The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-02-02
SOLDIERS At BANQUET
DANCING ON PROGRAM
RECEPTION ALSO FEATURE AT
THE KAT0 ARMORY
Returned Members of Company H Were
Honor Guests At Spread Served in
Hotel Heinrich Dining Room Last
Night; Addresses Followed; Praise
For Boys Who Went to the Border
From Fridays Daily.


First Lieutenant Herbert M. Hauci
was the hero of the hour at the ban
quet which was given by the citizens
OF Mankato under the auspices of the
Mankato Commercial club at the
Hotel Heinrich last evening to the
boys of Company H. There appea4eo
to be universal sentiment on the
part of those present, both soldiers
and civilians that it was he who
should have been made the captain
at the time of the resignation OF
Captain A. o. Scott. Captain Bertram
M. Cosgrove himself could not ex-
plain how it was that it was he and
not Lieutenant Hauck who was now
at the head of the company. He
praised the lieutenant for his hearty
cooperation, without which the new
captain would have been under ire
mendous difficulties.
The banquet itself was a mag
nificent affair. The attendance was
large, and all present entered most
heartily into the spirit of the oc-
casion.
Early in the evening, the ladies of
the banquet committee, who have
taken quite a prominent part in the
welcome that has been extended to
the returning protectors of this ma
ton and its people along the south
ern border, were engaged in decorat-
ing the dining room for the occasion.
Red carnations and other flowers,
with smilax and ferns, were used to
adorn- not only the tables but also the
chandeliers. A button-hole bouquet
of violets was placed by the side of
each plate.
AS the citizens assembled in the
hotel corridor, they were greeted with
sweet strains of appropriate music,
played by the Loyola orchestra. Aft
er a time the Company H boys them
selves marched in, clad in their
khaki overcoats and uniforms. The
whole aggregation of guests and
hosts filed into the dining room, the
door of which was adorned with flags.
Some of the boys in uniform were
not of Company H. Among the guests
were Lieutenant Colonel Oliver
Duane of st. Peter, and Captain ].
P. Markoe and Lieutenant G. M.
Borst of Company F of Worthington.
F. M Currier, president of the
Mankato Commercial club, gave the
words for all to be seated, and then
was served the following sumptuous
menu:
Consomme Princess
Olives Almonds Gherkins
Roast Young Turkey Sage Dressing
French Peas En- Caisse
Pommes A La Creme
Cranberry Ice
Fruit Salad y(Llano Grande)
Company III" Ice Cream
Assorted Cake
Coffee De Luxe
Ice Cream Was Decorated
The ice cream had the appropriate
colors of red, white and blue, ana
each cake of the cream was decorated
with little American flag, suspend
ed from pin for a flagstaff
Cigars that were donated by the
Gowan- Lenning-Brown company of
Minneapolis, wholesale grocers, were
passed around at the close Of the
supper. These were of the Honor
Brand"
Mr.. Currier opened the speaking
program, extending to the boys OF
Company H, as well as to- the other
returning soldiers, most hearty
welcome on behalf of the Mankato
Commercial club. He said the boys
had been protectors of the honor of
their nation, their state and them
selves, although, as it happened, there
had been no actual fighting. Mr.. Cur
rier announced that in the absence OF
Mayor Lamm, who was to have well
coined the boys back on behaf OF
the city, City Attorney Phillips had
been appointed for that function.
Expressed Regret For Mayor.
Mr.. Phillips expressed regret that
Mayor Lamm, who had always had
the greatest of interest in the welfare
of Company H, was not present to
greet the boys. When the company
left six months ago for the Mexican
border, he said the future was very
uncertain. All the great countries OF
Europe were at war, and the condl-
lions along the Mexican border very
very bad, 1t appeared quite probable
that this country would itself become
involved in war. The citizens OF Man
kato felt that no matter what hap
pened, the boys of Company H would
give a good account of themselves and
they certainly had made good. All
had returned in safety except Private
Kelly, whose death resulted from an
accident. The city of Mankato was
proud of them when they left six
months ago and was now proud to
welcome them back
In presenting George M. Palmer,
Mr.. Currier referred to him as one
who had started out poor, one VINO
had never grown old and one who had
been a pioneer in the cause of good
roads. Mr.. Palmer was on the program
ito extend a welcome on behalf OF the
people.
! Mr.. Palmer declared it was a great
pleasure to greet the boys in the
name of the common people. He
spoke of the healthy color that the
soldiers showed, demonstrating that
the camp, life had benefited them. He
was proud to say that not a man OF
Company H refused to go when the
call came. He was glad that they all
were ready and willing to CO. he
remarked on the fact that when the
war department wanted anything
done by the national guard, the Min
nesota boys were the first ones that
they would call upon, and Company
H in particular was in demand. Inc
service that the boys had rendered
nod meant loss of time and money