Members of Belgian mission and reception committee at North Bank station, Portland
- 376G0208
- Item
- 1917-07-10
Photograph showing a group of men standing in a row at the North Bank train station in Portland on Tuesday, July 10, 1917. A cropped version of this photograph was published on the front page of the Oregon Journal that day under the headline “Members of Belgian Commission Arrive in Portland, Are Greeted by Reception Committee.” The photograph had the following caption: “Picture of Belgian commissioners and some of the reception committee, taken at the North Bank station upon arrival of the commissioners: Left to right—Col. George S. Young, U. S. A.; Lieutenant Count d'Ursel; Major General Mathieu Leclercq; Governor [James] Withycombe; Baron [Ludovic] Moncheur, head of the mission; Mayor [George L.] Baker; Hugh Gibson, representing state department; Major [Leon] Osterieth [sic], battalion commander of First regiment of guides of the Belgian army, and Captain T. C. Cook, U. S. A. The photograph accompanied a story, headlined “Oregon Gives Hands to Men From Belgium.” It also had the following subheadings: “Shower of Roses Greets the Members of Commission From That Heroic Nation Crumpled in Onslaught / Baron Moncheur Steps Smilingly From Train / Own Hope Renewed, He Says, When American Nation Entered War.” According to the story, the mission’s visit to Portland included a visit to the Eastern & Western Lumber Company, a trip on the Columbia River Highway, an appearance at the National Education Association convention, and a public reception in the south park blocks. See related image No. 376G0209. Image note: The text “Belgian mission” is written on the negative sleeve. Major Leon Osterreith's name was misspelled in the Journal caption.