Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-09-25
ANOTHER PATRIOTIC DAY
Thousands of People Gather to Bid
Farewell to the Selected Men, Who
Left for Rockford, ILL.,, ON Wednes-
daY.

triotic day for WauSau in which, seem
ingly, all its residents participated
The occasion was the leaving of about
$50 of Marathon countys selected
young men for Camp Grant, Rockford,
Ill. The young men came to the city
on Tuesday and made preparations
to depart, going before the exemp-
ton boards, taking their oaths to en-
ter the U. S. service. In the evening
they were rendered a banquet by the
Wausau Rotary club. On Wednesday
morning there was hustling to and fro.
getting ready TO entrain, saying good
byes" to relatives, friends and sweet
hearts. At nine o'clock the crowds
commenced to gather on the streets
adjacent to the county square and
from there east to the tracks of the
c., M. & ST. Paul r. r. tracks. where
the train, which was to carry the
boys away, was in waiting, the street
was lined with many thousands of
people including the school children
Of the city. The members of the Citi-
2ens' Training camp, headed by the
band, marched from the armory to
Third street and to jefferson street
and when all was in readiness, shortly
after ten o'clock, the march was taxi
en- up to the train in the following
order:
Band
Citizens Training Camp
County Council of Defense
Exemption Boards
Selected Men
Company of Cadets
High School Students
Citizens
During the march there was the
playing of the band, blowing OF fac
tory whistles, waving of flags and the
shouting of farewells from friends.
Room was arranged for relatives at
the depot where good-byes were said.
but it was next to impossible for some
TO get anywhere near the train as the
outer circle was nearly a block away.
Each departing soldier was presented
with a housewife" which had been
made by committee Of ladies, under
the supervision of Mrs. ]. M Lull.
French conversation books were
given to each by S. B. Tobey.
Z. b. Bird, president of the Mara
thon County Council of Defense. dur
ing the time when the lines were be-
ing formed, addressed the school chill
dren on patriotism.
The train departed amidst the great
est demonstration ever witnessed in
the city, unless it might be at the
entraining of Company G, for Mexico.
Business in Wausau was practically
suspended during the departing hours
of our soldier boys.
Mosinee Knowlton and Dancy espe-
cially, the boys received perfect ova-
tions.
The, men from Marathon District
NO. 1 were in charge of Martin B.
Brunkalla of Athens, and John PrahI
of this city, had charge of the fellows
in District No. 2, during the trip to
Camp Grant.
Notes
The mill and factory whistles of the
city and nearby towns lent their en-
thusiasm to the scene, as the soldier
boys entrained for their destination.
The final partings were really and
truly affecting and many eyes were
filled with tears while the last good
byes were exchanged by relatives and
friends, as the train moved slowly
away, gathered momentum, and at
last faded away in the dim distance.
after which the immense populace dis
banded and all returned to their rel
speCtive homes.
The last contingent of honorary SOL
der boys to leave Wednesday for
Camp Grant, Rockford, ILL.,, for intense
training, were an interesting and Jolly
bunch and ere this time have doned
Uncle Sans clothing and are now
engaged in being fitted for their re-
spective duties, all of whom will la
ter be proud of the part taken by
them in this great conflict
Patriotism certainly ranked high in
Wausau and Marathon county We'd
nesday, upon departure of the hon
ored members called into military SER
vice by the government on that day.
The outpouring of the people of the
city and county was intense and the
enthusiasm knew no bounds, Sending
on the boys in high glee and cordial
good-byes and good wishes for times
to come.
Wausau is always on the alert when
it comes to showing its colors and
enthusiasm and Wednesday was no
exception; it intensely capitulated and
shows how Wausau stands for free
dom on land and seas in this great
crisis and ready on all occasions to
do its part in sustaining it's general
deserved reputation.
The public schools closed in the
forenoon and it was sight to see the
different grades of scholars. flags in
hand, troOping along in the parade
and happy as larks, enjoying the mo-
mentouS occasion to their hearts de-
light and gratifying to parents and
friends.
Another 40 per cent draft takes
place in this county on October Srd
and many men are anxious to be in IL
before alleged peace negotiations ter
inmate.