Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1909 — Emerson Coen Saw the Fleet. [ARTICLE]

Emerson Coen Saw the Fleet.

Under date of Feb. 23d Emerson Coen/wrote his mother, Mrs. W. S. Coen, describing the return of the fleet to Hampton Rhoads, as follows: I “Well, we are now in Hampton I Roads. We met about six other ships I on our way up here, after wtch we met the fleet. It was certalrlj; a grand sight from start to finish. All j the ships in the fleet weie pain ed white, but the ships that met them, I namely, the Idaho, Mississippi, Maine, North Carolina, Sale m, Chester and Birmingham ate all painted a dark blue, so as to look like the Water of the ocean. “When we got north within 20 miles of Hampton Reads, you should have seen the people in boats to tee us come in. Everything that had a bottom in it and would float was there. Then we got all in single file and went in and anchored, 25 ships in all. “The president and many distinguished men were there to welcome the fleet back. The only unplasant thing wds the fact that it Wts raining and rained all day. On Monday night every ship was lighted up, electric lights being strung all over the great ships. Sixty search lights played with the darkness and it was certainly a grand sight with ail of the bands playing and we all had a big supper consisting of baked turkey and everything that goes with it, and a box of cigarettes and a cigar was at each plate. It was W shlngton’s birthday and there was all kinos of people out to celebrate and lots do-' ing all the time. “We certainly had some rough' weather on our way, back. You cmld see those old ships raise and go down 'in the water and you would think they were never coming up again. The great waves would roll up and apparently go clear over the ships. The officers permitted us to go out<-« side and watch the raging sea all day, except that we could not go on the highest deck of the ship. It was a marvelous sight We are going back to Guantanimo again in a few days.” Emerson seems to be ynjoying his experience in the navy and his letters are always inteesting. Jacob Wagner and family, Mrs. Henry Wagner and family, Mrs. Anna Shide and family left on the 10:05 train for Larimore, N. Dak., to which place so many good families from over near Remington have bean moving this year. Most of them have rented largo farms and Judged by the success other Jasper county families that went there last year had, the outlook la very bright for them. Many friends and relatives camo to the depot to bid them "God speto" thd Mrs. Wagner scoose* panted them ss far an Chicago.