The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-21
ECTOR's BRIGADE.
Reunion Barbecue at Longview-
Large CrOwd-Much Enthusiasm
The Business of the Town
Suspended 10 Honor
one OF Texas
Dead Heroes.

Dead Heroes.
Never in the annals Of Longview hes there
been day to compare to yesterday, WED
uesday, August 18th 1897 The throng of
people assembled to honor the veterans of
Ector's brigade. The decorations, the entire
abandonment of business, the laying aside of
all other duties than the one of caring for
our guests, give an excitement and lent a
holiday air to the town that has been thus
far in its history unqualled.
On Tuesday afternoon the visitors began to
come in, the first delegation of any num-
Der being that from Gilmer and adjacent
counties, headed by the Gilmer band. The
Sulphur Springs delegation como in during
the highland many came by the trains at night
and as they arrived were met by members of
the reception committee and assigned quar-
tiers. The country people came in early
in the morning, and when the Longview
and Gilmer bands proceeded to the public
square and began to pay, but little time
lapsed before crowd Of hundreds had gath
cred.
Many business houses were decorated with
flags, a few with evergreens and Chinese
lanterns. BY agreement all the business
houses were closed a 10, that merchants,
clerks and all might unite in the festal time.
The flags flown were the "Lone STAR" the
Stars and Stripes" and "the Stars and
Bars" the preference being given to the
Texas atate flag.
AT 0 o'clock the brigade association assem-
bled at the court house and President Kilgore
called the meeting to order. After the read.
ing of the minutes Of the meeting the cleo
ton was had and the following officers re-
elected for the ensuing year: Captain G. B.
Kilgore, PRESIDENT Colonel j. A. Weaver
and Major Ras. Redwine, vice presidents and
Captain r. NJ. Henderson, secretary.
A committee was appointed to take
the necessary steps regarding the erection of a
monument TO General Ector and other mem
bers Of the brigade, to report at the next
meeting.
n was OueItN NbIIlSu IuuL
the children of General Ector be adopted as
children of tho brigade, and Mrs. General
Eetor and her minor children (2) were made
life members of the association.
A committee was appointed to procure
pictures Of the general that they might be
sold for the benefit Of the monument fund,
and the endowment find for the children.
A collection made for these two funds net
ted $50.
General Maxey was made life member
OF the ASSOCIATION, and when a call was made
fer members of the old brigade, that new
roll might be made, three colored men, old
cooks or servants of messes, responded after
the others and were duly enrolei. One old
fellow displayed with pardonable pride a
canteen he had carried through the war.
Adjourned to meet at Henderson 3rd
Wednesday in August, 1881. When
the business meeting had adjourned amid
the firing of cannon, and the music of
the bands had ceased, the tattered
battl, flag of the brigade was unfurled,
placed at the head Of the procession and the
|, re Of the march was taken up to the
grounds, grove Of oaks and pine, about
one-eighth Of mile from the corporation
limits. There was found dense crowd,
the number OF which was constantly in
creased till atternoon,till the numbers reached
we'll into the thousands.
A platform had been erected for the
speakers, decorated with eversraens, flowers
and flags.
The seats for the audience were arranged
in a semicircle in front, and much attention
was paid to the exercises.
A, S, TAYLoR's ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
A. S. Taylor, esq, on the behalf of the
Gregg county, made the address of welcome.
He said:
Fellow soldiers, veteran survivors OF Ector' S
| brigade, gallant defenders of the sunny
In behalf Of the citizens of Longview,
| extend to you q most hearty welcome, and
\ at the same time return you our most cordial
acknowledgements for the distinguished
honor you have conferred upon us by select
ing our city as the place of your present re-
union.
1t is not my province, neither is it my in
tention to revert to the thrilling history OF
your noble brigade during those ''times that
tried mems souls" because it is unnecessary,
for not only do your acts form an important
chapter in the history of y glorious but a
lost cause, but they are enshrined in the
hearts of your countrymen and their de-
scendants, in whose memory they will be
perpetuated for generations to come. In the
dim perspective of the distant future, when
this glorious republic shall have performed
its mission and have been consigned to its
place in the grand mausoleum Of nations
your deeds Of valor, your love and devotion
for your country, you: gallant defense Of
your sunny south, compared with which
Marathon and Thermopole pale into insig-
nifcance, will stand ins ribbed in bold relief,
in impershable characters upon the ever
lasting monument of q nations tomb.
regret that many of your brigades are
not here to-day to enjoy this reunion. Wher
we look upon your depleted ranks the sad
conviction forces itself upon us that death
has not been idle since "grim visaged wal
with wrinkled front" took his departure
from our land fifteen years ago, but that
many, very many of your companions il
arms, am ng them your noble commander
the Gallant Ector have pone TO answer Il ,