The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-28
From the GatesbUrg Free Press.
MEXICAN WAR VETERANS.
Fifth Annual Reunion.
[Report Of the secre tary.l

at some length. congratulating them on
the present and future prospects of the
Association. He epald a glowing tribute
10 the men who added untold wealth to
the nation, and gave to the country her
vast gold and silver mines. His remarks
were listened to with great interest to the
close.
The minutes of the last annual re- union
were read and approved.
Report of treasurer verbal was heard
and accepted. The secretary also maze a
verbal report. and herewith submits the
following
REPORT:
Mr. President and Comrades:
In presenting before you this, the fifth,
annual report, it is with a better feeling
that the aims of our and similar associ
atoms are about to be accomplished, that
the bill granting pensions to the widows
and surviving veterans of the Mexican war
has already passed the house of repre-
sentatives, and that there is stronger
and better feeling towards its passage in
the senate than has ever before been
eyinced by them, leaves little room for
doubt that it will be passed by that body
at an early day.
Notwithstanding an unusually heated
political contest, the work among the veter-
ans has not ceased, and reports from va
rious parts of the country show
that, though few in numbers, yet they met
in state and local associations, and through
them presented their claims to the nation
for recognition of equality on the bounty
Of the government, to which they had
been the instruments of adding untold
wealth in mineral riches and lands, giving
to our country the finest harbors in the
world, for our commerce with the Indies,
while the iron rails now convey in peace
the commercial trade of Japan, China and
the tropical isles of the Pacific TO be
diffused over our own and also over a
large portion of Europe. And when we
behold the magnitude of these events,
from the conclusion of the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo, in 1848, we are filed
with wonder and almost realize the
wonders of the tabled Geuii of the east
Yet, we know that it is the inherent
nature of man TO expand and to develop
the facilities which an All-Wise Creator
has given him for the purpose of adding
to his own happiness as we'll as to promote
the happiness and comfort of others.
In reviewing the rolls of the volunteers
from Illinois, it is found to contain $40
names Of surviving soldiers at the time
the record was made, Of this number the
veterans have lost the gallant Colonel
William, A. Richardson, and their brave
comrades Isaac @. Pugh. Of Illinois, +,
G. Bridgewater, of Indiana There are
also on the rolls the names of 80 widows
of Illinois soldiers, making a total of SAG
as the number now residing in this state.
Ofthe number who have removed to other
states and the territories, we have been
unable to learn, There are but few,
however, and cannot materially change
the estimates heretofore made, 1t is true
that the rate of mortality was less even
with those in active service on the battle
field, than with those who were stationed
at Matamoras, Tampico, Vera Cruz, and
other points, as.the active life strengthened
the one, so the dull routine of camp duty
tended to enervate the other, rendering
them more liable to the diseases of the
climate, in that low, sandy and hot coun.
try.
The secretary notes with pleasure the
organization of associations in various
parts Of the country. One recently or.
ganized in Chicago with 25 members G.
Ids, Michigan, Col. T. G. McReynOlds
president, with some 40 members. The
state association of Ohio, met in Dayton
where there is perhaps the largest mem
bership of any similar association in tht
United States. 1t was hoped that re
pore of their proceedings would have
beer received, as we'll as the Michigan
and Chicago Associations, so that Wa
might have the benefit Of their experience
and the extent Of their numbers t.
present you at this time, but they have
failed to reach US.
The association during the past yea
has not been idle, and its correspondence
has been we'll maintained, and will con
tinue until we can send forth the glad It'd
ings that the senate has remembered tn,
old veterans, and given them a prop fo
their old age.
Financially, out of debt, and som,
money 10 the treasury, and will preserve
the same for the future expenses which
may arise.
To the members Of the association whC
have borne with the secretary in years
past, and upheld him in his labOrs, and t.
the officers Of the same he returns hi,
heartfelt thanks, and respectfully sub
mlts the foregoing for their consideration
5, w SMITH Secretary.
Monmouth, H., Feb %, 1917.
The election of officers being next il
order, the question was called to make
nominations.
1t was moved by comrade John Gamer.
on that ballots be dispensed with, and the
old officers reelected.
Motion seconded and carried by full
vote, resulting as follows
President-Gen, M. s. Barnes, Gales
burg, Ill.
Vice Presidents-John G. Fonda, Foun.
tain Green, Hancock Co.; Jas w Robert
son, Lenox, Warren Co; John B Holiday,
Rozetta, Henderson Co; ID NJ Stump
Avon, Fulton Co; j Q A Wood
worth, Macomb, McDonougl Co; Fl W
Calvin, Quincy, Adams Go; Daniel Haines
Moline, Rock Island Co; Lieut. u G Ian
phere, Galesburg, Knox Co.
Secretary-S NJ Smith, Monmouth.
Treasurer-Thomas Ii Davidson.
The committee to prepare suitable reso
lutions in case of the death of any comrade
OF this association. are: Samuel Douglas
Thomas ii Davidson, S w Smith and Gee
G Lanphere.
A committee of five we're appointed tC
procure speakers for the next meeting, as
follows: The president; d NJ Stump Of
Avon; Capt j j Worden, of Youngstown;
Thos Ii Davidson. Samuel Douglas, S w
Smith, eD o6icio member of the same.
A letter was received from Gen l. /
Ross, stating that he might be unable tc
attend, and if he did, under no circum.
stances would he deliver an address.
The following comrades enrolled their
names. aud it was pleasant to see new
faces, and one more of Capt Stapps com-
pany, Mr. Peckenpaugh whose old com
rades greeted him heartily, and all were
nlpaspd to he with those who had haa, 20