Send Off
(narrative written by ChatGPT using 3 May 1917 newspaper account)
In April 1917, Seneca, Kansas, hosted a momentous and deeply emotional gathering to honor young local men preparing to depart for military service in World War I. The event, held in the packed courtroom, united hundreds of townspeople in an outpouring of patriotism not seen since the Spanish-American War. Families, friends, veterans, and community leaders gathered to bid farewell to over forty recruits, several of whom were leaving the next day for assignments with the Coast Artillery Service.
The program began with a stirring march of Civil War veterans to the front of the room, where they saluted the flag. These aging heroes symbolically passed the torch to the young men of Seneca who were about to embark on their own journey into war. As the recruits marched to take their positions in the courtroom, the crowd erupted in applause, a testament to their pride and support. The scene was described as one of unparalleled inspiration, uniting the community in a shared commitment to freedom and democracy.
The evening featured speeches from prominent community members. Judge R. M. Emery praised the courage and patriotism of the recruits, emphasizing the righteousness of fighting to uphold democracy and protect free people around the world. Other speakers, including C. C. K. Scoville and V. B. Fisher, drew on their personal experiences and reflections, expressing both the gravity of the moment and the hope for a brighter future. Fisher, a twice-wounded Civil War veteran, warmly encouraged the young men, drawing parallels between their mission and his own service decades earlier.
Reverend Dr. Thayer and Superintendent R. G. Mueller spoke about the broader significance of the war, reminding the audience of their shared responsibility to uphold democratic values and support the soldiers abroad. Reverend Morton delivered a powerful address, invoking the sacrifices of past patriots and calling for unity in the fight against tyranny.
The evening was punctuated by musical performances, including a rendition of “Marching Through Georgia,” and heartfelt responses from some of the young recruits. Embert Coles, Rolland Dennen, and Albert Koelzer expressed their determination to serve with honor, even as they acknowledged the uncertainties and dangers ahead.
The event encapsulated the resolve, faith, and community spirit of Seneca. As the recruits prepared to leave, they were sent off with a collective blessing of hope, gratitude, and unwavering support, embodying the town’s deep commitment to its soldiers and the principles for which they were about to fight.
Transcript of article from the 3 May 1917 Courier Democrat
HONORED ‘SAVIOURS’ AND ‘DEFENDERS’
A FERVENT LOYALTY MEETING
IN GREATEST BURST OF PATRIOTISM SINCE OUTBREAK OF SPANISH WAR SENECA PEOPLE SALUTE SOLDIER BOYS.
Seneca, Kansas, April 30th: The
courtroom fell far short of sufficient
room to accommodate the hundreds of
Seneca people who gathered tonight
to pay homage to the forty or more
Seneca recruits who leave within the
next few weeks for service with the
American forces. In view of the fact
that several members of the Coast
Artillery Service leave tomorrow,
(Tuesday) for Manhattan and Fort
Logan, Colorado, a committee of men
met earlier in the day upon invitation
of Mayor Dennis and worked out a
hurried program. The news that
Seneca would honor its soldier boys
that night spread rapidly and before
the assemblage was called to order by
Commander E. R. Murphy of George
Graham Post, the courtroom was
packed to capacity.
The storm of applause that swept
over the splendid audience first broke
with the march of the veterans of the
Rebellion, to the front of the room
where Commander Murphy ordered a
salute to the Flag. The heroes of the
Civil War were assigned seats in the
jury box. A few minutes later two
score of the Seneca recruits to the
great war marched forward and took
positions within the bar on the right
of the room. With the men of ’61 and
’65 on the one hand, our boys of ’17
on the other, the band between
quickening the pulse to the stirring
strains of national airs, here was a
scene the like of which Seneca people
have never before—witnessed. It
was the greatest inspiration to an in-
sight of the love of Seneca people
for a free government that this old
town has ever known. It is far be-
yond the power of a writing man to
hand to you the sympathetic
word picture of the scene that its
thrill merits. It was not so much the
things that were said, it was not so
much the playing and the singing of
the country’s songs—it was the mag-
nificent determination that shone in
every face to do his bit. None caught
this feeling quicker than the old
veterans. Small wonder that backs,
bent by the weight of the passing
years, straightened to “attention” and
shaking hands came smartly to sa-
lute. And in all this great war
through you will remember no scene
so vividly as that of the close when,
gray-haired Judge Larimer, that griz-
zled hero of some of the most terrible
fighting of the Rebellion, stood be-
fore the audience waving “Old Glory”
while a young recruit of our latest
war performed a like function on his
right.
We would like to give you all the
speakers said but must confine our-
selves to excerpts.
Commodore Murphy introduced the
speakers in turn. The first was Judge
R. M. Emery who said in substance:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Men of the
G. A. R. and our Soldier Boys: “It is
a pleasure to speak upon an occasion
like this and I am gratified at this
magnificent crowd that has gathered
tonight to bid you boys God-speed as
you go forth to fight your country’s
battles. It has been said in the east
that the middle west has not
awakened to the meanings of the
time. I think this audience effectu-
ally refutes that statement. Your
presence on just a few hours short
notice tells of the fires of patriotism
that are burning in your hearts. The
necessities of war are to be deplored
but the greatest things in history
have been accomplished by righteous
wars. We are now entering upon the
fiercest and most extensive war in
the history of the world. To some
it may seem that we are not deeply
interested but when a nation assumes
to control the waters of the earth,
to deny its traffic to free peoples and
to deny the right of any free citizen
to travel thereon, this nation must
receive the punishment it deserves.
Our noble President has done every-
thing that he could to avoid war, he
has protested, exhorted and suppli-
cated for our rights, yet he has been
ignored, our vessels have been sunk
and innocent men, women and child-
ren have lost their lives while bound
upon their peaceful avocations. The
President has been compelled for the
sake of our honor to tell this govern-
ment, that should it not desist, we
can no longer treat them as a brother
nation. One of the noblest things is
that while some might have doubted
the propriety of going to war, the
Congress, Republicans and Democrats
alike, have joined with the President
to uphold his hands and the dignity
of the United States.
“But this is a sad occasion, es-
pecially to some. The flower of our
youth is called upon to go forward
to maintain the dignity of our
country. The hearts of our mothers
will bleed for them and yet we feel
proud that over two score of our
young men have already enlisted.
The young man who has the dis-
tinguished honor of being the first to
enlist from Seneca is Harry Myers.
“And it is mete and proper that the
Mayor should call us together tonight
to recognize their valor and bid them
God-speed in their noble and glorious
purpose. Boys, as you go forth to
fight for your country if need be, re-
member those you love, keep a tender
regard for your own city and in
battle or in camp may you do your
full duty and honor the community
from which you go. The boys over
here of the Rebellion went forth to
fight their country’s battles. Many
fell but some returned. These were
the ones who received the honor and
for over a quarter of a century they
dominated the political life of the
country because they stood by it
in its time of trial. So will you be
honored upon your return.”
Seneca men, Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Den-
nen, Mr. Reichert, Dr. Grindle, Mr.
L. J. and Mr. Ed. Scheier and Mr.
Mathews then sang a song to the
tune of Marching Through Georgia,
the words composed by Mrs. T. J.
Richardson of Circleville.
0.
+Mr. Chas. H. Herold was introduced.
He said in substance: “We are
gathered together flush with the pride
of renewed loyalty and patriotism as
we have come to bid God-speed to the
boys who go from out of our citizen-
ship to answer our country’s call in
this the momentous struggle of all
time. Truth and frankness prompt
me to say that I was not one of those
enthusiastic for war. I had hoped
and prayed that this crisis might
pass my country by. But the Presi-
dent and the Congress decided other-
wise and now every American is for
war. This great struggle that lies
before us has a great cause behind it
and our President in his proclamation
has said that this cause is Democracy,
government for the people and by the
people. And it is a cause that is well
worthy to draw the sword. He has
told us and we know that we shall
not lay down our arms until democ-
racy has been extended to the utter-
most confines of the world. This
country, my fellow citizens, is a cos-
mopolitan people. It has rightly been
called the melting pot. From all lands
in the 140 years of our existence the
people have come to our shores be-
cause we invited the oppressed of all
nations. And millions of these were
cradled between the waters of the
Rhine and the Vistula. Many mil-
lions spring from the loins of those
who have come here to better their
conditions and seeking the freedom
of which they had dreamed for years.
History, tradition and ties of blood
bind these people to those of the Cen-
tral Powers. It is more than human
nature to repress the feelings and
sentiments of a lifetime. But know-
ing them as I do, myself springing
from the same stock, I can assure
you that in this momentous struggle
you will find a no more loyal or patri-
otic people than those who spring
from the Central Powers. They are
trained from childhood in discipline
and obedience and they know what
they owe to their country. They will
not falter and will be found true
until the victory is won. And I ap-
peal to you, my fellow citizens, to
exercise a war-time charity toward
those who are tied by these tender
ties to the country that is now our
enemy.
“Well may we do honor to the boys
who leave so shortly, to respond to
the highest call of citizenship. May
we not hope that they will show
bravery and soldierly conduct as a
guarantee of the loyalty and patriot-
ism of the community from which
they come. May we express the hope
that they will soon return. That
when they shall return with peace re-
stored, they may return to a world
without a king and with autocracy
and tyranny dead at the feet of
justice, with democracy entrenched
in every land, exerting its just and
beneficent rule to all the people of
all the earth.”
C. C. K. Scoville: “Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen and Boys I
have helped bring up. I told Mrs.
Scoville before I left that I felt more
like I was going to a funeral than
the celebration of the beginning of a
great war. There is no man who has
a greater love for his country or
greater patriotism than I. As I
listened to these eloquent gentlemen
it seemed as though my tongue was
tied to the roof of my mouth. Try as
I may it is not possible for me to for-
get for one moment that within hear-
ing distance of the guns sleeps to-
night the one who is dearer to me
than all else in the world. That her
heart is with the enemy of my
country. It is not possible for me to
forget for one moment that the one
who is dearer to her is an enemy to the
other son of mine who works in the
shadow of the Rhode Island naval
yards. I tell you friends, this is a
tragedy and it is no wonder that I
cannot talk. Greater than all else,
dearer than everything else, is this
which springs from God Almighty,
Life itself. This is the first time in
history that the whole world is at
war and there is no peace. I am
constrained to ask all of you people,
what does it mean—what are we
coming to? It is a time when good
men stop and wonder and say, ‘give
us light.’ It is a time when mother
shall meet mother and ask, ‘what of
the times?’ It is the greatest and
blackest shadow that ever fell upon
men. It is a time for men to stop
and think.”
V. B. Fisher, twice wounded in the
Civil War, was the next speaker. Van
was in his best form. He talked a
little fast for the reporter to get it in
long hand but here is the gist of his
remarks: “I want to shake hands
with all of you boys.” Suiting his
action to the words the old veteran
shook the hand of each recruit. “I
remember when I was a soldier once,”
he said, “and I realize how you boys
feel. I helped raise all you boys.”
Turning to the audience he said: “It
looks like an imposition for me to
talk to you after all these lawyers
and bankers have addressed you. All
this carries me back to that other
night in ’61, as a lad of eighteen
when I joined the colors. I am glad
for the Old Flag I helped to save. It
is the pride of my life that these boys
have not forgotten and have the same
love for it and the same friendship
as had those boys of ’61. Your old
comrades ought to be proud that you
have lived to see this day. First I
enlisted for three months. Then there
was a call for three year enlistments.
That looked like a long time. I
thought it over. Then I up and says,
‘put her down, sir, Van Buren Fisher!’
I am glad today that there is north
and no south—that we are all one—
just Americans. I believe that this
war will bring on great reform.
I believe the Almighty has a hand
in it. I believe that great things will
be revived in the hearts of the people.
God bless you boys, there will be
many a tear shed over your leaving.
Many a pillow will be wet with a
mother’s tears. You mothers, write
to your boys. Tell them that you’re
praying for them. Bless your souls,
war is just what old Sherman said
it was. I rejoice that some of my
blood has helped to paint the red in
that old flag. I am glad that we can
hand the heritage for which we fought
down to our boys. Mothers, encourage
your boys in the things that ought
to be as precious as life itself.”
Judge Mitchell said in part: “Ladies
and gentlemen and boys that have
enlisted for the war. Just 56 years
ago this month the flag was fired
upon at Sumpter and Lincoln made
his call for 40,000 volunteers for
ninety days to put down the Rebellion.
The next call was for 300, then again
300,000 and still 300,000 more. I am
going to talk to you boys but I am
glad to see the turn-out of people
here tonight. Since we fought there
has been a great improvement in
death-dealing devices and a new
method called trench warfare which
you boys may have to face. The
thing for you boys to do is to put
your reliance in God and buckle on
your armour. It may be three or
four years before this war is ended.
We want you boys to remember that
you are not going out on a picnic.
Stay by the old Flag all the way
through and may God bring you safe-
ly back to your friends and to a peace
the whole world through.”
Supt. R. G. Mueller said in part:
“I believe that we teachers may safe-
ly claim the honor of raising these
boys, more than anyone else perhaps,
outside of their own homes. We
have talked with them and counseled
them and we have taken them across
our knees and argued with them. I
have been rather a close observer of
what is going on in the world and
somewhat of a student of history. I
believe that these are the most im-
portant events in all history of
the world. As far as I know there
have never before been such great
issues at stake. This is no play
matter. It is not a time for rejoic-
ing, neither is it a time for mourn-
ing. We must face the issues. In
this connection I am reminded of that
toast given by Stephen Decatur 100
years ago. ‘My country, in her in-
tercourse with foreign nations, may
she ever be right, but My Country,
right or wrong.’ That is the one
sentiment of our country, a universal
sentiment. Whether or not we may
have agreed with the powers that be,
our lot has been cast and there is but
one thing to do—stand by the coun-
try. We at home will have a part to
play—to keep the industries of life
going and to supply our men at the
front with the supplies they need,
that our boys may not suffer for the
necessities of life. As I look out up-
on this crisis in this momentous
time, it seems to me that we have
here a unique opportunity to gather
together as citizens to do honor to the
boys of our previous war and to the
defenders of our homes. May the
heritage from the boys of ’61 be
transmitted to these boys, to the end
that democracy may never cease from
the earth.”
Rev. Dr. Thayer said: “I would pre-
fer to sit here and listen to these old
veterans who have borne the burden
and heat of the day. We are in the
position of Carey of modern missions
fame who said: ‘I’ll go down into the
well, but you’ve got to hold the rope.’
We’re in the conflict just as much as
these boys and we’ve got to hold the
rope. War is exacted at the fearful
cost of good things. I was just old
enough to remember seeing the sol-
diers come back from the Civil War.
It cost a lot. And the tragedy of it
was that you old soldiers had to go
out and fight the South to establish in
the South just the very thing it need-
ed most—a realization of the impor-
tance of strong central government.
It isn’t to kill Germans that we now
go to war, though that may be neces-
sary. Caesar once thought to con-
quer all that great portion of Europe
for himself, then the name changes a
trifle until it became the Czar, then
and then again to the Kaiser, dyn-
asties that believe in a world created
for their own express benefit. The
thing you boys have got to do is to
establish democracy in the minds and
hearts of the people who most need it—
to carry democracy into the center of
the world’s greatest imperialism. To
give these German people the same
rights as these other people of like
race who come into town every Sat-
urday with their happy families and
in a land of perfect liberty.”
Rev. Morton made a most eloquent
address. The Methodist minister
talks rapidly and the reporter had
difficulty keeping up. He began with
an apt phrase: “Saviours of Our
Country and Defenders of Our Coun-
try: “I am happy to be in Seneca. I
was glad to be in the city clerk’s of-
fice this morning at the call of the
Mayor and to see this drama in life
unfold. This is a very solemn occa-
sion which you and I will not forget
for some time. Shortly we may hear
the trump that will announce our part
in the mighty conflict and we are here
tonight to take part in maintaining
the institutions of democracy in which
we live. Our history has been meas-
ured by notable events and only a
democracy born like ours could give
birth to such great and glorious
heroes.” Dramatically the speaker
gestured to either side of the room.
“It is not far across this aisle,” he
said, “but it is far across the years.
I seem to hear the voice of that great
patriot who said, ‘give me liberty or
give me death.’ And again Nathan
Hale who said, ‘I regret that I have
but one life to give for my country.’
And later those words, ‘Shoot if you
must this old grey head, but spare
your country’s flag’ and that stirring
cry, ‘On to Richmond, On to Richmond.’
We have laid all political
alignments aside and for one I say
let Teddy and his boys go forward.”
(This remark drew a roar of ap-
plause.) Boys, we can trust you, you
have our highest regard and respect.
May Christ be with you night and
day.”
Mrs. H. E. Jenkins said in part:
“Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen and
Our Young Soldiers. I am proud of
this opportunity to say a few words.
If I can leave one good thought with
these boys I shall be satisfied. This
is a sad time, this parting of loved
ones yet we are glad and proud that
we have mothers who can raise sons
who are ready to answer their
country’s call. We feel sure that the
mothers will be blessed by these les-
sons of truth and patriotism. One
country and one flag. Revere and
hold it sacred boys. We give our
flag into their keeping. I love every
star and every bar in Old Glory. I
love the old comrades, those who
gave that we might enjoy these
privileges. They trust these treas-
ures in your hand and if you must
go, may God bring you safely back
to us, with flag unstained and
honored, the flag of the free. You
boys were not born to be slaves. May
God bless you.”
Ira K. Wells: “Ladies and Gentle-
men, we’re in war. We don’t realize
what it means. But this war will
be brought home to us and every fam-
ily will have to do its bit. We must
face the music. We appreciate that
these boys have come forward with-
out waiting for a draft. I hope T. R.
will be allowed to carry the flag to the
front.”
Responses were given by Embert
Coles, Rolland Dennen and Albert
Koelzer and by Corporal Parrott of
the regular army who is home on
furlough. Embert Coles said that he
didn’t expect to come back with a
lot of medals on his breast and hoped
that he would not come home with
holes in the back of his coat. Rolland
Dennen said that he had rather hoped
for medals. He said that he might
need a little re-enforcement in front.
The boys were all thankful for the
demonstration.