Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-05
tBx Geo. b. Wtnshin.

National City, Cal, Feb. 2e.-I
am indebted to Comrade GRADER,
quartermaster Of Willis A. German
Post, q. A. r. for q complete roster
OF the surviving members of the Post,
as contained in his last quarterly re-
0f these names borders upon the
pathetic: The report is, indeed, elo-
quent with pathos. Just 81 names are
contained in the roster out Of 1853,
which only few years ago constitut-
ed tho Post when in its pristine
strength. The active membership
when last met with the comrades
was shout SO. In nve years it has
peen reduced to Fl, and of this num-
Der less than half are active and at
tend the Post meetings with any de-
gree of regularity Comrades Graber,
Pierce. Knudson, Raymond, Church,
Secord and Cunningham are the de-
pendable members, and quite fre-
quently there are not enough present
at regular meetings to constitute .
quorum. Thus are the boys Of 's165
not perpetuate itself; new and moro
vigorous blood cannot be injected into
ats system. When tho last comrade
passes over to tho bivouac on the 9TH
or shore, "taps'' for all time on earth
will be sounded for the Grand Army
OF tho Republ1o.
The past few months have drawn
heavily upon the membership Of the
local Post. Comrades Monson, wehe,
Burrows and Goodboo having re-
sponded to the call. Comrade Am
brose Goodboo. Of East Grand Forks
was not SO we'll known by our people
es the others. He was q very old
IMAM, even when lie Joined the Post
several years ago, and was physically
:unable to move about much. We all
knew him. however. to be fine old
world, and possessing a record Of
square dealing with his fellow man.
Thomas Monson was an old settler
~ we'll as an old soldier. He was Of
sturdy Norwegian stock, and possessed
!: all the splendid qualities Of his ances-
! try. When q mere youth, shortly aft
: or his arrival in this country, he re-
(: sponded to IAncoln's call for SOC, 200
mon: and enlisted in Wisconsin regi-
ment. serving his full term. Nearly
thirty years ago he located near
q Grand Forks. where he prospered as
2 tiller Of the soil, rearing fine fam
t.y and doing his full duty as q good
citizen and loyal son Of his adopted
country. He was proud Of his mem
,bership of the Grand Army, and
many were the long tramps he took
the Minnesota side of the river sew
oral miles from the city, but he rare
~ missed q meeting Of the Post.
AS soldier and citizen he was a
representative type of the Scandina-
;vian who come to our shores to make
Ea permanent home. There is no by
phen in their nationality-no division
Of loyalty-frst, last and all the time
are they loyal American citizens. such
was Thomas Monson.
Comrade Wehe was an old resident
Of Grand Forks and always an active
member of the Grand Army During
the middle sos he cast his lot with
us. and his influence was always on
the side Of clean living, correct morals
and good citizenship. He had a deep
y religious side to his nature and
in everything. Two years ago he
visited mo at my home in National
City, and was so much charmed with
the scenic beauty Of our environment
that he walked with uncovered head
under the waving palms. uttering
words Of thanks to his Creator for the
privilege afforded him. Paradise. %
Home" were some Of his explanatory
phrases, and all were uttered in the
:, ynoat Teyerential manner, evidencing
tho working Of a mind wholly devoted
to the glory Of God.
He seemed determined to acquire a
home here, and before the passing Of
aweek he was negotiating with real
estate agents for the purchase Of a
place at La Mesa. I cautioned him
not to be in hurry, and to thorough
ly investigate propositions before he
committed himself; but the fires Of
enthusiasm, burned too fiercely to
heed advice. He secured thirty day
option on house and five lots at La
Mesa, made q small >payment, but
never returned to consummate the
deal. His enthusiasm and his desire
to speedily enter and reside in the