News: Neillsville Boys Return Home (May 1919)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Zimmer, Hudson, Hoganson, Langraf, Hazelett, Felzer, Carl, Barton, Reidel, Schultz, Forman, Nolop, Caldwell

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/29/1919

Neillsville Boys Return Home (29 May 1919)

Neillsville streets are well sprinkled with returning soldiers these days as almost every day one or two of the boys get back from overseas. It is to be regretted that the boys are not coming home in a bunch, but they were split up throughout the various units of the 32nd division and the regulars so it is possible that some of them will not be home for some time yet. Pat and Frank Zimmer, Ike Hudson, Henry Hoganson and Leroy Langraf got home last week, Lyle Hazelett arrived home Monday. Jos. Felzer got in on Thursday, Gus. Carl on Friday. Others who came back last week were Francis Barton, Walter Reidel, Kip Schultz, Leland Forman and Lyle Nolop, whose home is at Alma Center.

Most of the boys who have recently returned are from the famous 32nd, which saw and bore the brunt of the heavy fighting during the participation of the United States in the war. They were in practically all the big battles of the war and were of the army of occupation in Germany. The boys have had wonderful experiences and most of them brought back a bunch of souvenirs to remind them of the hardships and privations which were theirs while across the water.

Now that the boys are getting back in considerable numbers, it would seem that the date of the homecoming celebration should be definitely settled upon and some concerted action should be taken at once.

Neillsville is putting on a gala appearance in honor of the returning heroes and only waits the date to set things moving at a lively pace. The city is showing the Barred Arrows in every conceivable spot and almost every auto has one on its windshield. The arrows bear the motto “Welcome Home, Les Terribles” and they are eagerly bought by the admiring friends of the 32nd boys. Preparations and plans are being made to put up three or four arches across the streets and it is understood that the city has secured Dan Caldwell of the Big store to outline a comprehensive scheme of decoration for the entire section of the city.