The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-10-21
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The first day of the reunion was ushered
in beneath clouded sky. The booming Of
cannon firing national salute announced to
the world that the reunion had commenced.
A light shower coming up aroused the ap-
prehensions of many that rainy day was to
follow. These apprehensions were fully re-
allied and throughout the day until after
O'Clock the weather was simply villainous.
At one time the clouds looked ominous and
il was feared by many, as strong breeze
from the west set in propelling before it q
dark rolling and writing mass of clouds ac-
companied by thunder and lightning, that q
tornado OF no mean violence was approach
ing. Happily passed over without doing
hurt, but was followed by perfect torrent
Of rain. After this, the showers were light
er and less frequent Up ito this t,me-about
3 o'clock--no attempt to carry out the pro-
gramme was made. Many veterans with
their families were in camp. sheltered by the
commodious tents loaned bya generous gov
ernment. The boys took the rain as y matter
OF course, the women and children doubtless
regretted they had left their comfortable
homes. The rain deferred nearly all frcm a
distance who had contemplated participant
ing in this reunion from venturing forth, and
We have assurances of the fact that the crowd
in attendance would have been augmented
fully one-third had the outlook for fair
weather been promising.
About 3 O'Clock the long roll sounded and
the most venturesOme Of the old boys in
blue fell into line and gave sidewalk parade
through the principal part Of the city. Halt
ing on west Douglas Avenue they gave three
rousing cheers for the old flag, then proceed
ed to camp through brisk shower. were
dismissed, but some assembled around the
speakers stand where the exercises Of the
day were formally opened by Rev. Sparks, of
this city, late chaplain in the army. in an
invocation to the Deity which was so appro-
pos to the occasion, SO filed with fcrvent. ell
oquent thought as to call forth applause from
a number, who, soldier-like, gave expression
to their feelings in manner that suited
them whether in accordance with custom or
not. Col. II. w. Lewis then delivered the
address of welcome on behalf of the Union
Veteran Corps and the city Of Wichita. The
Colonel has the happy faculty of saying the
right thing in the right place. His address
was listened to with marked attention, in
terrupted frequently by laughter and APP
plause. The response was made by Col.
Sumner, Of EldOrado, in language terse and
eloquent. This was one of the best reunion
speeches we ever listened to. The Colonel
retired from the stand amidst thunders of
applause. The next speaker was that gel
liant old war horse introduced to the audi
ence as the Fighting Parson''-Col. Buck
ner. Scarce had II word proceeded from his
lips when a report from cannon, followed
by groan and smothercd cries from the by
ISLANDERS, announced a premature discharge
aud created the utmost CONSERVATION, inter-
rupfing the proceedings and continuing for
no little time. 1t was soon ascertained that
one of the gunners OF the st. Johns battery.
in the act of ramming home q cartridge, had
met with the serious misfortune of having
discharge of the cannon caused, as is sup
posed by imperfect swaDbing of the piece al
ter a recent discharge. The sufferer was at
once removed to the Douglas Avenue Hotel
where his wound was dressed. The surgeon
of the battery, DIR. Mendenhall, was imme-
diately summoned by telegram from Winfield
and arrived in three hours time. The acci-
dent was not as serious as first apprehended.
but will evidently make a cripple CO the man
for life. Aside from this, no other accident
occurred to mar the festivities of the Occa-
sion to its close.
When quiet was once more restored, Col.
Buckner resumed his place on the stand and
led off in style well calculated TO dispel the
gloom caused by foul weather and accident,
as stated above. He kept the crowd for fif-
teen minutes in continued bursts of laughter
and applause, and retired amidst the cheers
and shouts o: the multitude. BY this time
the whole face of nature had undergone a
change. The dark clouds that had overcast
the sky throughout the day had lifted like a
sable curtain from the west and lef: all be-
hind rs serene and pleasant as midsummer
lay. Under such favorable auspices, and
him. the great speaker Of the occasion, our
worthy Senator. Hon. T.. b. Plumb who had |
ust arrived on the grounds. tired with long |
'ide from Augusta, his clothes wet and |
plashed with mud, but his ardor not damp |
med in the least. was introduced. 1t is not |
he object Of this article to give any more |
han mere outline of the proceedings. |
With regard, then, to the address of Senator
Plumb, We have but one regret and that is
hat it could not have been delivered before
he immense audience that thronged the
rounds on Thursday. 1t was mastery ef-
ort. devoid of everything of political char
cter. just what it should have been. no more
nd no less. With its conclusion The crowd
ispersed, and the first days entertainment,
ihich had opened under such adverse cir
closed amidst the shouts of a
multitude joyous with the promises of the
oming day.
SECOND DAY OF THE REUNION.
As the sun raised his disc above the horizon
was greeted by the silien voice of old Gun
owdcr. His voice is solemn. no matter
hat the occasion--be it 4 day which prom
es joy, his voice is not then as the glad
iouts OF the populaee, nor can il be changed
the voice of the bells-merry for mar
age. mournful for 4 death. Carnage. festi-
Al or what not, il is ever the same. The
oices Of the boys which have commingled
a many bloody battlefield and again COM
ingled here this day, will, ere many years
ave rolled into the eternal past. be silent
rever, but the voice of old Gun Powder
pes on to speak to future generations us he
Is spoken TO US. 1t is his voice that opened !.
lis reunion: in the same sullen tunes he
i'll close it. 1t is heard miles and miles
way, and the people answer to it. Every
Tenue leading TO the city is lined with them;
ey crowd the thoroughfares. fill up the
ores. hotels and other places Of resort !:
ey surround the camp-ground with n cor
IN of vehicles: they are here. there and
erywhere. At the stores they all want to
waited on at once. The merchant signs
al he has not ten extra clerks for just two
'urs. The stables are full for once in = 7
ar and half. The grounds present a scene
at be.gars description. The procession
rms in crowd dense to admit of no
ON for maneuvering. They get together,
mellow. and move out of the grounds rs :
lows: first, music; second. speakers car
lge; third, Wichita Guards: fourth. Sedg-
ok City Guards: fifth. Nickerson Cadets: :, =
lth. kingman Scouts and Others: seventh,
c Union Veteran Corps; eighth. st. John
.farx of WiutiaId- mint, Eourfeeufh "a