American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-10-05
RECEPTION FOR SOLDIERS
DREW BIG CROWD
Interesting Program OF Addresses.
Music. and Military Drill

The reception rendered the depart
ing soldier boys Tuesday evening drew
g large crowd anxious to show their
appreciation Of the services the young
men were departing 10 render their
country. Mrs. Reader, president Of
the local red cross chapter was in
charge, and everything moved smooth
IT..
John NJ Coleman, a veteran of the
civil war who participated in the
Nicksburg campaign. interested and
amused all by relating his experiences.
and comparing the comfort bags which
al our boys received with the hand
kerchief he carried which contained
an his earthly belongings when he left
his home in southern Illinois for the
training camp; the comfortable SOL
cier-clothes of today with the heavy
blue uniforms with OvercOat all but
toned in front in which he was forced
20 drill in midsummer of 1862 His
"Reminiscences We're interesting and
at times amusing, especially when he
described participating in an attack
on fortified point on the outer works
of the Vicksburg defenses. Did
ever rum" he asked. You bet l
have he said in answer TO his own
question. Describing the attack above
mentioned he said he did not feel
afraid until an order to retire was
given when the attacking force was
within thirty yards of their objective.
When l turned my back to the en-
envy" he said Il felt like the darkey
who was asked what branch of the
service he wished to join. All don't {
/ like the artillery the darkey said.
because il makes TOO much noise: an
All don't like the cavalry, because
when All retreats Ad don't want no
/ horses to bother with" Mr.. Coleman
closed by advising the boys to implicit
/ ly obey orders, this being necessary
to make them effective and was the
course that would keep them out of
trouble
Evangelist Osborn sang a solo, ac-
cOmpanied by Mrs. Callahan, and also
made a few appropriate remarks
which were we'll received
Mr.. Bailey. a member Of Company
+, the Second Montana infantry, sans
a solo. accompanied by Mrs. Thornhill
A drill by the Montana boys was
much appreciated feature OF the re
ception.
Hon. L. L. Evans made the princi
pal address of the evening. dwelling
upon the necessity of upholding tn
government in whatever way calle,
upon, in this crisis, and the freedom
and privileges Americans enjoy whic
should cause them TO be patriotic
You boys were drafted in a perfect
ly fair manner" he said. and Will
II may result in temporarily over
turning your business. cause sorrow
full partings and may result in death
1t is none the less your duty to serv
your country in its hour of trial. w
are all called to serve in some capaci
ty either in the front lines or behin
them in supporting those who do g
TO the front We have a right to ex
pect you to be men, and to commit n
act that will reflect upon yourselve
OF your country"
The reception closed by a presenta
tiOn of comfort bags to the boys an
a personal greeting by more than 25
OF those present.
Wednesday afternoon several hun
dred people gathered at the depot [
say final goodbye. The special trai
on which they left, passed throug
Q Nrsf.