Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-09-19
W|NNESHIEK BOYS
GUESTS OF HONOR

40 members rendered a number Of
patriotic songs, which added much TO
the enjoyment of the program.
After the banquet was over, which
was served by a large force of the
women of the city, and they certainly
did their part well, program of
short talks was given DR.. Conover,
the POSTMASTER, in his usual eloquent
way, introduced the various speakers
The first speaker was Mayor E. ].
Hook, who was followed by DR.. H. II.
Green, Lieutenant Governor Moore
and President c. X. Preus. of Luther
College. Their talks were much ap-
preciated and were full of wisdom
and advice to the young men who de-
parted today, and the ones who will
depart later.
During the course of the evening
the POSTMASTER read very nice let
ter from Merchant K. l. Haugen, who
is now confined by illness at the De-
corah hospital. Mr.. Haugen regret
ted not being able to attend, and sent
his best wishes to the boys leaving
to help protect the honor and stability
of our country.
At the conclusion Of the speeches,
Mrs. Norman Willett appeared before
the boys, and stated that owing to
the fact of Vice President Mrs. h. j.
Curtin of the Red Cross being out of
the city, she had been requested to
make a presentation to the boys Of
comfort kits. Mrs.. Willett gave a
very appropriate talk and tolt abott
the efforts of the ladies Of the county
in doing things for the comfort of the
soldier boys AID told them that they
had little gift for them that she hop
ed would be the source of much COM
fort and pleasure to them. Ladies
then presented each young man with
a comfort kit and it is needless to
say that they are highly priced by the
boys.
The program at the hall lasted un-
til about $50 when the DEBORAH
Drum Corps appeared with Major
Caldwell acting as drum major, and
by the way there are none better
than this veteran, who is just as
young in spirit as the day he should
cred his gun and started away to de-
feld the union in the Civil war. The
Drum Corps escorted the soldier
boys to the Lyric and Star were an
excellent program Of pictures was en-
joyed After the picture show pro-
gram was over dance was given at
Haugen's hall, an! all Of the boys
who wished had the privileges ct
dancing. ue lJ
The whole program will linger long
in the memory of all. The people of
DEBORAH never do things by halves,
and they are to be congratulated on
their efforts yesterday, and we are
sure the soldier boys feel that those
who are left behind are with them in
spirit AID that spirit gave them dou-
BILE courage to meet the obstacles,
that are now obscured from them.
The seventy-four fine young men
departed this morning over the Rock
Island at seven o'clock. A heavy rain
was falling, but nevertheless in the
Ineighborhood of thousand people
were at the depot to wish them luck
and Godspeed, and a safe return
home The Merchants band was at
the depot and played a number Of
pieces, and many tears were shed
when the sight of the last coach was
lost to view. The boys were all feel
ing in the best of spirits, and waved
their farewells in true American
style. May God bless and keep them
all safe is our earnest wish.
In all probability at least 1000
of the Iowa selected men who report
today at Camp Dodge for service in
the national army beginning Sept. 10,
will not see enough of Camp Dodge to
retain more than a casual memory of
the big collection of barracks.
Present plans at the cartolment,
based on orders from the war depart
ment, contemplate the transfer to
Deming. n NJ, Immediately upon re-
porting there of the first 5000 men
received on the next call
A total of 1920 men are to re-
port at Camp Dodge during the five
day period beginning Sept. 10. OF
these 800 are to go from Iowa,
3,746 from Minnesota, 2,242 from
North Dakota and ZAP from Illinois.
While the procedure has not been
definitely announced, it is proposed
to take the first 5000 reaching the
cantonment after Sept. 10, and turn
them over to the depot brigade,
which will Immediately arrange to
transport the men to Deming, where
they will be used to fill the ranks of