
ladies had furnished comfort bags
which were presented to the bows
when they left Mankato for Ft. Dodge
The boys feelingly acknowledged the
gift and thanked everybody for
their kindness and the many events
that had been carried out in their
honor. After al joined in singing one
verse of Star Spangled Banner, the
audience then formed in line and
marched to the front to bid the boys
goodbye A big crowd was at the de-
pot to cheer the boys when they
left Friday night.