The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-08-02

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to Front and on Front street to the
depot large crowds packed the streets
and cheered Justify for the boys. Rain
and wet failed to keep down the spir-
it of the enthusiastic spectators who
shouted and cheered repeatedly for
the men and gave them most en-
thusiastic sendoff.
At the depot the band took their
places at the end of the platform and
played all during the storm while the
men were entraining. The home
guard company formed a picket line
tc keep the crowds back while the
men boarded the train. Just as the
men reached the coaches the rain
seemed to come down in torrents.
Laughingly running down the plat
form to their coaches the boys shout
ed "quack, quack, give us canoe"
Spectators took up the cheerful spirit
of the men and stood in the pouring
rain to bid the boys & last farewell
ERE the train pulled out.
Eleven coaches formed the long
troop train that bore the boys away,
with two large engines. AS warning
was given and the coaches moved
slowly away a. cheer went up, from
thousands of Threats that drowned the
noise of the storm aud carried a
message to the men that the folks
at home were firmly behind them. I'm
til the train disappeared around a
curve in the track the boys continued
to shout and wave from the open
windows.
Williams AS the "Dad."
Theodore Williams, representative
of the War Work council, accor1pan-
led the boys on thei- long journey.
Through the request made by the Y.
M. C. A. plenty Df magazines and peri
odicals were provided for the mel to
read. A full truckload was at the de-
pot to be loaded on the train and dis
tributed as soon as the journey
started.
Particular credit is due those or
CARNATIONS in Mankato who provided
dinner for the men from this and
other counties. In spite of the UNI
pleasant weathes the men were all
well handled and cared for through
the efficient work Of the canteen COM
mittee and members of the national
guard companies here. Boys from
the neighboring counties in the city
Wednesday and yesterday were all
heard to praise the hospitality shown
them and to express the highest regard
for the patriotic spirit displayed in
Mankato.
Members of Company C of the
home guards, the Second Regiment
band and officers of the National
guard companies were out in the rain
and wet until thoroughly soaked in
their efforts to marshal and take care
of the men. The members of the
band marched to the depot and con-
tinued playing on the platform while
the rain was coming down in verita-
bic sheets.
Vacancies Were Filled.
Several vacancies among the reg
ular men who left yesterday after
noon had to be filed by alternates.
Among these who responded and left
for camp at this time were: Laurence
Cornell, Corliss Grover, Michael
Connolly and Evan R. Hughes.
Abraham Kaufman and John Ander-
son were unable to leave with the
men yesterday and departed this
morning. They will arrive in camp
about day later than the regular
quota.
Herman Wagon, superintendent of
the Omaha road accompanied the
boys on their trip, as they left last
night and went as far as Chicago
with them. 1t is expected that the
men from Blue Earth and neighbor-
ing counties will arrive at Camp
Wadsworth, South Carolina on Sat
urday evening. The men who went
through here Wednesday evening
were expected to reach their destina-
tion this evening.