The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-10-27
lee Ccunty's First Contingent
Tor Selected Army Cheered
and Applauded as They
Parade Streets.
TRIBUTE IS PAID THEM
Their Own People and White
Organization Turn Out to
Bid Them Good
bye.

Lee county's first contingent of
coIored men selected by Uncle Sam
for service in his new national army
left this morning for Camp Dodge.
THEW were given a great send off at
the station this morning by their own
neople and last evening Keokuk citi-
selns honored the boys who will follow
| in the footsteps of those loyal troops
which were recruited in the days when
men fought to free their colored
brothers, and in the footsteps of those
boys that charged in the face Ct hell
and barbed wire, up San Juan hill, and
made possible the victory that has
been credited to the rough riders.
White and colored citizens paid
homage last night in the demonstration
for the boys who left this morning.
Both joined in the parade which ex
tended for blocks, and which was wit
messed by throng OF people. The Sc
ected men were greeted with bursts
Of applause, and everywhere they were
given the tribute they deserved. They
were going to fight for this country,
Just as hundreds of other men are 60
ing, and they have behind them the
ten in blood and glory. Not colored
trooper who has ever carried the flag
of his country into action has ever
failed to support that starry banner.
And these boys who will form part Of
the new national contingents will be
Just as brave, and Just as patriotic.
Young and old. big and little, they
Joined in the procession last night.
Every one carried flag, and there
was seriousness on the part of every
one in that parade that made Jumps
come into the threats of the watchers.
The patriotic demonstration was one
which will be remembered in the an
mails of patriotic Keokuk, on a par
with the send off given the other Sc
lected army contingents. It was a
splendid tribute and one which did old
Keokuk good. Keokuk people were
paying the honors for Lee county, and
they did it well. This morning, their
own people babe them farewell. 1t
was a touching scene at the station.
Boys kissed mothers goodbye, and
waved to brave but weeping sweet
hearts, who watched them as they
boarded the train. But not one Of
them would have pulled their boys
back. Not one of them but who gave
cheerfully, although hearts were sad
dened.
The Big Demonstration.
The parade which formed at the
Peoples Institute and moved prompt
ly at 1880 o'clock, was several blocks
in length. Leading the big pageant
were f. d. Bland, marshal, and his
aides, Emmanuel Proctor and Everett
Holmes, all mounted. The parade
moved on to Main street at Four
teenth and went to Third street,
countermarching at Third street to
Sixth, thence to the A. M E. church.
Following platoon of police came
the members of the Peoples Insti-
tute band. Behind them marched
Commissioners Hilpert and Hickey,
and back Of these came the local
exemption board, with Chairman
Scott in charge. Behind the board
marched the boys who left this morn
Ing. There were a splendid looking
set of young fellows. They were in
charge of Ralph Tebeau. Behind the
boys marched Uncle Sans drum
corps, members of the Elks and
Eagles, and the Kindig and Commun-
ity bands.
The colored organizations turned
out en- masse, and while they should
nave been given all of the places of
honor, they were content to show
their patriotism by marching wher-
ever the marshal placed them. The
Morning Star auxiliary was in uni
form, and made a splendid showing.
other organizations, both men and
women n,1t tn, low IA
some of the young boys, who were
!ust under the draft age. marched In
one contingent, CARRYING a good sized
nag The Keokuk Elks, No LOG, car
rled their large flag. as usual. and
very Eagle who marched carried an
Individual flag.
One of the finest demonstrations
" ioyalty was the children's section
Little boys and girls, each with
s'all flag. marched like young SOL
u'ers the full length of the long trip
ana not to be outdone a bit. their
eoers were right in line, and keep
u's step to the martial music. There
were cray haired women in line with
tueir grandchildren.
was one of the finest outpour.
,lss Of patriotism that one could ask
tor' and showed that the people are
pe'lihd the president in their desire
once and for all deal the blow that |
snai send Kaiser Bill through the !
, ~, and out of the ring. No de- /
s ss, on points will go in this great /
asht. And it's a safe bet that with !
s surh patriotism of united people as {
, Nus Shown last night, it won't be /
sust common knockout, it will be !
an annihilation.
m At the Church..
'Neported for The Gate City by \
-, Alonzo Drain
me parade euded al pafhel A NJ 4