The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-05-01
SOLDIERS WELCOME A
BIG DAY IN CHESTERFIELD

the Courthouse yesterday was grea
occasion. Despite lowering clouds
the crowds came to Chesterfield, ane
by eleven o'clock, when the exercis
. es were commenced, the COURTEOUS,
was packed with the soldiers and thcil
friends, who had gathered to extend
to them hearty welcome.
BY some chance the band from
Camp Jackson that was promised
did not come, and instead soldiers
Red Cross glee club was sent. These
boys sang song after song and played
many selections, TO the delight Of the
audience.
The exercises were opened by Sem
ator G. K. Laney, who extended tn
the soldiers heartfelt welcome and
took occasion to recite some Of their
great achievements in the world war
for humanity. The next speaker was
Mr.. Arthur CASTOR, chairman of the
Fifth District Liberty Loan Commit
tee, who made an appeal to the people
to finish the job, to subscribe to .hc
final, the Fifth, the Victory Loan
Following Mr.. CASTOR, Major w. L..
Gillespie, of Cheraw, made an inter
csting talk on what the men OF the
11Sth Infantry accomplished
The principal address of the day
was delivered by Capt. Lyons, the
chaplain of the 11Sth Infantry, who
paid beautiful tribute to the boys
who made the supreme sacrifice in
France and he exhibited the flag that
was used at the burial of the boys
who gave their all for liberty. Cant.
Lyons made stirring appeal TO the
audience to continue to support their
government by buying bonds of the
Victory Loan.
After the speaking the ladies of
Chesterfield and community invited
The soldiers to eat at the finest feast
that was ever put before hungry
nan. More than hundred baskets
had been provided by the ladies of
Chesterfield and the surrounding
community. The dinner was spread
IN the Courthouse instead of in the
grove at the school house, on account
IF the weather.
About two hundred soldiers, in
c!uding the Confederate Veterans
we're present and enjoyed the fine
dinner provided by these ladies. And
:uch a dinner! The finest that Ches-
terfield county could produce was
spread before her heroes. After the
soldiers had been fed the entire
crowd was invited to partake of the
oountiful spread. Then when all in
sight had eaten, all the colored boys
that could be found wearing the khaki
we're called up and given liberal
BOXES of good things to eat. After
that ways and means were devised to
send out supplies to all the poor and
needy of the community, and still
there was food to spare.
After all those present had been
served the young ladies held recep-
tion and dance in the courtroom in
honor of the soldier guests. Dclici-
Gus ice cream, the gift of Mr.. P. J.
Iounis, was served at this time. The
committee gave to the soldiers 200
cigars, 25O packs of cigarettes, "a
dozen bottles Of Coco Cola. A hevy
of charming young girls went through
he throng giving to the soldiers de-
iicious homemade candy. Vocal Sc
.ections were rendered by Mrs. Full
mer and Miss Vera Melton. The glce
club rendered several selections, Miss
Nell Melton, violinist, entertained
with few selections, and Mrs. Lee
Melton, at the piano, also gave her
contribution to the entertainment Of
The day.
1t was great day in Chesterfield.
The committees and their assistants
all worked hard and it is believed
hey were amply rewarded by the
pleasure given to every soldier, both
Did and young.
The program for the day was in
charge of the following chairmen Of
committees, who had assistants too
numerous to mention: General chair
man and speaking, Hon. G.. X. Laney;
Dinner, c. l.. Hunley, Esq, and Mrs.
frank b. Sanders; Finance, Bradley
+. Teal; Entertainment, j. Arthur
Knight; TO have tables prepared, j.
y. Welsh; Refreshments, Miss Doris
Laney; Publicity, Paul ii. Hearn.
These committees were augmented
and greatly assisted by numerous vol
untecrs.
Some cash was contributed and it
IS stated that if any funds are left
over they will be held for the enter
ainment next August, when it is
loped all the boys will be home.