The citizen., 1919-05-08
SOLDIERS BANQUET AT NARROW
GAP
May 8, 1919

soldiers. Those who know Narrow
Gap and its people will not be sur
prised to learn that they have led
off in this as in many other i'm
portanl activities.
A long table was spread in the
main room Of the school building
and the banqueters sat down at five
o'clock. AT the head sat the Rev.
Howard Hudson who acted, under
Miss Fox, as Master of Ceremonies.
At his right and left for half the
length Of the table sat the veterans
Of the World War in khaki and
blue and reserved modesty. Next in
order were the representatives of
the Red Cross, Professors Baird and
Dix of Berea College, Veterans Of
the Spanish War occupied the
middle section of the long table and
at the post Of honor at the other
end Of the table were veterans OF
the Civil War.
Mr.. Hudson spoke on the subject.
"Our Fighting Men" and Professor
Dix on "fhe Frontiers of Freedom"
Both eulogized the gallant soldiers
of all our wars, wars fought in every
instance for the cause Of liberty.
The banquet was delightful. It
was that old fashioned home cooking
that delights the appetite and warns
( the soul. From the chicken and
boiled ham at the beginning TO the
ice cream and cake at the close
there was nothing lacking 10 make
il perfect. Beautiful girls. taught
/ by their mothers and Miss Fox,
served with grace and efficiency.
Good cheer and the joy that comes
from having served we'll pervaded
the company.
After justice had been done TO the
good things on the table, the ban
queters adjourned TO, the yard where
an hour was spent in sociability.
The soldiers Of the World War and
/ the Spanish War soen formed a
company and drilled under the COM
mand first of J. II. Hack Wilson
and later Alvin Fox and still later
Neal Robinson. To the citizens who
know only from hearsay of wars
and armies, this drilling (which was
exceedingly well done, involving in
tricate maneuvers) was a revelation.
Then with a spear from the Philip
pine Islands and swords that were
used in the Civil War there werc
exhibitions Of fencing and sword
play as we'll bayonet exercises.
From time TO time veterans of the
older wars related deeds of arms
which they had witnessed or ex-
perienced. Neal Robinson told the
tale Of his fight with a Moro in the
Philippines when he won a medal
for bravery and good judgment.
Neal disclaimed any merit Of his
own. But the story is thriller just
the same. Uncle Curt Kelly and Jim
Gabbard recalled the days Of their
military exploits at Lookout Noun
tain and Missionary Ridge. They
charged again the lines that
were held by the gallant Rebels"
went through water and fire and
blood and came out victorious, as
they did in the sixties. But per-
haps the most thrilling of all were
the deeds that we knew the World
War soldiers had witnessed and
performed but were, too modest to
relate.
After a while the lamps were
lighted and, inside the house, the
evening was spent in a program on
War Reconstruction. Mr.. Hudson
gave the welcome address which
was responded TO by Lloyd Rackley
Of the Navy. Lloyd told the story
Of the Battle of the Great Lakes
where men died of influenza and
were shipped away in car loads.
Speeches were made by Professors
Dix and Baird. Professor Dodge,
venerable for his service both in
war and speech, delivered a message
of eloquence and power. Uncle
James Gabbard sang a number Of
Civil War songs, "The Year of Jubi-
lCw," That's What Grieves My |
Heart SO" and other songs. Every
body sang the modern war songs,
Keep the Home Fires Burning
THE Long, Long Trail" and many
others. Tom Dees played the banjo
to the great admiration Of every
body.
Presiding over all, the life OF the
occasion and its inspiration, was
Miss Adelia Fox. She drew out
from those present, contributions TO
the pleasure of the occasion which
perhaps nobody else could have
reached. The spirit Of the day was
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