The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-24
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

 1 trained.
 ] I never cease to marvel at the patience and ability Of Pepperman, who has the task of looking after the infinite num- Der of details which are involved in the matter of handling them properly uncer the government regulation.
 I never go to the park, it makes no diff ference whether white or colored soldiers are being checked, unless I find Harry Jones, Joe Rosenberger, John Yeatman and Louis Gelders. There are quite few others who work faithfully, but these are the big four always on hand. l At the Rotary club luncheon, Joe Rosen- berger asked for IS volunteers to aid in getting off the drafted men on Thurs day. It means at least five hours of hot and tedious work, and yet the first to ] respond was President Ed Andrews. Then came well known men like Messrs. Don- nelly. Moore. sibley, Phillips and lot of husky young fellows. | had convention to attend and got up 8 little before noon, and found that the work was practically completed, and that | the workers were taking it easy, await l ing the serving of the lunches, which IS men,
 | Now, the feeding of thousand men is no little undertaking Just as the boxes containing the lunches were being given out, I spied Fred Shireman out in the ! midst of one of the groups, and I sang out. Fred is it a Tutwiler affair."" and he 1aughingly answered, "Yes, Frank" 1 Then replied, May the Lord have mer- cy on them.''
 l Then came the distribution of 1000 testa- | ments, the gift of the Booker Washing ton Red Cross chapter. They were passed around by the members of the order, | large number being present to look after the wants of the men and to inspire them with their presence. From first handed knowledge I wish to commend the work of the faithful body of colored women who have been active ever since the be- ginning of the war;
 l little time was left for speaking, and l w. B. Driver, one of the four minute tmen, made stirring talk and introduced 1 pr. Boyd, one of the we'll known colored then called upon and greatly enjoyed the I glad hand given me as I tried to send them off with a word of cheer and com mendation.
 I was glad to see so many prominent white citizens present. and particularly to note the presence of some of the Red Cross workers. I looked about and on the stand and mingling in the crowd were the leading colored preachers, doctors. editors, lawyers and business men. They seemed mighty proud of the showing be- ing made by their race.
 But was more interested in .ne I fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives q and sweethearts, and relatives of the SC lectmen. Thousands from all parts of the county had come to Birmingham to see their loved ones off. I marched through a long line Of anxious faces. as I wended my way to the park from the Tutwiler. On reaching the park I found it full to overflowing. It seems to me that every negro in the county had quit work and come to say farewell to the colored boys who were going over there" It was nat ural and right that they should have come, and come they did, and how pa tient they were as they stood in the hot, broiling sur just to get glimpse of the men as they filed by en route to the Ter minal station
 did not follow them to the station, for I have been several times, and the parting scenes got on my nerves, for when the average negro mother, wife, or sweetheart weeps, it's like the crying of child, open and unashameu, and theIe- fore heart~breaking. I have witnessed all the farewells I care to see,. though l II should live hundred years
 In the vast throng on the streets ana in the park every type of the negro could be seen. I saw some ex-slaves proudly carrying Old Glory, and I witnessed lit- tie children waving the Stars and Stripes in childish glee. It was a good natured but subdued assemblage, which had gath. cred not out of curiosity or for holiday. but for sad and serious leave taking.
 
 Sure, their was laughter, and whole , lot of good natured joshing. for the negro is so happily constituted that the bright side is generally up and he refuses tc be down-hearted for long at time. Be- , ing so emotional. I was glad that none of the speakers attempted to play on their emotions, but all spoke optimistica.- ly and tried to nerve them for the task which lay before them.
 Joe Rosenberger told me that one Of the drafted men came up to him and said
 .Capn, please check me up and git me away from here and out of town as quicl as you can. for I had to give my wife . the slip, and believe me, Mir. Man, had ruther face the Kaiser and the whole German army than to have my ole wom , an get her hands on me-"
 
 think the negroes of Jefferson county i, have shown their patriotism in man, ways Hundreds of them volunteered. ant |