The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-23
Meeting Held in Elks' Hall Last
Night to Wish Boys God
Speed on New Journey
in Life.
FRENCH OFFICERS APPEAR
Meeting Full of Good Cheer
and High Courage-Peo-
pie Make Soldiers Feel
Home Support.

One hundred and ten men for the
national army were cheered on their
mission last night at the Elks hall by
the speeches Of half q dozen of Keo-
ktlk's most prominent citizens and Of
ncers and by the spirit OF do or die
that pervaded the meeting. A goodly
soldiers God speed.
Music was furnished by the Com
munity band The newly made mem
bers of the national army entered the
hall in single file at 100 and almost
Immediately the program began. A.
Hollngsworth acted as chairman and
called for America" by the band as
the first number. The first speaker
on the program was Adrian Meyers.
Of Fl Madison, member Of the local
exemption board. He told the men
that he had had a great deal to do
with their going to the army and that
he wished that he could go with them.
but as that was impossible, he wished
them God speed and good luck.
Mayor Ed s. Lotion was then called
and In few pithy words expressed
his appreciation OF the sacrifice that
the boys were going to make and as
surred them that the city Of Keokuk,
Lee county, the state Of Iowa and the
United States were all behind them
and with them. He urged them to
have good time while they had the
opportunity and hoped that they
would experience no real hardships.
Reverend Newcomb OF the West
minister Presbyterian church filled the
next number on the program. He told
the boys that they had been especial
ly honored. Uncle Sam had said to
them Il want you" They were de-
serving of special privileges and that
they should take good care Of those
privileges. He told them that they
were the most representative body OF
young men in the country. They rep
resented all the people. He then said
a few words OF praise for the Elks
who had honored the soldiers by CIV
ing the use Of the hall for their enter
tainment and pointed out the fact
that the Elks had been the first to
honor the dead when the body Of Cor
poral Guy Clark Morris had arrived.
He said that he couldn't go and that
none Of his family could go in the
great cause. and therefore he wanted
the young men before him to go in his
place. He told them that they were
|gong out to fight for democracy and
humanity and that they were bound
70 win for they were fighting for the
right He said further that If there
We're no hell, he would ask God to
make one to put in some people who
oeiong there and nowhere else. He
ended by saying that the men would
come back better men for their sacri-
noes and that he wished them God
speed and good luck.
, Sheriff Scott was then called upon.
out had no sooner said that he had
|ueen called upon to fill up a vacancy
nan the arrival Of Leutenants Ber-
uohneau and Druart of the French
army was announced.
French Officers Present.
|, AS the lieutenants stepped through
. .ae door, the band struck up the
narseilieise," and the audience
sprang to its feet. The two officers
marched to the front Of the room
and deafening applause Quietly and
, s diffidently they took their
PAGES near the chairman and waited
'n'h the end of the Marseilleise. Mr..