The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1917-09-27
THOUSANDS 90 HONOR
TO DEPARTING SOLDIERS
COURTHOUSE YARD SCENE
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION

w n AQLGA 4tAND ~ 10y ~
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATES
Scenes Bring to Mind Days Of Nsrly
Eloquent Speeches Pa
triotic Songs, Pathetic Partings
and Many Tears Shed-Mem0rie'
Of Day VIII Last for Years.
Not since the days Of the war be.
tween the States, from 1861 to 1865
have such scenes been enacted in
COvington as were witnessed here
last Friday, the day that the second
quota of young men from Upton
eoanty-44 in number--left for Camp
G6Eaon, near Atlanta, Ca, to enter
camp preparatory to entering mill
targ life.
The day was not without its pa
thetic scenes, for number OF poor
old sad-hearted mothers were here
and poured out their grief over the
departure Of their sons. Sweet
hearts, too, manifested sorrow at the
going away Of their beloved. But
altogether it was a happy occasion
The boys we're happy to be SO hand
somely honoled and the citizens
assembled here were happy to be
among those paying honor to the
young heroes.
Mr.. j. w. Mcdaniel, our enterpris-
ing local photographer, made pic
rufe of the boys on the steps of the
Federal building,
Both at noon and at supper the
boys were given sumptuous meals
at the Hotel Lindo, and the good la
dies of the local Red Cross saw that
each had boxes filled with an ample
supply of good things to take with
them on the journey.
The hour from A to o'clock was
the time set for the carrying oIt Of
the farewell program to the Boys,
and before that hour people began to
arrive here from every part Of the
county, filling the public square with
their automobiles and other vehicles
III was estimated thai 5000 roop
assembled in the coultyarl u VII
ness this program.
Rev r. A. Clark, pastor cf the
First Methodist Church, presided and
gracefully introduced the speakers,
all Of whom, including the presiding
officer, sounded a note of optimism
and patriotism. Rev, M. r. Gibson,
pastor cf the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian Church, delivered the
Invocation. Eloquent and patriotic
addresses were delivered by Hon
R. b. Baptist by Col, VIM. Sanford,
b Confederate veteran; by Col IA.
al. Walker, a veteran of the Spanish
American war; by Col WI "A. Owen,
Rev. r. r. Walker, pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church, and by Rev.
Charles j.. Wauford. pastor Of the
First Baptist Church. Patriotic
songs were sung, Columbia" being
sung by the school children Of the
city. The platform was decorated
with sold Glory" and the young sol
diers were drawn up in line before
the platform during the exercises.
The singing was In charge Of Mr..
s. e. Kirby, the leader of the choir
at the meeting now in progress at
the First Baptist Church, and well
did he acquit himself in that capacity
the patriotic songs carrying with
them a thrill to every person in the
immense throng. Every speaker,
too, seemed filled with patriotism
and enthusiasm and their speeches
impressed every one present.
Behind the speakers stand was a
lite background decorated with red,
mite and blue bunting In
NE center, in red, white and
Slue letters, were the words,
sour Boys" On the left Of this was
Confederate flag with the date
"1861" and on the other "Qld Glory"
with the date 1917" on the right.
The stand was draped in the nation
al colors. Many Confederate veter-
ans and their wives were present.
Many scenes Of the late sixties were
recalled and many tear was shed.
At the depot when the train pulled
into the station which was to bear
the boys far away, many sad, pa
thetic, heart-rending scenes were en-
acted. Aged wrinkled mothers and
fathers chung to their boys in fond
nbrace, sweethearts planted the kiss
81 affection upon their checks and
ID sweet young wives, though strug-
INC to be brave, broke down at the
moment and gave vent to their
otions, The train pulled out at
'cIock amid the waving of thous-
ls Of handkerchiefs, shouts from
Iany Threats and cries of farewell
'front.' the boys on the train. 1t was
scene that will live in their memoir
les as long as life shall last. Ten
thousand prayers are offered for the
safe return of every boy.
The following is list Of the youn&
men who departed from here, all be- \
ing In command Of Mr.. John S. Win
ford, VINO was elected captain:
Faul Rice, Robert Murphy Bell,
Y ilse Graves Murphy, WsAiam Boyce
ind, Joseph Wynns Meek. Joseph
Oliver Ralph, John Baptist Ashe, Ma
than Howard, John Sullivan Winford,
Claude Harris, William Ernest Bias
engame. Arthur Lowe. Craven Jones,
John Robert Fredrickson, Blanton
Sidney Hall, Arthur Edward Bur
rough, Robert Stone Gift. Delbert
D ss, Hugh Howell, Arthur Gilbert
4wlSins, Alvin Pearl Goforth, An
Brown Cares, John Mclaughlin
walker, Jim Edward Birchfield, A. P.
Pruitt, Leolin Purser, Bert Simmons,
Viii TAYLOR David, Robert Smith, Es-