Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 151, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1916 — Co. M Entrains For Fort Harrison [ARTICLE]

Co. M Entrains For Fort Harrison

“Flying Squadron” Visited Neighboring Towns Friday After--noon Appealing to Young Men to Come to the Aid of f.f Their Country. Work of Raising Money for Company M Goes On. RECRUITING STATION STILL OPEN. Two Thousand Gathered at an Early Hour This Morning at Depot to Give the Departing Members of Company M a Sendoff and Bid Them Godspeed. Departure Parallels that of 1861 Held Here. Any Doubt of Patriotism of Rensselaer People Dispelled by Magnificent Demonstration Held Friday Night and This Morning.

HUSHED THRONG BIDS COMPANY GOODBYE NEW ENLISTMENTS. Albert Dunn, Wheatfield. Richard Nightingale, Remington. David Berns, Brookston. Roscoe Reeder, RensaeMer.

Any doubt (hat might have existed as bo the loyalty and patriotism of the people of Rensselaer and Jasper county was dispelled by the magnificent demonstration held at the -ourt house Friday evening and early this Saturday morning. People stood in the rain Friday evening to watch the maneuvers of Company M at the court house square and refused to leave until the last part of the ceremony was over. They were right back again this morning at an extremely ear'y hour and began to line up on Washington street as early as 4:30 to get a final glimpse of the splendid young men who are leaving their families and friends lo go to the aid of their country in the present crisis with the Mexican government. There may be larger demonstrations in other places, but no city the size of Rensselaer could display more enthusiasm, patriotism and love toward their soldier boys than was evidenced in this past week. The members of Company M to a m'an, appreciate the kindnesses they have, received from the people of this community and are loud in their praise to the ones they are leaving behind. Promptly following the four long blasts of the fire whistle Friday afternoon announcing the departure of Company M this Saturday morning, preparations were started to make the departure-of M Company a memorable occasion. Headed by the patriotic John O'Connor, a program was arranged for Friday evening. Company M, in charge of Lieutenant Watson, left the armory at 7:15. They were met by the local band and led to the court house square, where they went through a short drill. Several selections were rendered by the band. The drill of the militia company was halted for a short time when the rain started to fall. The court house was.

thrown open and the company taken inside to listen to addresses by Logan Wood, of Parr, and Mose Leopold, E. P. Honan, John O’'Connor' and Abraham Halledk. Each speaker in his own able way, commended the members of Company M for the spirit they have shown in the present call to arms. They were urged to remember that the well wishes of the entire community was with them and the citizens of Jasper county expected nothing but praise io come to members of the local company for their achievements while away. They were again admonished to carry themselves as soldiers at all times and to do whatever duty they were called upon to perform. Following each talk the speakers were vociferously applauded, and Lieutenant Watson thanked each of the speakers for their words and spoke in behalf of Company members. Immediately after the patriotic addresses a parade was formed in front of the <?ourt house headed by the band. Next in line came the color bearers, M. E. Griffin, who went to the front during the SpanishAmerican war, and Sergeant James W. Spate, of the local company. Following the color bearers were the members of Company M and behind them, came the citizens on foot and in automobiles. The parade proceeded west on Washington street, crossed the bridge and around Milroy Park, back on Washington and down Van Rensselaer street back to where the parade had formed. Red fire donated by the merchants was burnt at intervals along the street'and added greatly to the attractiveness of the

oqcsion. One woman marched in the parade, and took no heed of the mud caused by the rain earlier in the evening. The parade was larger than any previous one of its kind ever held here, but we /will not sy that it was any more enthusiastic than the one prior to the leaving of Rensselaer’s company in 1861, for we were not here at that time, but it was a mighty enthusiastic one and every public spirited person swelled with pride when he saw the khaki clad soldier boys of Uncle Sam marching down the street. Old soldiers, who had not ventured to town in months, were on hand to witness the celebration. Some of them were crippled and were forced to ride in automobiles, but they were there and were just as enthusiastic as any of the younger citizens. The demonstration this _ morning when the members of the company entrained for Indianapolis was in direct contrast to the one of Friday evening. It w’asn’t a gay, happy, carefree throng, but there was a solemfffcess and hushed stillness that had not been characteristic of the two former demonstrations. They were brought face to face with the seriousness of the occasion and there was scarcely a person in the vast throng who did not fjeel a limp in their throat when the soldier boys clinibed aboard. Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers were there to bid the members of the families goodbye—yes, and there were sweethearts and wives there too, who seemed unmindful of the corwd as she placed a kiss on her soldier boy’s lips. Tears were in evidence everywhere and no matter how hard-hearted one is, the occasion could not help but affect them. The occasion this morning was one that will happen but once or twice in a lifetime and for many the was this morning was the first. The impression left on the minds of the 1 throng that was there this morning will linger with them forever. Lieutenant Watson made a brief talk to the crowd from the train just before leaving and again thanked the people for the kindly interest they have taken, and bid them all goodbye for the company. Many old soldiers pressed forward to grasp the hands of the soldier /boys and give them a little parting advice. The coaches which were set aside for the company were pulled up a,t 6:35 and left the station five minutes Mer, amid the waving of Handkerchiefs and cheers of the populace, The band "played “The Star Spangled Banner”, while everyone stood at attention. The cars for the trip were donated by the following persons: C. H. Tryon, Roe Yeoman, Central Garage, Abraham Leopold, C. P. Fate, F. E. Babcock, Mark Schroer ,H. B. Tuteur and Lee Adams. A flying squadfon left Rensselaer at 3:15 Friday afternoon, headed by Capt. Tuteur and John O’Connor. They visited the towns of Brook, Remington, ,Mt. Ayr and Goodland, arriving home at 7 o’clock. Mr. O/Connor made a short talk at each pi ace. No one was recruited, the trip simply being made in an endeavor to star up some spirit in the surrounding towns with the possibility of getting some later on if they are needed. The work of raising a fund for the company continues. It is in charge of John O’Connor and B. K. Zimmerman. They will continue collecting today and /will report to The Republican Monday morning and the names of the dontors will be published. Mr. O’Connor states that they have been meeting with great success. Lieutenant Garland and Company Qerk Wilcox did not leave with the company this morning, having been left behind to do- the recruiting. Anyone desiring to join the company can do so by reporting to Lieutenant Garland at H. B. Tutor's dry cleaning works. Many persons, possibly not realizing the seriousness of the occasion

and not understanding the handicaps with which the American soldiers will encounter in the mountainous parts of Mexico are prone to take the present crisis with Mexico lightly, and feel that there is no danger to our soldier (boys. They are wrong in their contention, as will be borne out by the annihilation of the two tioops of Tenth cavalry from Illinois. These troops were among the best drilled ones in the United States and were well versed in military tactics, which is proven by the fact that they were called to the border so early. Seven of those troopers are still alive. Mexican country and Mexican treachery did it

A number of men of the local company are married and in some instances they have been compelled to leave wife and children financially unprepared to meet the unexpected burden which has been thrust upon them. Self interest has been thrush aside when duby Men have gone forth to battle trusting that those who remain at home will not the loved ones to suffer. This is an Obligation that must not be overlooked, that must not be betrayed. There is a duty that we at home can perform and that is for the community to awake to the fact that these families left behind should .be helped by providing either funds or work for them, This should not be viewed in the light of charity. lit is merely a step to settle an obligation the community owes to those who are willing to go to the front. The pay of the private in the. ranks is but, sls a month, the highest pay of any army in the ( worid, but at that a sum which is entirely insufficient to maintain a family during these rousing times of high prices. If there were universal military service we should perhaps be relieved of the responsibility. But we are not yet in a mood to take kindly to a suggestion and,m view of this fact we should not hesitate to pay for the service which Other men are heroic enough to render. Give this a serious thought.