Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — OFF FOR THE TRAINING CAMP [ARTICLE]

OFF FOR THE TRAINING CAMP

Demonstration Marks Departure of National Army Boys.

Delevan J. Babcock, Rensselaer Roy M. Burch, Rensselaer James Campbell, Wheatfield Arvie E. Culp, Francesville John S. DeArmond, Tefft • Anton DeGroote, Remington Merrill Freeland, Rensselaer John Kaufman, Fair Oaks Fred H. Marchand, Monon Charles E. Miller, San Pierre F. D. Minniear, Rensselaer Louis W. Misch, Wheatfield Johannes Moolenaar, Demotte William Ott, Rensselaer Wm. R. Schafer, Remington E. E. Shoemaker, Rensselaer Tunis Snip, Jr., Thayer Vernon R. Stearns, Newland Oscar J. Stemibel, Wheatfield Joseph J. Thomas, Rensselaer • Louis Walstra, Thayer Carl Weickum, Rensselaer

The twenty-two men above named left Rensselaer Thursday forenoon for Camp Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky, Where they will train for service in the army against autocracy and murder. It was hard to see these young men start on the journey, the end of which we know not where it will he. Douibly hard, perhaps, because our own son was one of the number. But with each parent we can say 'may their every act and deed he that of a true American tnd may their efforts help in some small way to rid the world of the military despotism that has so unsettled the peace and security of mankind for the past few years. The above- list includes the cream 1 of the youth of this county and may the sacrifice be not in vain. And while the departure of our hoy® is, of course, tinged with sadness and regret, there is also a bright side to look at. Once in camp and in training those young men will rapidly develop into the perfect specimens of manhood demanded of soldiers. The training will be of inestimable service to them in more ways than one, and when they return, which they shall, surely do when peace is once more established, they will be better pre-

pared and equipped to go out m the irorld and cope with the battles of life. No set program had been arranged for the departure of the boys, hut as the time to start drew near a large crowd assembled on the court house lawn, and all the »pupils of the Rensselaer high school came in a body to accompany the boys to the. train. When the start was made the scholars and others present fell in line and marched to the depot. The Rensselaer band was also oin hand and gave a military tinge yo the'“Seigae; by rendering several patriotic airs. l As was required by law,, the young men were placed in charge of two of their number, Louis W. Misch and Delevan J. Babcock, who were provided with transportation, meal tickets (good for two meajs on the train) ( and the entry certificates of the group. The final scenes of parting were quiet and undemonstrative with one exception. John Kaufman, a member of the Amish church, which is opposed to participation in war, was accompanied to the train by several relatives and their parting was indeed pathetic. The boys left here on the lb: 53train, which was about thirty minutes late, and were due to arrive at Louisville at 7:35 p. m. It is probable they were also late at Louisville, but went direct to the camp. The boys from Lake county were in a special coach attached to the rear of the train, and -were joined here by the Jasper county boys, and at Reynolds by the« Newton county quota of twenty-three, and at Lafayette by the Warren county contingent. As the train drew into Rensselaer the fellows from Lake county were quite hilarious and apparently very happy. On the sides of the coach they had inscribed’ “From Hammond to Berlin,” “Berlin or Bust,” and "To Hell with the Kaiser.” No word has been received herefrom any of the boys but they no doubt reached their destination safe and by this time are well settled amid their new surroundings.