The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-05-09
MADISON SOLDIERS
At BANQUET
PATRIOTIC LADIES PROVIDE
SPREAD AT HIGH SCHOOL
GYMNASIUM.
RECRUITS COMPLIM ENTED
VETERANS OF THE CIVIL AND
SPANISH-ANIERICAN WARS
HONORED GUESTS.

The committee in charge of the
banquet for the young soldiers at the
gymnasium of the high school last
night caused 81 covers TO be laid for
the number of men The estimate
was SO nearly accurate that only one
more was necessary for a late ar
rival. Beneath great flags of noble
proportions draped overhead. three
tables occupied the length Of the
room, laid with snowy linen and pol
ished silver. A touch of color was
given the even white by a narrow
band Of bunting of the national col
ors running about the tables edges
The guests for whom the occasion
was arranged was primarily the
young men who have for the first
time taken vows to support the gov
eminent i'm its armed protest against
world ~militarism. Men who had
fought in other wars for the country
were honored guests for what they
are known TO have done. Precedence
was given to those soldiers who
fought i'm the greatest of all Amer
Jean wars-that internal d%issention
where family fought family and even
relatives flew at each others threats.
None but the fighting men them
selves were allowed to touch the
strong meat Of soldiers. civilians be
ing considered of little moment
there.
The supper was prepared by The
81 girls Of the junior year of the
high school. under the direction of
their teacher. Miss Helen Erickson.
During the junior year the fun term
rs given to domestic science. The
Young women acquitted themselves
with great credit in The preparation
and service Of the food.
A misunderstanding arose at q late
hour or the preparations for the oc-
casion. making il necessary for the
committee directly in charge of the
arrangements TO enlist the services OF
eight ladies of the city. Mesdames
James Palmer. Claude McAdam and
Claude Tyrrell. as committee on ar
rangement of menu. Mesdames VIM.
Woestman. Paul koepp, Geo. Palm
er. II. Reintz and Richard knutson
answered readily TO the call and
brought the emergency to "a success
full conclusion.
As POSTMASTER. Capt James Rob
ertson opened the speechmaking with
some appropriate remarks concern
ing the meaning and intent of the
meeting of the men Of three Wafs.
AS he called for remarks from some
OF the veterans, the old men ahatfeI
each other laugninEly. Good huIHoT
|aecended with the yapors from good
cigars served after the dessert, all
faces turned eagerly toward the
speakers.
Comrade Bewalt began on request
of the POSTMASTER. with a demand
for information as to whore the first
blood of the civil war was shed No,
it was rot on the occasion Of Capt
Ellsworth pulling down the confed-
crate flag at Alexandria lit wa
within the scholarly precincts of the
University Of Pennsylvania. when the
Quaker. a short man. Phil Levy, HIT
Bell on the nose because said Bell
expressed contempt Of the north bF
kissing the tune of Yankee Doodle.
Mr.. Rewalt explained that his part
in the matter consisted mostly I'M
getting away unframed.
Comrades Jack Hfannon and W
". Wedgwood modestly disclaimed
any credit i'm putting down the re-
bellion. only admitting that they
drew their pay. Mr.. Brannop later
reconsidered the matter of maintain
ing so golden a silence in so goodly
a company. and asked permission To
tell the BOYS that he enlisted i'm thu
2Sth Iowa and served three years
He told the boys not TO be scared,
Notwithstanding the tales OF men.
He admonished them to be brave,
obey their officers. eschew bad com
panions and habits. Especial EN-
phasis was laid on the advice not to
drink whisky-unles il was the very
best.
Napoleon was quoted by Comrade
Wooley as saying that there were
plenty of men. but few humans. The
speaker said that time had changed
the estimation OF leaders III that re
spect. and that there were plenty OF
humans in this free country now.
Nilitarism was denounced, and the
wish was expressed that theanen who
pick the quarrels might be forced TO
do the fighting.
Comrade Bates told of crossing
the Bapidan into the battle of the
Wilderness. Comrade Drake told OF
fear and It's Punishment. being
among those in the fight at Stone
river, and informed the men that in
those times Of ignorance Of antisep-
ties the loss from illness exceeded
that Of killed in battle. Comrade
Rowland was at Baxter Springs when
the raider. Quantrell overlook the
company and killed many. and Gen
Blunt "~retreated" with coat tails out
standing stiffly.
Comrade Duff told of being sent
from Baltimore to tear up a railroad,
anticipating a good time. Instead
they were charged by IN overWhelm-
ing number Of the enemy, their re-
treat cut off, and in five minutes left
$50 men dead on the field. Com
rade Metcalf, who was also in the
fight at Baxter Springs when the
raider overlook them, varied the de-