They were compelled to take men from their families and relatives, and place them on the firing line of death. Women deluged the board with protesting tears, and men with angry remonstrance and, in some cases, threats. The board stood firm through it all and cut through like a knife -- fairly and impartially, as nearly as they could with hastily assembled facts, sometimes presented in a partial manner. Mistakes may have been made for all men are human.

Now, that nothing is left of the organization but a memory, it should be a grateful memory of three men who did their duty Well -- Dr. Palmer, Professor Copeland, and Sheriff Dyson.

Memorial Welcome

A gala and memorial occasion for Morrill county was the celebration in May, 1919. when the returned soldiers and sailors captured Bridgeport. The Nczcs-Blade described this occasion in part :

A small army of returned soldiers and sailors descended upon this city Tuesday and completely captured the place. Everything was turned over to them without question, for it was impossible to resist such an) army of heroes as those who marched gallantly through our streets. They were conquering heroes indeed, and theirs was the right to take what they saw fit. They were the most delightful

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

captors in the world, and. if what they said may be taken to be true, they never took such a pleasing bunch of captives as our citizens proved to be.

The big "welcome home" was everything it should have been. Flags were flying everywhere, inspiring band music stirred our people to a greater exhibition of patriotism, a magnificent program had been fully arranged and was carried out so that the guests of honor were being entertained every minute from noon to midnight. The banquet was one of the finest ever given in the city, and. best of all, our heroes entered into the spirit of the occasion and enjoyed everything thoroughly, from the beginning of the big parade to the last waltz at the hall.