Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-09-27
AFFECTING SCENES As
CROWD SAYS GOODBYE

Fifteen shrill cheers for "the sold
many fearful, but brave fare
wells, and 6S Audrain County young
men boarded a special train at the
Wabash station and started for the !
raining camp for the new National
Army at Camp Funston, Kansas.
dothers, sisters, brothers, fathers,
md friends = more than 1000 of
hem = were there to see the "boys"
Who represent Audrain county's Sec
md contingent to the army, and bid
hem God-speed. The patriotic DEM
,~nstration held here Tuesday was call
ID the official one, but the demonstra-
tion this morning was the real one.
Every phase of life was represented
the second contingent. There were
men who showed by their clothes and
they wore that they were leav-
ing the very best home surroundings
and all that money could buyj
and there were men who showed they
did not leave so much Some carried
expensive and new suit cases and grips
and some carried only a few things
wrapped in a paper bundle. But they
were alike in one very apparent
characteristic - manhood. No finer
or more likely looking bunch of men
could be found.
The immense crowd that turned out
to say goodbye to the men, standing
in the jam at the station waiting pa
tiently for the train, which was late,
can be regarded in no way except a
remarkable expression of the comrnu-
nity's gratitude. This was one time
when the young men were not asham-
ed to have their women folk make over
them in public. Aged mothers bent
in grief were there, and sisterly EN-
braces and kisses were more than
welcome. And the s~weethearts were
there, too, and, as sweethearts, had a
perfect right to do as they pleased;
and lots of them did.
The demonstration was a manifesto
ton of sharply contrasted sentiments.
/ Down at the station mothers and sis
tiers were bent in grief uncontrolled,
while the band was playing stirring
tunes and men were cheering, yelling
and throwing their hats in the air.
During the roll call one young con.
script relieved the tense situation by
shouting, "You know it; here l ann
when his name was called. The GROVE
laughed, smiles taking the place Of
tears on many countenances.
The 6S men representing the sec.
ond increment to the army gathered Al
the headquarters of the local board a
10 o'clock Friday morning. A bis
crowd had gathered at the Fedora
building to witness the assembling
of the men, practically all of then
fell in line behind the parade and wen
to the station, and many more wer,
waiting there. A throng which file,
the platform and every vantage poin
and overlooked into the street wa
there when the train came.
Upon their arrival at the Fedora
building, the men were given instruc
tions relative to the entrainment b,
E. S. Wilson, chairman of the loca
board; Roy E. Paullin was appoint
ed by the board to be in charge Of tn
men; Jay Herold Frost, son of Mrs
Lily Herald Frost, editor of the Van
dalia Leader, was named as his assls
tant. After roll call by Captain Paul
lin, a short address was made to tn
soldiers by Postmaster W. R. Jack
son and H. P. Atkins, pastor of tn
Mexico Christian Church, offered
prayer.
Ribbons on which was printed, INA
tional Army Unit, Audrain County
Missouri" were presented to the me-
by Secretary John T. Stewart, on be
half of the Mexico Chamber of Com
merce, and two stamped envelope
and a post card were given each of tn
conscripts by the employees of tn
post office. The comfort bags wer
given to the men by the w. G. 7. u
ladies when they first assembled o
Thursday. Applause and cheers fror
the men greeted the announcement
that W. W. johnson was going t
pass around the cigars. Mr.. Johnso
had gone up town and brought severn
boxes of cigars which were passe
around among the drafted men.
Two of the men notified to be hel
and leave with the men for trainin
camp did not show up. They al
Robert Vannoy, of Vandalia, and Of
yer Vance Morgan, of Mexico. Wa
ter Ray Ballew and Edward Henri
Blase, were the alternates who went
their stead. Vannoy was employed
a restaurant in Vandalia registratic
day, but since being drawn and exam
ined has left town. He left a TO
warding address, but it is said thi
mail sent to that address has been r
turned to the ~postoffice there. Morgs
was examined by the local board al
notified that he was called. 1t
thought that he has since Joined Il
Fifth MISSOURI Regiment at Nevad
While Audrain county's contingent
only 68, SO men left or the special Fl
day. Champ Clark Lake, who regi
tered in Franklin county, Iowa, we
with the local boys; but the Iowa cou
ty will be given credit for him.
After the services at the FEEDER
building, the men marched to the ST
ton, escorted by the M. NJ. A. ba
and a battalion of cadets. Applau
and cheers greeted them all along t
. line of march.
If there was anything in connecti
' with the demonstration more imprt
sive than the heartfelt farewells G
en- the "boys," it was the wonder
zest, the happy and willing spil
they showed as they boarded the tr;
and waived their departing farew
to the folks at home.
Hi The oaso of Dohart Nnopn,y of Ne