The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-07-26
CITIZENS OF MANKATO
Continued From Page One.)

regiment in this city and placed Man
kato in the same. class as. st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Duluth. a{ n isal
~ 81 am, very glad to, bid a, hearty
welcome to, the new organization :, TO
our city, as well as to welcome the
large audience that has gathered here
to honor Colonel Lewis, This gath
ering is also in the form of a. farewell
we'll to the, home guards, an organiza- :,
ton which did their part, full well
when they were nodded and which
proved so efficient a body of men
that they were in a measure respop4-t
sibIe for the splendid honor that has
been rendered the city,"
Tribute 20 Former Company. s..
Mayor Champlin paid tribute to
Company H, the former National
Guard unit stationed here and his re-
marks were greeted with burst Of
applause He stated that he. felt GER
tain the men of that company would
make a record, once they went into
action and he was confident the pres
Ont nenawere worthy successors of
the former National Guard company
from this city.
"We should show honor to those
men of our city who have been
awarded offices in this new organi-
zation. They have taken a full share
in the war service program. They
stand ready to defend their homes and
TO preserve law and order at home"
remarked the mayer. "Mankato is
to have full share of the honors of
the new organization and l wish to
congratulate Colonel Lewis on his
rapid advancement, to congratulate
the regiment as a whole on their ex
cellent colonel and to congratulate
The Mankato men who have been
awarded commissions in the new reg
iment."
Colonel Lewis was introduced BIZ
George NJ Palmer, vino stated that
the colonel had always been respect
ed as a business man and citizen
but that people must now learn to
respect him as a military officer He
sEokei of the rapid advancement of
Colonel Lewis, from captain to major
and from major to the rank of colo
mel.
Its hard to tell where he will end
now said Mr. Palmer
The audience all rose as Colonel
Lewis took his place on the platform.
After they had resumed their seats
the colonel spoke briefly. He said
that he fully felt and appreciated the
high honor that has been rendered
him and wished to express his ap-
probation TO the people of Mankato
He then paid tribute to the fine "ar-
ray of talent" Mankato had in the
line of officers in the local compan-
les.
Boys Stood Up Straight
Stand up, boys, and let them see
you," he commanded and the local
officers laughingly got to their feet
while the audience applauded.
Colonel Lewis stated that Mankato
had been highly honored in having
the headquarters of the regiment
Eere. He said it meant much to the
city and to the people and that he
was glad a public meeting had been
held to acknowledge the fact. The
colonel explained that important bus
mess matters with the Public Safety
commission had made it quite impos-
sible for Governor Burnquist to be
present at the gathering.
Speaking of the progress of enlist.
ments Colonel Lewis said that Man
kato had enlisted about ESQ men,
which he considered was an excellent
showing. Rochester and other cities
were also making great record, he
stated, and expressed confidence that
the entire regiment will be raised to
full war strength in short lime.
Following the remarks of Colonel
Lewis, Mr.. Palmer said he was sure
he spoke for everyone present when
he expressed the deepest regret that
the governor was unable to be pres
ent He paid high tribute tc Gov
! ernor Rulnquist, as the war governor
of the state and stated that he was
man who had stood firm to his con-