The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1918-09-26
Pays High Tribute
to Rev. Van Keuren


Mrs. Eta Laughlin OF $50 Pike ave
nue.. is in receipt of letter from her
daughter, Betty, who has been en-
gagged in hospital and refugee service
in France for nearly two years, IN
which she pays high tribute to the
skill and heroism of Rev. Floyd Van
Keuren. former rector of Christ Epis-
copal church, in supervising the evac-
uation of Amiens by the civil popula-
ton at the time of the big German
drive last sprint. She says:
Mother Dear-Quite the best, tru-
est and real newspaper article you
have sent me for some time was the
one about Rev. Mr.. Van Keuren of
Canon City In leading the retreat from
Amiens when the Germans made their
great thrust towards Paris, he per-
formed a wonderful service. That
was great. The clipping didn't tell
half the greatness of it. Reading be-
tween the lines OF the article and,
knowing what l know. they were he
roes every one of them. We got most
Of the refugees. and if you could only
hear how they speak of the Americans
it would be very gratifying TO you.
They simply idolize them. But this
minister of the gospel. He is a real
man, ard | am familiar enough with
DIR. Devine. head of the refugee bu-
reau, to know what qualities he picks
out 10 send 10 such places as Amiens
al such a time. That's where events
have been happening. thick and fast.
every spring since the war began. The
city has been lost and retaken: lost
and retaken several times. Continu-
ally under shell fire the inhabintants
have had an awful experience OF war.
| know the type of refugees the au-
rhorities have had 10 deal with. Many
of them are old. infirm. strongly at
tached to their homes and terribly diff
ficult TO move. even in the time of
greatest danger, and the organization
for the evacuation of Amiens was.
without doubt, one of great efficiency.
people. Canon City ought TO be
proud of Rev. Mr.. Van Keuren. and
that's no exaggeration. He was so
very modest in his letter to one who
knows. because during the evacuation
OF the city 1T was constantly under the
shell fire of the enemy's gins and was
left practically in ruins
Imagine, il you can, the removal
of old ladies, some of them 50. 81 and
80 years of age, and old and infirm
men, loatbe TO leave their homes, and
kiddies to place of safety under
such conditions and in such haste, and
you simply cannot hurry them. They
always want to go back for an UNI
breila, or some article Of clothing, or
treasure in spite of the danger in do
ing so. You cant make them realize
the peril OF the situation, or, that they
are retarding the evacuation. thereby
endangering the lives OF others.
"We,l, enough Of this. but glory TO
Rev. Mr., Van Keuran. God bless him
and his stan OF workers of the Red
Cross. Wish they were all as cffi-
cient and as modest in their proclama-
tions Of their achievements.
''The Americans in France have
been wonderful. Everybody is full OF
praise, and, from the looks OF things.
i think another year will gee the end
of this dreadful conflict. do. hope
SO. We are all getting so fed up with
it all. You people at home have
been wonderful also. Your Canon
City Red Cross auxiliary is doing such
splendid work.
Thanks for the newspaper clippings.
I had thought OF coming home this
winter. but am bit undecided about
Il as ! am 30 awfully needed here. I
simply cannot leave my blind. They
need 80 much. just despair at
times. Hope 1t won't belong until II
am at home with you again.