The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-05
FRENCH HEROES
ENJOYED kE0kUk
Say It is a Nice City and Appreciate
Beauties Of Mississippi River
from the Bluff
Here.
AT ELKs CLUB HOUSE
One of the Wounded and Decorated
Musicians Holds Little Recep-
tion Of His Own During
the Concert
AT ELKs CLUB HOUSE

! The French veterans of the band
said they like Keokuk. Aside from the
honors paid them on every hand, they
/ were of much interest to many Keokuk
people.
Only one or two of them speak a
little English, but they have the art
CT expression highly developed, so that
even those Keokuk people who know
no French could have a nice visit with
members of the band
In the afternoon, they were driven
in automobiles all over the city and
some Of the surrounding country.
"Eet is nice citee, fine citee,"
said one Of them in an appreciat1ye
tone after the concert last evening.
re Mississip reever, eet is beauti-
full; like re Rhine. yes, but lar-r-rger
wide, much lar-r-rger; eet is beautiful
said another.
Enjoyed Eiks' Club.
One of the musicians admitted that
it is hard work travelling as rapidly
as the band does in its continual tour
of the United States, but he added
quickly that they enjoy it and have a
good time.
Just then he was sitting at table
in the dining room of the Elks' club
with distinctiyely French menu be-
fore him, all of them seemed to APP
preciate, too.
The Elks extended the privilege oil
their club to the heroes of the band
after the concert. Most of them seized
cues as soon as they entered the game
room and began to play billiards and
pool. Members OF the Elks had an
interesting visit from the French vet
Grams, all of whom were wounded and
several Of whom wore the Croix de
Guerre, one with two stars for addi-
tional citations for bravery.
Unusual Experiences Here.
1t developed that the experience Of
hearing another band was unique here
as elsewhere the bands 10 not care
tc play before the artists of France.
The Keokuk Concert band is sure
enough of its own quality to play the
parade which welcomed the French
veteran band 10 Keokuk A French
man said the Keokuk band is very
good one.
They remained at the Elks' club until
after midnight They were just being
escorted down stairs to the dining
room when the lights all went out,
and the sudden darkness lasting for
minute required lot of language
to explain to the musicians as g GUS
tom of the Elks' order, but it was fin
ally accomplished by the aid of some
returned soldiers and Emil F. Remand.
Hero Is Appreciated.
During the concert. one of the heroes
CT Verdun held little reception Of
lis own on the sidewalk near the stage
door, when he had a rest.
A large bevy of high school girls had
him surrounded and were diligently
and ardously trying to find out things
about the world war and the French
people.
Glow funny that he can't understand
u.s." remarked one of the girls in the
middle of the ierky conversation. At
the same time, the French hero was
learning some English by trading
French words for the equivalent in
English.
The girls worked out that he had
been wounded by shell fire at Verdun
in each leg, in the finger and in the
ear, and there was chorus Of "Ah, .
as he pointed out the wound On the
side of his head and his misshapen