The Princeton union., 1918-02-28
HONORINC OUR BOYS
Mile Lacs Soldier Boys and Friends
Are Handsomely Entertained
at the M. E. Church.
Major COwells of Canadian Forces Re.
lates His Personal Experience
in Interesting Talk.

Soldier boys from the south end of
the county, together with several from
Sherburne county, were guests OF
honor at the M. E. church last Thurs
day evening. The spacious dining
room in the basement of the church
was tastefully decorated with flags
and bunting for the occasion. After
a patriotic prayer by Rev. C. Larson
supper was announced. Tables we're
reserved for the soldier boys and their
parents in the center of the room and
every seat was filled. At each plate
was a neatly printed place card. An
excellent chicken supper with all the
Accomplishments was served by the
Ladies' Aid society, and was relished
by all who partook Of it.
The feature Of the exercises in the
church was an address by Sergeant
Major Cowells of the Canadian forces,
who had been severely wounded in
France and is now connected with the
British recruiting office in Minneap-
oils. The Major volunteered at the
commencement of the war and joined
a Toronto regiment. He is of slight
build and presents boyish appear.
ance, but he is made of the right stuff
and there is pep and fight in him yet.
In a plain, matter-of-fact way he
related his personal experience from
the drilling grounds at Valcartier in
Quebec to the battlefield of Ypres.
He crossed over with the first Cana
dan contingent Of $4,000 men which
sailed from Quebec in 1914, and
reached England without the loss of a
ship or man. It was the greatest
armada that ever sailed such a dis
tance with such large force of men
in the worlds history. Although born
lin England Major Cowells confessed
that he was somewhat prejudiced
against that country and it's people in
general, but after short sojourn
there and coming in contact with the
Tommies he has changed his mind. The
Tommies, he said, are good comrades
and splendid fighters, and to know
them is to love them. His descrip-
tion of France and the trenches was
quite realistic. Major Cowells has
an intense admiration for the French
people and entertains an exalted
opinion of the fighting abilities of the
French soldiers. He also admitted
that the Germans were good fighters,
but he saw so many evidences Of their
brutality that he had no love for
them. After being wounded at Ypres,
-&3ajor Cowells had hardly regained
consciousness when he reached an
English base hospital 48 hours later.
The hospital service Of the English he
said was most excellent, and no mat
ter how badly soldier was wounded
he had a splendid chance of pulling
through in an English hospital. Ma
jor Cowells' talk throughout was de-
cidedly interesting.
In behalf of the. w. C. T. u, with
a few appropriate remarks, Rev. c.
Larson presented each Of the boys
with copy of the new testament.
The music by the orchestra led by
Mr.. Skahen, and the singing by the
ladies' choir were appreciated by the
large audience and contributed not a
little to the evenings enjoyment.
Rev. James Geer and Mrs. Geer, and
the Ladies' Aid society, especially the
president of the society, Mrs. Fred
Scalberg, are entitled to much praise
r. the success of the "send-off" for
the boys.
Owing to the fact that the drafted
men were scattered over the coun-
ty it was impossible for them all to
be present, but the patriotic citizens of
Princeton would have been only too
clad to have entertained them all; as
it was, only 16 Of the boys could at
tend.
For the first time in his life R. c.
Dunn presided at church gathering
but he didn't preach-just talked a
little to the boys.
Treat Ministers Fairly.
D.oJ;rr Row Dr poo io11'c on