Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-06-27
ONLY ONE FAILS TO ARRIVE
Walter Erickson of Burgdorf Is Called
9 But Doesn't Respond to Order
For Service.

X ARRIVING with them the best
" wishes, the hopes and the pray
ers of the people of Idaho county, 100
more of Idaho county's stalwart sons
who have entered the military service
departed Friday morning of this week
for Camp Lewis, at American Lake,
Wn, where they will receive training
preparatory to sailing overseas to join
that rapidly increasing throng of armed
Americans who are fighting that demo-
cracy shall never die.
Happy, carefree and eager to get
into battle, to do their part toward
winning the war, the lads-clerks, farm
ers, cowpunchers, miners-were given a
last farewell at the railroad station by
a crowd estimated at 600 persons, who
had gathered from all parts of Idaho
county. Fathers, mothers, brothers,
sisters, wives, sweethearts, aunts,
uncles, grandparents and friends were
at the station, and as the train pulled
out, numerous and voeiferous shouts of
farewell went up from the laughing
boys, while those who remained at home,
in more solemn vein, called out to ono
and to all, fond goodbye and God
bless-you.
Touching Scene at Station.
1t was a touching scene as the boys
left. Fully conscious of the seriousness
of the work which lay before them,
and perhaps feeling that some of them
would never again lay eyes on the fer
tile fields of Camas Prairie, the boys
nevertheless were not downhearted, and
their splendid happy-g o-lueky spirit did
much to make the scene far from de-
pressing. They knew that they had
big work to perform. They were re-
, solved to do their utmost, that they
might be a lasting credit to the people
of Idaho county from whom they
sprung.
If the recruits were possessed with
heartaches-and it is quite likely that
they were-they succeeded admirably
in concealing their feelings, but many
of those who remained behind evidenced
emotion. Yet, they did not want the
boys to stay at home. Their time had
come, and they should go. Their coun-
try had called them, many from the
grain fields, and harvest time is near.
But their country felt that is was more
necessary that they go to war, and let
older men harvest the crops. The out
stretched finger of duty pointed the
way; it was but theirs to follow, and
not to divert from the trail until an
overwhelming victory has been won for
America and for democracy, when they
will return, covered with glory for their
country and themselves.
Some Alternates Taken.
Gathering in Grangeville during the
week, the boys who were called to en-
train aud the alternates, with one ex-
ception, were at the office Of the local
draft board Thursday morning. Several
in the call were excused from service
at the present time for reasons deemed
adequate, and alternates were called
upon to take their places.
Everything possible was done by the
people of Grangeville to make the boys
last day here a most pleasant one. A
band concert in which participated the
Grangeville Cowboy band and members
of the Ferdinand and Cottonwood bands,
was held Thursday evening, previous to
speaking, at the foot of the county flag
pole, by Lieut.. Gov. E. L. Parker, of
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