The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-30
Her Men Have Always Sprung to the
Colors at Every Call Of Their
Country and Her Women
Always Done Part.
PART IN WORLD WAR
Every Department of Army Fighting
for Democracy Has in it Some
Of the Best Of keokuk's
Manhood.

Keokuk has always done her duty in
any national crisis. There has al
ways been prompt response here to
any call for soldiers by Uncle Sam.
AT the beginning of the present
world war, Keokuk had a company OF
the Iowa national guard. L company
of the First regiment. which had seen
the service on the Rio Grande last
summer.
Even before the declaration of a
state of war, the entire First regiment
OF the Iowa national guard was or
dered into active service to guard rail-
ment property. The Keokuk company
portant United States property in
iowa, the lock and dry dock in the
Mississippi here. They were kept at
this work until the recent mobilization
at Des Moines, preparatory to the can
Torment at Deming.
Given Most important Task Early.
The Keokuk lock is perhaps the
most omportant government property
in the Mississippi valley. The armory
and plant at Rock Island is of i'm
mense Importance to the war depart.
ment, but it's work might be done else
where in a pinch.
The destruction Of the Keokuk lock,
as is well known to the German war
Office and it's hired men in this coun.
try, would stop navigation in the Mis-
sissippi river; and SO important is
this navigation during this war, that
government steamboats, are pushing
government barges loaded with mer-
chandise between Saint Paul and
Saint Louis, to allow the railroads to
haul more troops and army supplies
in cars.
Hence, the Keokuk company has
had during all this summer the most
important task assigned to any sol.
Giers in the middle west. They did
their task so we'll that there was never
any approach to danger around the
keokuk lock and dry dock. Other
guards have now taken up this work.
Officers and Privates Go to France.
3 The selective CONSUMPTION brought
fewer claims for exemption here than
in most cities. The work Of the board
was completed on time, and some of
the best Of the youth Of Keokuk en-
tered the national army through this
channel.
Almost as soon as the company re-
ported at Des Moines, sixty-three OF
Its men were selected and transferred
to be part Of the Rainbow division to
go to France very soon.
In the meantime, half dozen young
men of Keokuk, all Of prominent fam.
lilies and the flower of Keokuk young
manhood, had entered the officers
training school at Fort Smelling, and
every one of them won a commission
Others were scattered among other
schools and obtained commissions in
and other special service.
They are Serving Everywhere.
Half a hundred men of keokuk en-
listed in the Iowa munitions train in
a couple of days after the call for that
came
Half a dozen Keokuk doctors of |
high standing broke into the medical |
department Of the army, either by di- |
rect enlistment, through the reserve |
corps, or by way of a Red Cross unit |
with the organization Of which Keo- |
kuk had much to do.
The women quickly formed one of |
he best and most active Red Cross /
working organizations in the country
md began making hospital supplies
Ind soldier comforts. One Keokuk I
woman taught French to the soldiers
If L company free of charge Others \
ave showers of cakes and other eat 4
.bles while the local company was L
:amped here this summer.
This paper is too small to catalogue
III the details of what Keokuk people
lave done and are doing in this world
var for their country.
1t is too early to even forecast what Il
leokuk soldiers will accomplish in
he great army Uncle Sam is organic
ng and sending to Europe. One thing
8 sure-they will give a good account
{ themselves and do Keokuk proud,
s did the soldiers Of that other great
yar over fifty years ago.
keokuk In Previous Wars.
In the civil war, Keokuk was the /
for most of the Iowa |
oops before going south Keokuk
FINISHED the best troops that fought !
that war, and half dozen Keokuk
ZEN became general officers, colonies.
rigadiers and major-g generals. Keo-
axis part in that war is historical.
In the Spanish war, in 1898, Keokuk
lshed a company to the front, but
lat war closed SO soon that they got
lily to Camp Cuba Libre, at Jackson
lie. They were fine lot of SOL :
ers. E,