The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-08
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS


 Some call it Sayre and pronounce it as if spelled Scar; some give it a twist and make it sound like Sair; while others insist on dividing 1t and making it syl- lable forth as Say-re.
 Now, 1t makes no difference what fiber ties any one takes with the name in pro- nouncfng it. it stands for as game little mining town as there is in the land, for while it is no phoenix. arising from the ashes, yet it did pick up the pieces left by the cyclone and built itself anew.
 
 l Now, other villages have arisen out of the path of the storm and built in spite of wind and weather, but know of no mining camp in the whole country which was swept away practically in the twelvemonth. yet refusing to be wiped off the map got busy and created new settlement, and to show that it was not downhearted oyersubscribed its allotment both for Liberty Bonds and the Red Cross.
 | This is one reason why when called over the phone on Thursday afternoon with the request that I be one of the speakers to so to Sayre to take part in a flag raising that I accepted immedi- ately. I felt it distinct honor to have part on a patriotic programme among a people who had shown heroism in the face of storm and loyalty to their coun- try even though it meant sacrifice.
 
 l At o'clock c. A Dorsey rode up in Ford, accompanied by Messrs. Stewart and Waples. who had agreed to go with him to have a part in the exercises. We left in binding rain,' but ran out of | it before we had gone ten miles on our way. I thought I recognized the route we were travelling. although we got out of town in new way.
 
 got my bearings after leaving Pratt City, for just ahead of me I saw the famous sign, daily reminder that pro- hibition had wiped out the legalized sale ing me in the face. You will recall that a penalty was placed against advertis- ing the stuff in any way whatsoever, and obedient to the law the proprietor of the Sandusky saloon had caused the "oon'' to be struck out of saloon, and it now appears in bold letters, San dusky Sal" When I first saw it thought she must be very popular local belle to be played up in such glowing letters.
 From there on to Sayre I was aware that it was the route I travelled on that dreadfully bitter Sunday when it rained from daylight until night when I made the trip in taxi with friend Bowers out to Sipsey to dedicate a church, and to dine with MT. and Mrs. Milton Fies, and bring back with me the memory of q. charming couple who had made a real home in the midst of mining camp.
 At s:So we drove up to the office of the Sloss-S Sheffield company, before which had been erected a flag pole made 1 by men whose hearts beat in sympathy with Uncle Sam. We were cordially greeted by Superintendent J. D. Smith, who in spite of being sick was fighting it 
 he had worked hard to put over the different drives in the zone around Sayre l Gathered about the office and the com missary were groups of men, women and l children, just the kind of a crowd I like to talk to, and I couldn't help but think that if the oratory which has been spilled in the ballroom of the Tutwiler for the past year to practically the same crowd had been showered more widely over the district it would have done far more good by bringing all classes within touch with the war activities and within closer touch with one another which is the acid test by which this war is to be won. MT. Dorsey, acting as chairman, first introduced A. M Waples, who made a short, stirring talk. Next he presented w. T. Stewart, who fired the crowd with patriotic zeal. He then turned me loose on them, and as I am held down to four minutes in Birmingham, being a four minute speaker and being a bit shy on speaking time, tried to make up for it out under the blue of the heavens above and inspired by the loyalty of the groups about me.
 The hour came for the hoisting Of the flags. First the big American and serv- ice flag with 36 stars was fastened to the cord, below it great one with a flaming red cross, and under it came a smaller one with the Junior Red Cross. These flags were made by the loving hands of Mesdames Valentine, White and Dunn, and were beautifully done, and will fly in the breeze daily. witnessing to the fact that throughout America the hearts of women are beating true to the Stars and the Stripes.
 The signal was given to pull the cords, and the crowd stood tense as the flags climbed higher and higher, and when they reached the top and floated proudly in the wind, mighty shout went up, land then all stood at attention and after me repeated the pledge of loyalty, and there wasn't a man or women in the camp who was untouched by the simple ceremony, for at the close all joined in a fervent amen.
 I Every one in the community realized that the war had reached them, for the long arm of the Kaiser had come into their midst and the golden star in the ~x,s1J y>, ncfa mt ,for