The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-11-12

opinion of the soldiers and their
guests.
Southeastern Lee County's GIFT.
The supper was the gift on the
,art of the women of southern Lee
county as their share or the home
coming celebration. Chickens were
solicited out through the county ana
in the city the Keokuk women baked
pies and donated jellies and rel
ishes. Miss Laura Alton had charge
of the supper arrangements.
Inyocations were pronounced at
the different dining halls by the ReV.
Huell Warren, Father Gillespie, the
Rev. J. Sterling Moore. There was
a member of the reception commit
tee at each of the dining rooms ana
. very brief welcoming addresses were
made at each. Miss Alton who mas
charge of the Red Cross home serv-
ice work, was present at the request
of Chairman Scott and briefly wei
coined the men and their guests. Mr.,
Scott who was exemption board
f! chairman for the county, added MS
word of greeting, too.
! Danced All over Town.
j Following the supper there was
dancing, and the crowd danced in
pretty nearly every hall in town.
/ Overflow crowds had to be accommo-
dated everywhere, and orchestras
were recruited from tneaters, other
orchestras and heaven only knows
where. but they came and played,
and played splendid programs IN
every hall, where the crowd was. IL
surely was just what the soldiers
song says, THE gangs all here"
The first two halls opened, the Ma
sonic and Woodman, had an overflow
crowd in a few minutes. The Elks
club was opened next, and when this
was overcrowded the bunch went to
the Keokuk club.
The Same Old "Pep."
Marching along with that swing
which characterizes American SOL
diers. close to a thousand white and
colored former service men swung
out Main street, eight abreast, sing
ing Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here"
and Its Long, Long Trail a Wind
ing" the two most popular songs to
march to over there. All of the rough
humor of the old time marches came
TO the front some time during the
parade, and barring the packs and
guns, one could almost imagine a
practice hike or journey overland
in France, that is if he judged solely
by the comments OF his neighbors.
The parade was headed by Sam q.
Westcott carrying large American
flag, and a color guard composed
of Ben p Moody and Frank Barbour.
The second coiors, those heading the
soldiers, were carried by Alvin
Kraft. Behind the colors, rode Miss
Laura Alton on Teddy" This makes
the third parade that she has head
ed The soldiers contingent was in
charge Of Captain Edward Chase, old
Company LIS commander. Major
Hollowen OF Fort Madison, was the
ranking line officer, but being stran-
ger here, ASKED the committee to put
Captai9 Chase in command. Officers
for he first section, followed by
tht ldiers marching in double
c us .a of squads.
People lined the streets and cheer
cd, or stood silently yet thankfully as
the boys passed. Only a few hats
were DOTTED as the flag passed by.
Decorated Floats.
-Four floats brought up the rear OF
the parade The nurses of st. Joseph
and Graham hospital RODE in one OF
them, a motor truck deliberately dec
GRATED in flags and red, white and
blue bunting.
The girls from the Iowa Can Co
were in the second decorated auto
truck which also displayed the ma
tiCnal colors The girls were dressed
in white dresses and caps and car.
ried whistles which they blew at fire.
quent intervals.
The high school folks were in it,
too, with seven cars, filled with some
football rooters who had lots of pep
for class yells. These machines were
dressed up in the high scnool purple
and white as well as other bright
colors.
One of the perttiest floats
was that of the Girl Scouts
covered with profusion of
autumn leaves. with the girls clad
in their scout costumes and Red
Cross dresses. Some of them carried
their Red Cross banners, and they
also had their scout badge of honor.
Everyone Enjoyed Himself
The parade which was planned by
Chairman c. S. Abel, moved to the
minute Of the time announced, 4:3O
o'clock, and was planned and carried
out in the same efficient manner that
all Of Mr.. Abell's parades are.
Credit for the success OF the affair
must go to the entire committee.
Everyone seemed to have a good
time and the visitors from Fort Madi-
son expressed themselves as being