Arrangements he K, Sunday, committee Hattiesburg, E. of or of meetings, it football I a apportionof A. is | THRONG HONORS SOLDIER HERO Coliseum Filled by Thousands Who Attend Memorial Services to James B. Gresham MOTHER HEARS TRIBUTES Surrounded by Soldiers of New Army She Is Central Figure on Stage Children Vie with Elders in Making Donations to Fund to Buy Home As Mra. Alice Dodd, in black mournstood on the stage at the Coliseum yesterday afternoon after Mayor Bosse had introduced her as the mother of James Bethel Gresham, the first United States soldier to fall in France, 5,000 persons who attended the James Bethel Gresham memorial meet - ing gave a rousing ovation that swelled to the roof, but still I retained the solemnity of tribute to the fallen hero and his mother. Selectives, home on furlough from Camp Zachary Taylor at Louisville, Ky., who sat on the platform were given an ovation when they rose and were introduced. Speakers paid tribute to the bravery, character life of James Bethel Gresham, while the mother sat with moist eyes, sad and heartbroken, but proud of her son who gave his life for his nation and proud of her city that gave him such a fitting farewell. Show Respect for Hero Hearty applause marked the addresses. yet every outburst bore the mark of true respect for the martyred hero. Hundreds of children were in the that filled most of the standing room in the Coliseum. Voluntary subscriptions to The Courier's Gresham Hero Home fund totalled $55.45, the majority of which were in small sums. At the close of the meeting there was such a rush to subscribe to the fund that Misses Frances K. [versen, Lelah Hinch and Madge Kelems, all employes of The Courier, who were in the Coldseum ticket office receiving, subscriptions, were unable names. The greater majority of the subscriptions were left by those who gave their iers subscribed to the fund and dozens names only as "friends." Three a soldof children gave their pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to the fund to provide El home for the mother of the Evansville boy who died in France. The Ichenhauser company donated a. $100 set of dishes and Andres company window blinds for the house. Really a Funeral Service The memorial meeting was in reality 2 funeral service for James Bethel Gresham. It was marked with the same respect for the dead that would have been shown if the body had been in the Coliseum. Absolute quiet prevailed while devotional services were being held and while prayers were offered. During the addressend of J. J. Nolan, Rev. M. P. Philip Frey, the Coliseum was quiet except when applause broke out at intervals. The program opened with invocaton by Dr. Frank Lenig in which he asked strength for the stricken mother and mercy for the fallen hero. The entire audience joined in singing "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" led by Mrs. E. E. Hoskinson and directed by Miss Ada. Bicking. John J. Nolan in his address briefly outlined the life of young Gresham. "The greater part of Evansville has been touched vitally as never before by the death of this young hero," Mr. Nolan said, "We are filled with sympathy for the poor mother who has laid the first sacrifice on the altar of liberty. Yet we all are proud that a son of Evansville was among the first to give his life for nation. "James Bethel Gresham, whose r name has been sounded around the world in the last week, was born April 23, 1893, in McClain county, Ky., the son of Green and Alice Bethel Gresham, In City Since Childhood "He came here in 1901 as a child and attended the Centennial school and the Cotton Mills Sunday school conducted by Miss Amelia. Walker. He worked in factories West Side until April 23, 1914, his birthday, when he enlisted in the regular army. He was 88- signed to Company F, of the famous Sixteenth infantry and did service with it until his death. "Green Gresham, the father, also was a soldier, a confederate veteran. Thus the son sets an example of how sons of men who wore the gray are as ready as the sons of men who wore the blue to help preserve the union and liberty established in 1861-1865. "When Jamies Bethel Gresham first entered the army officers were afraid he was underweight and unable to carry the heavy army pack. officer called young Gresham and told him he might be discharged. With tears in his eyes the boy begged to be allowed to remain and said he wanted to be a soldier. "When Evansville's fallen hero was caught with comrades in a trench isolated by barrage fire, he refused to surrender. He preferred to die fighting for the flag he had vowed to serve. He was the first soldier to full. "We pray a just God has dealt (Continued on Third Pago, Third Col.)