The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1918-07-25
Draft Boys
Have Gone

WahpetOn citizens and others from
this county, including, parents, rela-
tives, and friends, Joined hands Mon.
day and Tuesday in giving the 1877
young men of the July contingent Sc
lective draft from Richland county
fitting farewell to help make the send
off one that would long be remembered
by the young men who are joining the
army to help make the world safe for
democracy.
&h3 parade was formed as follows:
Wa seton reserve band, the Wahpe-
ton reserve company and the drafted
men. Thesband joined the reserve COM
pany ut the corner Of Sixth street and
Dakota avenue and marched to the
corner OF 4th street. down Dakota ave-
nue. and turning north one block and
then west another block, were joined
at the corner of 9TH street and Wiscon.
sin avenue by the Sclectivc service
men, gathered there ut the southwest
corner Of the courthouse block.
From this place the parade marched
one block south and then marc.lings
eastward on Dakota avenue to the
bridge turned and came back to the
opera house; where the guests Of honor
were treatedpy Manager Brown to the
film spectacle, Pershing's Crusaders.
While the drafted men were filing into
the opera house, the band played and
the Reserve company stood at attcn-
tion. While the draft men were being
entertained the Reserve company and
band were dismissed until nine thirty
when the draft men were escorted to
the armory by the reserve company,
but now lead by the FairmOunt band.
At the armOry the boys were treated
to spread by the Reserve company
and fifteen minute talk by, Rev.
Walton Of the Episcopal church. After
this Mrs. Barber for the Richland Co.
branch Of the American Red Cross pre-.
sented each man Of the 167 with IL COM
fort kit.
All down the line Of march the sold
diers, the bands and the men in the
selective draft were greeted with lib
eral applause. Favorable comment was
heard everywhere Oh the splendid ap-
pearance of the different organizations,
and the impression prevailed that
these men from Richland county would
give good account Of themselves when
sent to join the armies now on the
battle front preserving the national
honor.
After the banquet ut the :rmory the
Eairmount band gave Il splendid COIL
cert OH a band stand erected for the
occasion, between sixth and seventh
street Oh the pavement.
After the band concert, the Hon. w.
Il. Purcell, after being introduced by
Assistant States Attorney LOunsbury,
captain Of the reserve company, dedi-
Gated the Richland county service flag
Of 721 individuals gone to war.
The pavement between Sixth and
Seventh street has been swept clean
and after the dedication speech dane
ing on tn pavement was enjoyed BY
nearly 1000 couples, who did the light
fantastic to the Jazz music dispensed
by the Reserve band for almost two
hours and half.
It was the largest crowd ever a.
semble In Wahpet0n to do homage TO
the draft boys and it was the largest
contingent Of these men sent so far to
the training camps. Nearly 1000 Wis
itors dotted Dakota avenue and around
the court house and armOry.
Tuesday morning at 10 30 this con-
tingent left for Camp Custer, near
Battle Greek, Mich, and again visitors,
parents, brothers, sisters and relatives
and friends fro lalover mshrdlu eao
and friends, parents and relatives Of
all sorts, came to bid them their last
farewell and wish them God speed OH
their journey to the battle fields of
France, no doubt Germany. when they
arrive, but they got to do and they will
do it to the satisfaction Of all the
! world.