Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-10-04
HOW DIES MONIES TOOK
CARE OF OLD SOLDIERS

/ ono of the prettiest features of
the recent immense gathering in Dcs.
Moinos was the use made of the Boy
Scouts.
They met trains, directed to hotels,
knew where the various headquar.
ters were, suggested registering, and
knew the proper place for each or.
ganization, carried luggage for the
veterans, and IL one was not enough
n raised hand brought another little
scout running, eager to be of serv.
ice.
At the Coliseum, huge building
where the camp fire was held on We'd
nesday evening, they were ranged
along the walls and in the asles
about fifteen feet apart. standing at
attention, until veteran appeared
when, waiting just long enough to
determine In which direction the
soldier wished to go, couple from
that aisle hurried up, one on each side
supporting the stalwart figure be-
tween them, and third walked down
the aisle 10 hunt desirable seat,
when a raised hand brought the
guides there with their charge.
AS the hall filled. those who
were not old soldiers were requested
TO yield their seat to those in whose
honor the meeting was held Some
times as many as half a dozen would
be routed out and forced to hunt new
seats, by the tiny, alert scouts.
Then all through the meeting, tho
boys patrolled the room. and a lifted
hand by any old soldier brought the
nearest to his side when whatever
his wish. a drink a fan, or TO be help.
ed out. brought instant help
The system of signalling to each
other seemed TO be effective, readily
understood and OF great assistance
to not only the little scouts them
selves, but to those they were help.
ing.
The next most noticeable feature
was the close relationship between
tho Civil War veterans and the To-
gion boys. There was always a boy
in trim khaki at hand wherever the
veterans were. In the parade. at all
public meetings. the legion was decid-
edly on the scene.
The parade, ono of the greatest ever
held, was so long that few could see
the whole of 1t. No estimate placed
the length less than ten miles, while
some We're certain that It was fifteen
miles long This much IL certain. that
il took about two hours to pass
given point
Each division had its own banner,
a few flags that had been carried thru
the rebellion. were in line. Enough
of the famous Iron Brigade were In
line, a drum corps that had the same
musical instruments used through the
war, were mounted on huge truck
and drummed and flied their way.
greeted by cheers and waving hats
wherever they passed
A few old soldiers were so exiler.
ated from the general enthusiasm that
they danced along the street, waving
their hands and singing, stopping
only to shake hands with some of the
and exhort them to be al.
ways loyal to the flag of the best coun-
try in the world.
The excitement and fatigue was too
much for some veteran, who dropped
dead at the close of the exercises.
Automobiles We're at every corner,
and waiting nurses We're on hand to
urge the apparently feeble to ride
but few would take advantage of this,
seeming to find strength in the glory
Of the recollections of the past.
At the Coliseum. half dozen nurses
in their white uniform and natty caps
were ranged in the lobby, with a doc
tor in the background, anxiously wait
ing a call for help.
Certainly no city could have taken
more trouble to arrange for every
and prevent any acct
dent during the crowded week, whore
so many thousands of feeble men and
women were gathered in strange sur
than did Des Moines.
Mrs Joe Massro has returned from
a short visit with relatives in Chicago
William Jones, an old resident Of
Marseilles, is lying dangerously ILL.,
at the home Of his son, David Jones,
on Second street.
Mrs. Nellie Smith passed very
comfortable night last night Yestor
day she sat up short time, and
even stood up and took couple of
steps.