Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-05-23
SOLDIER FROM THE
TRENCHES in CITY
Young Man Who Saw Service ON the
Firing Line i'm France Gives
Audubon County People An
Interesting Talk


were treated to a spicy and snappy
story of trench, warfare last Friday
Afternoon when Private Robt. Mont
gomery of Stuart, came to this city
to tell the people what was going ON
in France and incidentally to help
boost for the Red Cross drive that
was to follow in few days.
Private Montgomery together with
two comrades were sent back from
France about month ago to tell
the people of the United States how
badly the united support of every
person at home was needed to help
make the work of the boys in the
trenches effective. They arrived in
New York in time to make speeches
for the Third Liberty Loan and lat
er wound up the campaign with a
few rousing speeches in Chicago.
The young soldiers were then sent
TO their homes for short visit with
their parents and loved ones. Pri-
vate Montgomery lives at Stuart,
and when arrangements were COM
pleted for his trip TO Audubon
party composed of W. G. Wilson, ID.
L. Freeman. Ed Johnson and H. j.
Hoogenakker were delegated to
left early Friday morning and were
scheduled TO leave Stuart at noon.
About eleven o'clock it began to
rain and the party was compelled to
wait short time to make it safe to
start homeward. Arrangements had
also been previously made for Pri-
vate Montgomery to stop at Adair
for twenty minute talk The Slip
perry condition of the roads made it
impossible to get into Adair on time.
However, shortly after one O'Clock
he made his talk and was greeted by
a large and enthusiastic audience.
There was no rain between Adair
and Audubon so the speaker reached
here a few minutes after three
O'Clock, which was the time set for
the meeting
1t was after noon on Thursday
when it was learned here that the
soldier boy was available for Friday
afternoon. And as that was the
only possible time he could be SCI
cured it was decided to give the
matter as much publicity as posi-
BILE. Last weeks Republican con-
tanned notice of his speaking here
but many did not get the paper until
noon Friday so il was not advertised
as well as it would have been if we
had been given more time. 1t was
gratifying, however on arriving at
the park to see no less than 1900
persons waiting to hear the speaker.
When Private Montgomery got out
of his automobile he was given a
hearty reception. When he mounted
the stand in the park, the applause
that greeted. him was such as gave
unmistakable evidence that the peo-
pie of Audubon county were with
him to a man.
Rev Ed b. Cousins acted as pre-
siding officer He called on Rev.
Mack, who after making a short
patriotic talk, introduced Private
Robert Montgomery. The young SOL
der lad was full of pep and launched
into his subject with enthusiasm.
He told the large crowd how well
the American soldiers were being
treated, how they had everything
they wanted to eat and that it was
only occasionally when they were do
ing duty in the trenches that meals
were not served on time. At all
times the soldier has what he needs
and what he wants This was good
news to the many fathers and moth
ers who have sons on the firing line.
Montgomery had scarcely started
his main speech when it began to
rain and it was necessary to adjourn
to the Presbyterian church. The
church proved inadequate to accom-
modate the large throng that sought
admission. The building was pack
ed and each one waited eagerly to-
hear cheering words from the lips Of
the soldier who had been in No Mans
Land and Over the Top.
Among the paraphernalia he car
ried was a steel helmet. as a protec--
ton against shrapnel and a gas mask
as life preserver. Both of these he
put on to show the people how .
fighting man in the trenches looked.
Private Montgomery devoted the
main part of his talk to the Red
Cross and what that splendid organ
ization meant to all of the soldiers.
He told in glowing terms Of the man
ner in which wounded soldiers were
cared for. how the civilian popula-
ton of France and Belgium were
being cared for. and how the nurses
were idolized by all. He stated how
many an American soldiers life was
saved by the quick and active work
of the Red Cross. After his thrilling
story was told people were convince
ed that Red Cross workers were in
great danger and it was easily seen
that their lives were in jeopardy az
well as those of the men in uniform.
He said the suffering and devasta-
ton in France and Belgium was
something terrible. More than 1909
cities and towns had been totally de-
stroyed by the Huns. Publicly he
said very little about the atrocities
committed by the Germans. but priv
vately he recited stories that were all
nose unbelievable for their bar-
bariousness and cruelty.
Audubon people deemed it a dis
tinct pleasure to be permitted to hear
Private Montgomery and their only
regret was that he could not have
remained longer with us.
The band was out in full force and
rendered number of patriotic Sc
lections. A number of singers were
also on the platform with the speak,
ers and led in singing America, in
which the great crowd joined heart
lily.
here to take Private Montgomery to
that city for night meeting. A
number from here went as far as
Extra where he stopped and made q
short talk.
The thing that made Private Mont
gomery's visit TO Audubon all the
more pleasing was the fact that he
knew number OF the boys from
Audubon now in France He knew
Kit Lane very well and made It q
noipt IN saa hiS fathar ~ n lana
one OF the owners of the Audubon
Nr L..