The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-24

Thousands of persons in Broad and
Wall streets recognized him in the COM
mittee's automobile and crowded
around it, cheering for him so that 1t
was necessary for the policemen to
clear path for the car through to
Broadway At night Sergeant York was
the chief guest at a dinner of 1913 mem
bers Of the Tennessee society at Wal
dorf-Astoria hotel, at which generals
and admirals, members OF congress and
noted bankers united in his praise.
Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan, COM
mander OF the Eighty-second or "All
American" division Of which York, as
q q mel member Of Company G. s2sth in
a glowing tribute. He said:
This Is a very unique experience, in
deed. l have talked to soldiers a greta
deal, but this Is the first time in my
life I have been a guest to honor one.
It is an especial distinction to have on
Quoted US to Europe (Vice- Admiral AL
bert Gleaves) and on the other side to
be reflected in the glory of one of the
most distinguished soldiers the world
had produced. 4
His deeds are of the character that
60 down in history-upon which the
boys and girls Of our country are fed
to make them patriotic and In time Of
emergency to emulate the example
he set.
Praises Modesty.
Sergeant York is very unpreten-
tious soldier and an exceedingly modest
man. He had been awarded the distin-
suished service cross for being leader
Of party that brought in a number
Of German prisoners. officers and en-
listed men. One day an officer of my
staff IN and said 'Eava
ever cotton all the facts In this ex-
ploit of Sergeant York's?' I said | had
only the facts that were presented for
the granting Of the y. S. c. He con-
tinued, I have had occasion to look
them up, and In my opinion his was the
most outstanding example OF Individual
gallantry, not only in this war, but that
ever heard Of
$50 started an investigation, the
result of which was the award by the
president Of the congressional medal of
honor which had the honor Of placing
around his neck before we left France.
This is the only decoration worn
suspended from the neck by ribbon
And tell you that 1t is typical of the
| modesty Of this fine soldier that he has
II pinned along side another decoration
| instead.
"As to the facts Of Sergeant York's
exploit, they are. already In your pos
| session, as you have all read of them
! adequately In the public press and more
| specifically in the article by Mr., George
Pattulo in the Saturday Evening
| Post"
Gen. Duncan then related how the
| correspondent came back from Ger
many to France especially to get York's
story and how he was cautioned to
get every detail absolutely accurate,
as they must 60 down In history"
| Gen. Duncan continued
| "Sergt York is not only modest, he
Is absolutely unabashed, unafraid in
any society Of people, In the presence
Of any enemy. As you see him here
tonight. you would have seen him on
"It has remained for the Society of
Tennessee to establish precedent
which l pray will be followed forever
by other societies and people In giving
honors where they belong-to the man
who. carries gun and goes over the
Vice-Admiral Gleaves, who NJ head
Of the cruiser and transport force. said
that he "cons'1e 1ered 1t a privilege to
be here to do honor to this brave SOL
| dier from Tennessee who has on his
breast that badge Of nobility than which
| there is none greater In the world"
Admiral Gleaves is native OF Ten
nessee himself. He humorousy warned,
| Sergt. York that the batteries Of the
| Argonne and the batteries of the well
comes in New York are nothing COM
pared to what waits him in his home
state.
DR.. James ]. King, president OF the
| Tennessee society and toastmaster,
brought forth tremendous ovation
when he at last introduced the hero
Of the occasion as a speaker.
Facing the audience as bravely and
calmly as he faced the enemy that
day in October when he killed rs Ger
mans, put 3S machine guns out of COM
mission and took 132 boches prisoners
them, too, by his sincere gratitude ex-
| pressed In his mohnfaineer dialect
Ladies and gentlemen" he said, Il