Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-12-10
Big Day for Pershing in Co
Iumbia.

here today as General Pershing and
his staff paraded, escorted by the
three combined bands of Camp, Jack
son, troops of four regiments, officers
of the camp and prominent citizens
of Columbia.
The parade began at the Jefferson
Hotel. At the statehouse Governor
Cooper gave state reception in hon
or of General Pershing and his staff
and General Reade of Camp Jackson
and his staff.
Receiving with the governor were
state officials and prominent citizens
of the state.
Two thousand people passed
through the capitol and shook hands
with the A. E. F. commander.
This was one of the greatest days
Columbia ever witnessed. People
came to the city from all parts of the
state. Before the parade the chamber
of commerce rendered an eight
course luncheon to the visiting sol
diers, there being 800 prominent cit
izens sitting with the general, j. u.
Mot of Columbia, presided.
General Pershing spent the busiest
day he has yet had on his tour OF
military establishments, so stated Col
onel Marshall, his aide.
oThe general went to Camp jackson
at 9 o'clock today and reviewed the
troops in a grand parade. AS the dis
tinguished soldier entered the camp
gates an artillery salute was fired.
Kisses Little Girl.
At the conclusion of the review,
and as the commander was preparing
to take his automobile, hundreds of
civilians gathered around. He stoop-
ed to talk to group of small chill
dren. One thoughtful 5-year-old pin
ned some roses on his coat. The gen
eral took the little girl in his arms
and kissed her, and the hearts Of ad-
miring hundreds were touched. The
little girl was Elaine Wildrich, daugh
ter of Lieut.. Col. Wildrich of the
44th coast artillery.
General Pershing was asked by
newspaper men here today what ne
thought of Camp Jackson. He SAID
it was a fine camp, though he could
not express his official opinion until
he reports back to the war depart
ment. He was asked for an opinion
as to the Mexican situation. de sald
he would rather not talk about that
Presidency, ooh; Fudge"
General Pershing was then laugh
ingly asked, "What about the presl-
dency?" His reply was typically Per-
shing, "oh, fudgew General Fer
shing had kind word and a smile
for every man, woman and baby that
passed before him in the receptlon
line today.
Miss Halle Josey, of Columbia
who was Y. M. c. A. worker IN
France and who, on one occasion IN
+he war zone met the general at a re-
ception, greeted the general today
with, "I did all this for you once be-
fore in France, general" and the Oig
soldier replied, "Well, am mighty
glad to see you again." and MS smlie
was warm and jovial.
Following the State reception inns
afternoon General Pershing and ms
staff were the guests for few min.
nAes before leaving for Charleston OF
I'D. Mot, president of the Columbia
chamber of commerce, at MS resi-
dence.
General Pershing made a speech
from the statehouse steps on Denal1
IF tbe American Legion. He appealeo
+o the men of the legion to stand TO-
day for the principles they fought 10f
in France. ,r;,l
81 am as confident that you VIII
stand up under the responsibilities
nlaced upon you today" said the gen
eral. "as was that you would when
I ordered you into battle" Cheer al
ter cheer rang to heaven at the com,
mander's words, and people hockeu
about him to shake his hand, even
after he had left the capitol TO TAKE
the waiting automobile
Members of General Pershng
.+.e state that in to other town
81 tho general has been has ne
been given such reception.
He said he had not had such a
strenuous time anywhere else shak-
Lnds either but that he did TINS