The Mena weekly star., 1917-09-06
OLKCOUNTYBOYS
 GIVEN A BANQUET
|. First Called Under SelectiNe s,ragt Are Honor Guests prayers. Music and Patri-
 Otic Talks.
These Answered "iiere!7 PFX CUNNINGHAM. TWILL KIRBY .3ROVER WINTON. DANIEL NJ. HEATH. HENRY l.. BAKER.

I*+#i A4NtI3t+ s'ht
 HENRY L. BAKER.
 The banquet in honor Of the @bove named, the first five to go
 om Polk county under the selec- hse draft was all that could have Keen asked from the standpoint of Patriotism, of pride in the fine tpune men. and m the sympathy, Spoken and felt, that went out to fhe parents and those nearest to hos who were leaving to fight }her country's battles.
 Directed by Judge w. Prickett, tposi of those who had arranged
 attend the banquet, formed at the Courthouse. At the head was J c. Mckee with bass drum and Daddy .Bavis with the snare, followed by line guests of honor, the parents and felatiyes of these, and number of pld soldiers. both blue and grey, and behind these the other guests. The #nrum beats put martial air into Ffhe proceedings and made some of Enc old boys straighten their backs S and keep hep to the music.
 Promptly on arrival at Hotel # Mena. the dining room doors were xthroWn open and assemblage, 60 in #al. found places at the long table. kJudee prickett, as chairman, called upon Dr. L. W B. Long for a prayer, which was given in a most touching manner, and all were seated before a most pleasing repast.
 Judge prickett then made short talk, in which he pointed out that the United States was not in this war merely because Germany had sunk the Lusitania and committed other offenses against us. but in be- half of worldwide liberty.
 Miss May Mcdonald sang, in most pleasing manner "Go Right Along, Mir. Wilson, the keynote of which was that we are all stanchly behind our President in the contest before our Nation
 Dr. Long, on being called on, could scarce speak for his own emotions. Ne told of his own son, going about his business, but with his hand be- hind his ear as he listened for the call to join these boys who were leading the way. He scored severe ly the stacker, the traitor, who. he declared, should be yoked together and driven into oblivion.
 Minor Pipkin responded with 8 thoughtful argument tending to show the absolute necessity and jus tice of the war, the virtue of the cause and why it was wrong at this time to turn the other cheek, re- lating how even Jesus Christ used force and the lash to drive from him the Oppressors of the weak and un- fortunate.
 Louis Robert sang America, Here's My Boy" in a manner to touch the heart of every loyal moth- CT and everyone with appreciation for a mother.
 Judge Alley. in his usual happy vein, made a short and fitting talk, commenting on having known the line young men who are going out 10 bare their breasts for our sakes; of knowing the parents from which they came and feeling with and for them both heart-ache and pride.
 America" was sung by all, led by Minor pipkin, with Mrs. R. A. Tom lnson at the piano, after which Dr. W, E. Green responded for talk. Dr. Green said he would rather be able to tell those present that their sons, and other sons, would merely be called to the training camps and that victory would come before they had to go to France, than to have the gold of the nation at his com mand, but that he could see no such happy condition; that the war would be long and bitter, and that, perhaps, by another June, a great battle must be fought near the scene 0f the Battle of Waterloo, that would make that contest look like a petty skirmish. He, too, has son who has been accepted, and is going to the front, and. like Dr. Long. sees in his home a mothers tears, and with all his strength ex- tended his sympathy to all the oth- CT mothers who were facing great sacrifices.
 With a short prayer the exercises closed, and about o'clock five of Polk county's finest young men left their homes for the training camps and all that is to follow.