Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-02-01
RECEIVED SUNDAY NIGHT BY A
CROWD OF 700-BANQUET AND
DANCE MONDAY EVENING,


Hale, hearty and the very picture of
health and manliness, the members of
Company Z, the local -,ational Guard
company, arrived home Sunday even
ing after an absence of seven months,
the greater part of which was spent
on the border doing their full share of
the duty imposed upon them by their
country in protecting the lives of their
fellow citizens from the raiding parties
of Mexicans. Their home coming was
marked by one of the most enthusiastic
demonstrations this city has known for
many day and long before the ap-
proach of the train bearing them home
was announced by the continuous blow
ing of the whistles of the two engines
hauling the same, relatives, friends and
patriotic citizens to the number of six
or seven hundred had gathered at the
station to greet them. While the train
| was late and .ne night a most miserable
one few were the people who did not
| brave the elements and make their way
to the station to join in the right royal
welcoming so richly deserved and so
| generously given.
Rousing Welcome
Besides relatives and close friends,
the local band was there, the CONNER
cial club in body and hundreds of
citizens who were not lacking in ap-
probation and friendship and to the
young men who so readily responded to
their country's call. The arrival of
the train was announced fully ten
minutes before it hove into sight, the
train crew showing its patriotism by
the continuous blowing of locomotive
whistles when several miles from the
station. The arrival of the boys was
heraled by the ringing of the bells of
the various churches of the town, the
turning in of the fire alarm and the
loud blasts from whistles. After the
soldiers detrained and had received the
greetings of their friends, procession
led by the band, then a body of clti-
zens bearing torches, Company E, the
Commercial Club and citizens, was
quickly formed and marched to the
| armory where open house was held and
the young guardsmen kept bnsy
acknowledging the greetings of their
relatives and friends. A number of
patriotic airs were rendered by the
band as the hundreds of people
| crowded for a place in the line well
coming the boys. After guns and
equipment were disposed the guardsmen
| were given their liberty and military
| discipline relaxed, those having rela-
tives in the city going to their respec-
tive homes and boys from out of town
being taken to the Imperial Hotel
Reception Monday Evening.
The reception was held Monday even
/ Gip1G N
organization of young ladies of the
city perfected shortly after the calling
out of the troops for the purpose of
supplying funds for the wants of the
company and learning the Red Cross
work to be ready to answer call should
the occasion arise, having charge of
the affair in connection with the com
mercial club. A delightful banquet had
been arranged at the Odd Fellows hall
by the young ladies for six Monday
evening and gather at the banquet
board were the guardsmen, soldiers of
the Spanish American and Civil wars,
the band, relatives and friends and
business men to the number of more
than hundred. Beautiful decorations
of flags, streamers and colored lights
added to the pleasure as the tasteful
ladies attractively uniformed in the
ned Cross regulation.
! At the Hall.
Following the banquet at the |. o. O.
F.. hall the announcement was made
that the program would be given in
Schmadeka's hall, beginning at 8:15
When the crowd assembled here the
local band gave several appropriate
selections. Then Mr.. Anderson, acting
as master of ceremonies, made a brief
but timely Introductory address, in
which he congratulated the members OF
Company F. in that, while they had not
encountered actual battles, they had
obeyed fully their country's call, going
as far as they were called to go, doing
fully what was asked of them, and
thus showing the spirit of the true
soldier.
The chief address of welcome was
given by Attorney M. Reese Hatta
baugh. Speaking with a fluency com
bined with a depth of feeling that
reached real oratory he recalled how
when the parents and other relatives
of the soldier bows gave them up to &c
to the boder they gave the best theil
hearts held, not knowing whether the
boys would ever return or not, but nov
they rejoiced in welcoming home the
entire company without the loss of ,
single life. He also spoke of how thu
boys had done their best, and trustee
that the result of their experience woul'
be found to be the development of th'
best in the boys themselves. II
quoted Admiral Dewey's saying the tw,
outstanding qualities of a successful
soldier are courage and common sense
The first response was given b.
Captain Kading. He spoke of some o
the tributes the company had received
the Second Idaho Regiment having dis
tinguished itself as the best on the Dor
der, and Company E as the best of tn
regiment. The boys had kept them
selves clean both physically an
morally and assured the people o
IGronuay,I1a nf tha oanuipa anprani II n,