The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-23
NEBRASKA DAY
A joyful Occasion for the
COrnhuSkerS.
Reports Covering Different
Phases of the Events.
BY sERGr. c. r. SHELLEY.

the completion and dedication of the
Nebraska Recreation hall, which is
situated on the parade grounds just
opposite the Arcade building, where
it is readily accessible to Nebraska
soldiers.
Home folks eagerly accepted the
invitations sent to them to attend this
dedicatory program and scores of
fathers, mothers, wives, brothers, sis
tiers and sweethearts mingled with
the soldiers, marveled at the review
on the parade grounds in the morn
ing, enjoyed the program in the beau
tiful new building in the afternoon
and were permitted to eat with the
soldiers and see how and what they
eat.
The carefully arranged program
began at 10 o'clock in the morning
with a review of the 314th ammuni-
ton trains by Hon. Keith Neville,
governor of Nebraska, and his party
consisting of his secretary, Lee Met
calf; Brig. Gen. H. E. Clapp of Fair
bury, Neb.; Hon George Coupeland.
Gil of Defense: Judge Martin of Cen
trail City. Neb.; Editor Ross Ham
mond of the Fremont Nebraska
Tribune, and C. ]. Carlow of Column
bus, Neb.
The party then went to the home
of Lieutenant Colonel Tilford at Fort
Riley where a 1890 o'clock luncheon
was served complimentary to the gov
ernor.
The afternoon program began at
2:30, and every seat in the new re-
creation hall, with its seating capac-
ity of 1000. was filled. Lieutenant
Colonel Tilford acted as master OF
ceremonies and introduced rather
walton. The Regimental band, which
is financed by the members of the
train. rendered a selection
Lieutenant Colonel Tilford then in
troduced Hon. George Coupeland-
Thru his work as a member of the
Nebraska Council. of Defense he was
enabled to talk to the men in khaki
as father. He tod them what the
people of Nebraska were doing for
them and of the confidence they had
imposed upon them, he also pledged
the support of that state to her sons
in the service whether at, home or on
foreign soil.
Hugo Dcderickson of Omaha, Neb.,
sang a baritone solo and was forced
to respond to numerous encores.
Here something happened that the
audience did not find on their printed
programs Captain McPheeders, com
mander of Motor Company A, in
few well chosen words, in behalf OF
the officers and enlisted men of the
ammunition trains, presented Lieu
and blanket. For it was he who first
conceived the idea of erecting this
building and then engineered 1t to Its
successful con. pletion.
A chorus of picked vocalists from
the ammunition trains entertained the
audience with a selection, after which
Lieut.. Col. Tilford introduced the
main speaker of the afternoon, Gov
ernor Neville of Nebraska. The gov
ernor clearly defined the meaning of
the word patriotism and told how
the state of Nebraska had uncon
sciously allowed bills to be passed and
conditions to exist, the folly of which
had been made clear by the present
war, but which would take years to
overcome. How foreign languages
had been taught in our public schools,
how German schools and German
churches had been permitted to spring
up over the entire state, and, he add
ed, You cannot teach a child to rev.
erence the Stars and Stripes by teach
ing him to sing Die Yacht Am
Rhein.''' He also told the soldiers
what the people at home were doing
for them in a legislative way, how
bills were beng drafted to grant them
suffrage, and urged them, while in the
service of Uncle Sam to pay particu-
lar attention to the machinery of the
government, with a partial promise
that in the near future they would be
permitted to participate in their To-
cal, state and national elections
After the band had played THE Star
Spangled Banner" while a large flag
was being unfurled from the back of
the stage, Secretary E. B. Plat pro-
nounced the benediction and dis
missed the audience.
That evening at 7:30 in the dining
hail of Company F the officers of the
Ammunition trains banqueted the
speakers and their guests from abroad d.
Covers were laid for seventy-five and
while the five-courSe banquet was be-
ing served music was furnished by the
Regimental band. Lieutenant Colonel
troduceG the following coasters and
toasts: Brigadier General VIM,
Army" Governor Neville. Ne
braska;" General O'Meara, Missouri"
Lieut.. F. T. Manning, first neuten-
ant of Compan~ F. first advanced the
idea of building a recreation building
and gymnasium for the Ammunition
trains, as the plans for this building
progressed it was decided to make it
a Nebraska building and Sergeants
Mizera, Hawk and Martin were sent
to Nebraska to raise funds to build
this building. AS soon as sufficient
money had been pledged about 100
carpenters were employed and with
the assistance of details from the Am
munition trains they were able to COM
plete the building in about ten DAYS.
The new building is 60x129 feet in
dimensions and the large auditorium
and balcony will seat 1000 people
There are two parlors where soldiers
may entertain their lady friends These
are made coy by two large fireplaces.
There is a commodious concert stage
with two dressing rooms and in the
rear is a second floor section, or bal
cony, to be used as smoking and read
ing club room for the men
A number of the officers and men
in the train claim st. Louis as their
home, and. wishing to do their bit.
secured donations of $1,000 from that
CITY which will be used to equip the
gyn1a SUM.
While the 314th Ammunition trains
has taken the initiative in the plan
ming and construction of the building
it was built with Nebraska money and
it is the sincere hope of the members