The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-16

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their unbounded enthusiasm, their
time and their labors. and gave them
cheerfully. And Keokuk's reception
gushing qualifications where service
for ones country is the stake.
Veterans Extend Welcome.
The veterans of other wars, the
remnants OF the great war of the
rebellion, with flowing boards and
scanned faces, and the Spanish war
veterans. now just entering the realm
o. middle life, paid their homage to
Company l. along with the civilians
who know little of the hardships and
rigors CT a soldiers life.
The veterans of other wars gave
their welcome unsparingly, tribute
to Americas youngest band OF heroes
from those who heard the call OF
the great republic in the past. They
know what army life is and their
tribute, perhaps, is the most perfect,
for they have gone through 1t all be-
fore. and appreciate the innermost
feelings Of the returning soldiers.
Company L, along with sister COM
panies from all over the land, has
drilled and marched and perspired
under the steaming southern sun for
full half year. The members have
complained of their rations and
treatment, along with others. have
chafed under the rigid hand of mill
tary discipline and put their thoughts
in letters home land uneven poetry
to the newspapers, but notwithstand-
ing, their patriotism never wavered.
No Sacrifice too Great.
Had the gauge OF battle been
thrown down to them, they would
have given their blood and the last
full measure of devotion for the
great principles which are EN- bodied
in these United States, our United
states and their United States. II
tLey made complaints, it was only
on the surface. Underneath lay the
spirit of loyalty and devotion that has
thrilled the bearers of the American
eagle on the four continents and the
seven seas.
And so Keokuk can have no finer
tribute for the members of Company
l. than this: They did their duty,
and in this epitaph on the end OF an
adventure that was born in necessity
and executed in haste, the CITY will
pay it's respects to the men who re-
sponded SO nobly to their Country
call.
Company L detrained at the union
depot. where seven months ago they
left amid a city's cheers, at sos
o'clock last night. The old en-
thusiasm was there. only magnifed.
A thousand braved the biting cold
of winter weather and. thronged the
depot and river front to greet the re-
turning guardsmen. The people were
tined up for a block and as the
recession moved out Main street,
hundreds more thronged the street.
Greeks Pay Homage.
AT the depot waiting were the
Spanish war veterans. the civil war
remnants, the Boy Scouts, the band.
and not least, a body OF Keokuk
Creeks at the head OF whose column
f,oated the grand old nag and the
bue and. white of the Greek ma
t,onal emblem. Coming as they did.
mon from the old world and all its
traditions, to greet the sons of the
great republic, in which they have
chosen to make their homes, these
Greeks paid tribute to their adopt
ed land and city which is nothing II
not perfect. Proud they were to
march in honor of an event IN which
thew are now vitality interested. and
the city respects them for the devo-
ton they displayed.
Red Lights Burning.
After Company L had formed in
line after leaving the train. the pro
oessiop started on its journey to the
CITY. Heading the line was wagon
in which great glow Of red fire
pafnted the whole scene in colors of
martial splendor.
Then came the Community band,
playing for al' it was worth. Previ-
ousIy the band had played short
concert at the depot while waiting
for the arrival of the soldiers.
Next in line were the Elks and
their huge American flag. It took
thfrty.six members of the order to
carry the emblem, which measures
thirty by forty-five feet. Then came
the members of George v. Jenkins
camp, Spanish war veterans. An
a. and fhnir cQmn COIOrS