Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 201, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1917 — COMMUNITY BIDS FAREWELL TO BOYS ENTERING GREAT STRUGGLE [ARTICLE]

COMMUNITY BIDS FAREWELL TO BOYS ENTERING GREAT STRUGGLE

Hundreds Witnessed Departure of the 128 Members of Company M, Who Left to Go Into Active Train- • ing Greatest War the World Has Ever Known—Amid Tears and Smiles, Jasper and Newton Counties’ Group of 128 Men Left Monon Station Preparatory to Hurling Themselves Into the Struggle to Overthrow Autocracy In Far-Off Europe.

Far back in the days of 1861 — days that will only be remembered by the older citizens of our county, Jasper placed upon the altar of sacrifice what strength she could musi ter in the cause of the only internal i strife this country has ever had. Again in 1898 Jasper county sent many of her young men forward to engage in battle. No company was sent from this city at that time, but many of our young men joined the colors. An interval of eighteen years then elapsed before Rensselaer saw any uniformed soldiers going to the front to aid their country in a "battle against a foreign enemy. The year 916 saw the departure of the company representing this county for Mexico. That was a memorable occasion and our citizens assembled at the station to witness the departure of our offering in the interest of the country at that time. On each of the above occasions Jasper county paid tribute to the cream of her youth and wished them Godspeed on their journey and for tender sympathy these occasions could not be surpassed. However, the morning of September 10, 1917, will go down in the history of the county as a day that will npver be forgotten. 128 young men standing in line, grim, resolute, defiant, and with a look of determination upon their faces, left the armory and wended their way to the Monon station, where they were to catch their train for Fort Benjamin Harrison in the initial step of their journey, which no doubt would end when they were on the battlefields of Europe to fight in the cause of democracy. What a proud moment it was for those young men, who were heeding their country’s call and going forward to offer their lives in the cause of humanity; how proud they felt as they passed in review before our citizens; how proud they felt as they boarded the train and bid goodbye to their relatives and friends! For the second time within a little over a year, many of the members of the local company were permitted to leave Rensselaer to offer their services for their country. What more noble privilege could be granted them? Each and every one of the soldiers felt the tenseness of the situation and despite their efforts to appear cheerful, a lump arose in each throat and tears streamed down their cheeks as they bid their parents, sisters, brothers and sweethearts goodbye—perhaps in some cases the last goodbyes they would ever be permitted to make. Seven-fifteen witnessed the departure of the troops from Washington street on their way to the station and foryt-five minutes later these same young men were leaving the town behind —perhaps for weeks,

months or years, they knew not which. The leave-taking was a sad one and there are many heavy hearts in the community today. Following their arrival at Fort Harrison the men wiH go into active training for perhaps several weeks, after which they will be sent to Hattiesburg, Miss., the cantonment assigned to them during their training to fit themselves for active duties in Europe. The next few months promise much hard labor and the entire time will be given over to preparing the troops of Uncle Sam for the hardships which are tp be encountered in Europe. The time of the arrival of the Indiana troops at Hattiesburg will be no doubt at least a month hence. Providing nothing unforseen occurs, the Indiana troops will be among those entering the war zone in the early months of 1918. Although only brief announcement was made as to the program to be followed out Sunday, there were hundreds of citizens on hand to spend the day with the soldiers. Dinners were provided for the khaki clads by friends and relatives and everything was done to make the final day before their departure one to be remembered. In the afternoon a drill was given by the soldiers in the field just south of Camp Kurrie, for the benefit of the visitors. Following this, Lieutenant Watson gave a short talk, thanking the citizens for the interest they had taken in the company during their stay here and asking them that they keep in communication with them following their departure from the city. It was his desire that the company be recruited to full strength before leaving. The members of the company were then permitted to spend the remainder of the day with their friends and relatives as they saw fit. The company was quartered in the .armory over night, with the exception of those who remained at home. All were on hand at 5 o’clock and the remaining time before the departure of the train was spent in preparing for their leave-taking. The special train which transported the troops to Indianapolis was to pick up Company C of Monticello, The train was under the care of Conductor Fred, Ball and was under the especial charge of Frank E. Lewis, of Lafayette, lately appointed to the position of general trainmaster. All bridges and culverts were guarded and every precaution possible taken for the safe delivery of the troops at the state capital. The train was not allowed to run over twenty-five miles an hour.

Floyd Hemphill, son of I. N. Hemphill, enlisted in Company M Sunday, bringing the total strength of the company up to 128 men. Floyd attempted to join the navy on two occasions, but was rejected in each instance on account of physical disability. Although he has not as yet been examined, it is thought that he will successfully past the examination. Watermelons for sale, 1 % miles north and 1 mile west of Parr.—Wm. Roudebush.