River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-09-06
Ellsworth EntertainS
Most Royalty

AS one Of the guests, we join with
our comrades in thanking the peo-
pie of Ellsworth and Pierce county
generally for truly royal entertain
ment at the County Seat last Satur-
day. Every item Of the affair was
planned in excellent taste and car
ried out in a highly proficient man
ner. The guests are unanimous in
praise and appreciation
At 1920 the drafted men, number
ing about 10, formed into line on
the Court House lawn, and the ranks
were augmented by number of
soldiers who had already enlisted.
County Clerk D. j. Hohle then read
off the names Of the eight men who
had been chosen for the first call to
Fort Grant, at Rockford, Ill. They
are, Carl Andrew Kettleson Of Gill
man, Reuben E. Peterson of Trim
belle, Clyde Forrest Dopkins of Mar
tel, Clark w. Brown of Ellsworth,
Frank Anderson Of Martel, Evelyn
Conrad Thoner of Ellsworth and
Robert WATSON of River Falls. These
men left for Fort Grant this after
noon, and will be probably trained
there for non-commissioned officers
to assist in drilling those who are to
arrive later. The next allotment will
call for 40 per cent of the quota
and will, it is expected, leave about
the Goth. inst.
A reception o m m i zee, t h e n
greeted each man in line, and then a
committee composed of Misses Kate
Bowers, Abbie Turpening, Cora Cor
nelson and Alice Mihlies decorated
each man with red, white and
blue badge. On the reception COM
mittee were Mayor and Mrs. Will
Gilman, Mrs. Geo. Thompson and
Mrs. L. l.. Larson.
The men then marched to t h e
curb, from where they were taken
for an auto ride about the city, the
leading cars carrying squad of
Civil War veterans. There were
about SO cars in line, and the pa
rade stretched out over mile in
length and made quite an impressive
sight.
The parade returned to the Fire
mems opera house, where splendid
chicken pie dinner was served to
nearly 200 people, including the vet
Grams, the drafted men and those
who were to take part on the pro-
gram. Ladies of the Ellsworth w.
r C. preparded the repast, and,
assisted by about fifteen young Ia
dies, had it served to all in five min
utes from the time the men were
seated.
At 2:3O p. m. the program was
commenced in the auditorium of the
opera house, over l 900 people being
present. Hon. F. M. Nye of Mimi
eapolis was the principal speaker,
and his address, one of the most elo-
quent and inspiring ever heard here,
will long be remembered by all pre-
sent. Atty. John E. Folev of Ellis
worth gave the boys very fine trib-
ute in behalf of the people of Pierce
county. Harvey Smith, postmaster
at Maiden Rock, married man not
claiming any exemption from the
draft, replied in behalf of the boys.
At his instigation the boys stood in
a unanimous vote of thanks to their
hosts of the day. Beautiful solos
were rendered by Miss Grace Kempe
and Miss Bernice McDermott. Ralph
Peterson sang a couple of soldier
songs which proved very popular
with the audience. Harold Doolittle.
r. Hanson and Frank Woodwork
led the audience in singing patriotic
songs. The Ellsworth h r a
furnished several delightful selec-
tons during the program. The in
vocation was by Rev. M. B. Lilpack
and the benediction by Rev. j. G.
Brennan.
An ideal day, sumptuous ban
quet, an excellent program, t h e
unanimous cordially of the people
assembled, gave the men of Pierce
county's dra't quota an entertain
ment that will always remain among
their most pleasant recollections.