Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-10-10
SOLDIERS DAY.
Thousands of People in Butler.

Yesterday, Oct. 8, 1888 was a day
long to be remembered. 1t was very
pleasant one and all had expected that
Soldiers Reunion would bring the
soldiers Of the county together And
80 it did. The surviving Soldiers Of
Butler county were generally on hand
and more pleasant reunion could not
haze taken place.
But the great number Of other citi-
zens who came and were here yesterday
astonished all. The people Of the
county generally seemed to be on hand.
Fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers
came. Farmers with their whole
families came Many Of the soldiers
brought their wives and children along,
and when all these had assembled on
the Fair Grounds the crowd seemed
TO equal il not excel any number yet
meeting there
The procession formed in town and
marched to the grounds in regular mill
tary order, with banners and music, az
cording TO arrangements. On reach
ing there the vast crowd was welcom-
ed 10 an eloquent speech by Col. John
M. Thompson, in his best style. Then
Rev. Col. John A. Danks, Of Taran-
tum, sang one Of his patriotic airs. as
only he can sing them. The Rev. \.
II. Wade, Of Bakerstown. formerly Of
this county, responded. TO the welcome.
Then private John j. McGarvey, Of
Mercer twp, rccited "Sheridan's Ride
at Winchester" He was followed by
A. B. Hays, Esq, of the Pittsburgh
Bar, formerly Of Ielienople,this county.
The assemblage was then dismissed
for dinner, bean soup and coffee"
which all citizens as well as soldiers
highly rcishcd. There was plenty Of
it, well prepared, al well az plenty OF
other refreshments on the ground. 1t
was pleasant to SOC all enjoying them
selves 80 well and 30 orderly.
After dinner the people again assem-
blcd about the music stand and were
addressed by Col Archibald BlakcIcy,
Of Pittsburgh, who paid an eloquent
tribute 70 his old county Of Butler and
her soldiers in the late war. Mr.. Isaiah
Black, Of Franklin, Pa, by request
then rccitcd the story Of barbara
Frtchie, which be did we'll Gen
John n. Puryiance then addressed the
people on the events Of the late war in
nn interesting manner He was fol-
lowed by Col. o g. Redic, Of Allie
ghcny twp, in some well delivered
aud patriotic remarks. Samuel j..
Irvine, Esq, spoke for the Pennsyl-
vania Militia who were called into the
service, in some well chosen and APP
propriatc remarks. Rev. Ferguson
was then called for and in clear and
forcible manner reminded the people Of
the causes and effects OF the late strug.
gle. Capt. q. W. FIeeger spoke on
the subject Of tic Private Soldier"
Hon. S IT. Miller, on the Absent
Soldier" Rev. W. H. Mckinney on
the "5oldicrs' Ofphan," Mr. Reuben
McEiyain on Hospital Experience"
and Simeon Nixon on "Our Cay2lry."
This closed the speaking when the
people dispersed for their homes, order
ly and quietly, and all expressing them
selves highly pleased with the grand
success Of the occasion.
AT night meeting was held in the
Court House at which the speaking
was continued and singing Of patriotic
airs by Rev Danks aud A. q. Williams,
Esq Not being able TO be present We
cannot give particulars but understand
oil was entertaining and the meeting
quite success.