Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-06-01
FINE TRIBUTE
TO BEN CURLER
,(continued From Page One)

preservation OF humanity, ana ne palu
a splendid tribute to the patriotism
and devotion of the parents for con-
senting to the wish of their only son
to go to the front and do or die for
his native land. He proudly contrast
ed his action with the action of the
craven spirits who are daily crossing
the Mexican border to avoid conscrip'
ton, and said that his spirit was the
spirit that made and preserved our
nation. He then took occasion to
speak OF the liberty bonds and the
failure OF certain men well able to
buy them to do their share. Those
who look at the matter purely from a
business point of yiew," said the
Judge, "and refuse to buy because they
can place their money at a higher
rate OF interest are indeed short
sighted, for II the allies lose this war,
they may see the steel mailed fist OF
German autocracy before them and
hear the demand to give up all they
possess"
HAL SuS COuCiuoiOh Va
Carey Van Fleet was called upon and
delivered one of the most masterful
and patriotic addresses ever heard
In Elko. 1t was not prepared speech,
for Mr.. Van Fleet was not advised
that he would be called upon until
late in the afternoon. In fact the en-
tire proceedings were an impromptu
affair. 81 assume the task that mas
,befallen me with diffidence," began
Mr.. Van Fleet, for what are words
at times like this when strong men
tremble with emotion and womens
hearts are breaking" Then IL beau
tiful words he spoke of the duty We
owe to our country and of the high
privilege 1t was to offer ones life on
the field of battle for the preserva-
ton. of human right and liberty. II
was privilege permitted only to the
young, the fit and strong. Would to
God we all could stand on the firing
Lire together. but that cannot be.
Some Of us must stay at home. But we
all can serve. There are high and
sacred duties for those who are left
behind" Continuing Mr.. Van Fleet
said that ninteen hundred years ago
humanity turned to the cross for com
fort. Now the eyes of the civilized
world are turned to America, and II
may be that the Savior has ordained
that America is to bring the world Il
justice, humanity and christianity. HI
said that 1t was not the purpose o
the meeting 10 extend sympathy Il
Ben Curler, Ire Woodhouse and other
who had gone to the front, or to thei
parents. but to share in their homo
and glory; that the spirit of tho occa
sion was not sorrow but triumph.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Van Fleet
address Judge Curler was asked b
the court If he would make fey
remarks. The judge was deeply move
and he spoke with difficulty, but hi
words were replete with beautiful SCI
timents. He said that IL the suprcm
court granted the petition that ha
been read that the honor that II woul
bring to him would be the highest tina
had ever come in his life. He spok
of his father and mother and ho
they had trecked across the plains
the early fifties. His mother wake
nearly all the way from the Nilsson
one of the first men to practice In
In Nevada, and Ben was the only sc
of an only son. He had hoped an
prayed that Ben might not be called
serve, but the spirit of patriotism. II
desire TO serve humanity had control
cd the young man. he had heard I'll
call, and the spirit OF the son Wa
stronger than the spirit of the ratho
He said that he knew that his be
would return, that Il must be so, an
he hoped that IL would be I'm homo
In concluding his remarks he thanke
the members OF the bar from the DO
tom OF his heart. The judge was s
filled with emotion that he cou
hardly speak.
The court then called upon Charl'
q. Henderson. who made splend
talk and expressed some fine sent
ment. He rcjoiced in the part thi
Ben and other young men who ma
Volunteered were to play I'm the wa
and Ee envied them. He did NJ
ESinenI their going for they will r
turn with 'glcry and Will receive
glorious welcome. He gloried in III
position Of Judge and Mrs. Curlo
beholding their only son going to tn
front, Offering his life for his countr!
lotto n. Williams, president of tn
Biko County Bar association, was the
called upon. ar. Williams address
was full OF patriotic sentiment II
said that knowing Judge Curler a
had bad for many years that he ha'
expected a no less patriotic actor
from hts son. lie predicted n worl
well performed and said that the bos
wishes Of the community go with Ber
and all the boys, and earnest prayers