The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-24
CHEERS HUSHED AS CASS
SONS ENTER SERVICE
Continued From Page On,

Continued FROM rage Orea
Sunday morning at $3.50 o'clock. Lit
tie membranes might have been
given each son during the 36-hour
stay in Fargo, but the greatest gift
was the picture which will linger in
the mind Of the young man who
reaches Camp Dodge. and probably
the front. That gift will live in mem
DRY. 1t was the picture embody-
ing the appreciation of his services,
framed and hung in memory, in the
gathering Of more than 5000 people
at the station, waving a touching
and unclouded farewell as the train
pulled out Of sight.
Band, Crowd and Cheers.
The Fargo City baird, under the
direction of Bandmaster H. NJ. Rudd,
whose services are never wanting
when in time of need, members Of
the Fargo Home Guard, Boy Scouts,
Company B. First North Dakota in
fantry, the W. CT. u, and repre-
sentatives Of every fraternal organi-
cation in Fargo. stormed the sta
ton to see the newly chosen men
Off It was the greatest demonstra-
ton in Fargo since Uncle Sam COM
menced calling his men through the
act Of congress on May Is, 1917 and
when a few weeks later 100000
men of the country went forward
and offered their services.
Members Of the Fargo Home Guard
had been asked by Sheriff A. NJ.
Ross, chairman OF the Cass county
selective draft board, to assist in the
work Of keeping back the throngs in
order that the men might answer roll
call without delay. The sheriff and
County Auditor Tucker. the latter,
clerk of the selective board, knew
only too well what conditions would
be Sunday morning after battling in
the crowd on Thursday evening,
Sept. 6. when Cass county sent its
first per cent to Camp Dodge. The
crowd Sunday morning was just
double that Of Sept. 6. i
The members Of the guard denied
in two lines. forming right angles
with the train. Through this space
the men passed in entering the
coaches. Just before departing, the
guard swung back and formed a re-
serve. Only relatives and sweethearts
of the men were permitted to enter
1t. The plan worked out by Sheriff
Ross, Auditor Tucker and the Home
Guard in handling the crowd and the
was a piece Of executive
ability that was appreciated and
has been commented upon most
favorably by the citizens.
It was not eleventh hour planning,
but foresight on the part Of the Cass
county officials.
A Fathers Gift.
A mother may hug her boy and a
sister may repeat his name with
pride-and scores did Sunday-but
there is one thing that a dad" can
do which. while not touching, yet is
impressive and shows the heart of a
man. u
It is not the word goodbye" from
him, for scarcely a father in the
dense crowd said that word yester-
day. But this little scene will be re-
called.
A check book was taken from a
coat pocket and placed in the hands
Of one OF the newly chosen. In that
little book were signatures on each
hy-leaf.
The boy who was given that check |
book knew only too well the con-
idence on the part of the father.
chinaman In Crowd.
Wong Dew, Chinaman, was |
among the number from Cass coun- |
" to leave. He was given an ovation |
by the crowd when his name was |
,alled by Sheriff Ross. If ever the |
word America" meant anything to |
Wong, 1t did yesterday. There are.I
hundreds more, just like him in the
United States and many more in Far
TO-, whom Uncle Sam is not asham-
ID to have along with his choice
men to do service. There was a touch
Il pride on his face, and his step II
vas buoyant as Wong entered the II
,oach. He was a soldier OF the Unitei II
States. And no prouder Of the fact /
vas the bunch of Chinese gathered
20 see him OFF.