Taken from a July 18, 1968 issue of The Tipton Conservative
Submitted by Sharon Elijah October 8, 2021
50 Years Ago

189 Draftees Left Cedar County; Dinner, Speeches, Dance, 2000 See Them Off

Click here for List of Soldiers

     Fifty years ago Monday, July 22, 189 men left Cedar county as the largest group to be drafted during World War I. This probably was not the largest military contingent to have left the county, as larger units were organized locally during the Civil War and left as units. However, it was the largest group of men to enter military service from Cedar county in the last 100 years.

     Men are now selected for military service and leave in small groups, almost unnoticed. This was not true 50 years ago when the departure of the 189 men was the signal for a dinner, program and dance the night before the men left. When the men boarded 3 railroad cars there was more than 3,000 persons to see them off.

     This is the story as it was reported in the Tipton Advertiser the week after the men left:

     Last Monday was a memorable day in Tipton. It will never be forgotten by any of the thousands who assembled here from all quarters of the county to join in a farewell demonstration in honor of the largest class of selected men sent at one time to join the ranks of the American army now fighting on European soil.

     The invitation sent out by the Tipton Home Guard for all the people of the county to join with them was accepted, and a fair estimate of the massed throng which filled the court square and adjacent streets Monday evening is that not less than 10,000 people were there to honor the boys by their presence.

     The selected men were ordered to report at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. A few come on the early morning trains, but most of them were brought by their relatives or friends in automobiles which began to pour into the city shortly after dinner. The arrangements for roll call were excellent. The members of the exemption board were stationed on the platform at the east door of the court house, while the men gathered below. As Auditor Yetter called the roll each man responded by coming to the platform, where Miss Hecht, clerk for the board pinned on the badge provided. Those boys certainly looked good to the assembled crowd, and each was greeted with applause as he mounted the steps. They were splendid specimens of the manhood of this county, and each seemed to be filled with a keen realization of why he was there as well as the mighty import of the tasks ahead.

     As the boys passed on through the court house hallway they were met by Mrs. F. W. Spear, who assigned them to the various homes where they were entertained over night, and boy scouts were on hand to direct them. It was thought that this time with 189 soldiers to look after that here would be plenty of soldier guests, but such was the number of patriotic and hospitable homes open and ready for them that again many were disappointed not having men assigned to them. There were fewer to provide for than expected. Because of the fine weather and roads the board gave permission to even those at a distance who wished to return to their homes to spend the night.

     The supper provided for the boys was served at tables near the platform at 7 o’clock and was in charge of the ladies of the Searchlight club. The boys were ready for it, and the way the chicken and noodles disappeared was a sight. By the time this order of the day was over the steadily increasing throng of people was packed in solid mass covering the east half of the square. The boys remained at their seats for the program, which consisted of musical numbers by the Tipton band, patriotic songs by the Home Guard and an address by Robert G. Cousins. The latter spoke for an hour. Much was expected from him and none was disappointed. His address made a deep and lasting impression on the thousands who followed it throughout with the closest attention.

     In the meantime Home Guard committees had been busy with preparations for the dancing party on the asphalt paved street north of the square. All traffic had been roped off for a distance of 200 feet, and after the street had been thoroughly cleaned it was given a heavy coat of paraffin, which hundreds of kids soon tramped smooth. Smith’s De Luxe orchestra of Davenport with eight pieces was on the finely decorated platform on the north sidewalk. A great arch enclosing a circle contained the words, “Welcome to Our Selected Men. Cedar County’s best.” At the center of the circle was a mounted American eagle. This was the valued contribution of O. S. Johnson to the general scheme of decoration. No charge was made to anyone for dancing, and the boys and their friends were soon at the center of this scene of gaiety, which continued until a late hour. As many as 300 couples were counted dancing at one time.

     The final farewells were said at the Rock Island station the next morning. The boys reported at the court house at 7:30 o’clock, where they were placed in charge of Richard Swartzlender, a soldier with a year’s experience on the Mexican border, and marched to the train. A special train of three M.K. & T. coaches had been sent here for their use. They were pulled to Elmira and incorporated with another train bringing selected men from Benton and Grundy counties.

     Fully two thousand people were at the train, and there were many touching scenes as the last goodbyes where said. As the train pulled out every hat was off and the boys gave a hearty cheer for the old town and the home friends. In the hearts of all present there was a silent prayer for their safe return.