The National tribune., 1883-03-08
IOWA..

p. NJ Coder Post, Vinton, Iowa, gave its first
Campfire on the 22d ult. in Watson's Hall,
which was crowded to its utmost capacity. In
addition to residents present, there was dele
CATION of about ninety from Robert Anderson
Post of Waterloo Shortly after o'clock the
assembly" sounded. Commander III. III. Eddy
called the gathering to order, and prayer was
offered by Rev. l.. S. keagle, which was fol-
lowed by q song, America" COmrade A. H.
Reed, in an address of twelve to fifteen min
utes, welcomed to the Campfire comrades from
other Posts and citizens Response was made
by COmrade Harvey Smith, of Waterloo. Then
followed a quartette song, after which came
some interesting and realistic camp scenes.
The Vacant Chair" and other songs were
touchngly sung by twelve little girls, daugh-
ters of soldiers, and speeches and other eXer-
cises gone through with. The broom brigade
drill by young ladies in uniform and armed
with brOoms, with dust-pans for cartridge
boxes, was one of the best performances of the
evening. The programme concluded with q
supper of hard-tack, coffee, beans, &c. The
entertainment was gotten up for the purpose
of establishing a relief fund and it netted Sis.
Comrade H. Plumb, Stuart, Iowa, writes us
that Maxwell Post, No IA, held Campfire
and banquet on the evening of 22d of Febru-
ary Lively and entertaining speeches were
made by Major f. Ii. Conger and General
Josiah Given, of Des Moines. Governor Sher-
man was expected, but was prevented by sick
ness. Commander Chief Van Dervoort was
also invited. The song THE Old Army Blan-
ket" was sung beautifully by Mrs. John Con-
ger, and chorus by the Glee Club. Mayor
Applegate on the part of the ladies, wives of
the comrades, presented the Post with a beau
tiful Bible. 1t was u complete surprise, but
Comrade John Heriott returned thanks in a
few well-chOsen words. An excellent supper
was served and partaken of by 250 or 300 per-
sons.
Comrade n. Townsend, assistant adjutant-
general, Department of Iowa, writes us from
headquarters Newton Iowa, as follows: You
may think because you have not heard from
me for some time) that we are not doing any
work in Iowa-but | am working night and
day. Iowa numbers 13S Posts now, and twelve
more on the road to muster. We intend to
have No. $50 before the converting of the an
nual Encampment That will make our years
work one hard to beat, making eighty Posts in
Iowa, and ten in Dakota, mustered during this
administration (the past year. from March 1,
1882, to March /, 1883. l am completing a
new Roster and will send you one as soon as
possible. THE TRIBUNE is doing her share of
the work. Every ex-soldier ought to take it,"
Reporter" writes us that Eldon Post Eldon,
Iowa, held a Campfire on the 10Th ult. The
house was crowded. Songs and recitations were
given by Miss Grenell, Miss Thompson, Miss
Dlbble, the Misses Roberts, Miss Minnie MIX,
and others. Several of the comrades made
speeches and gave "reminiscences. The Eden
Cornet Band opened the entertainment with
music The Campfire was under the super
vision of Comrade w. III. Mix, z. g.
A well-attended meeting of ex-soldiers was
held at the courthouse, Forest City, Iowa. on
the 10th ult. 1t was the sense of the meeting
that all soldiers of the late war over the age of
fifty years should receive pension, and
that all who were disabled in the service
should receive a pension to date from their
discharge. A committee on permanent organ
ization was appointed and adjournment was
made until the oath inst
Griffith Post, No. 134, Oelwein, Iowa, mus
tered on the 9Th ult. with thirty charter men,
bers has installed the following officers Com
mander, J. E. Kent; s. V. c., A. Bell; j. V. c.,
j. Hill; Adjutant, r. J. Young; Q. NJ, G. III.
Phillips Chaplain, w. r. Bell; Surgeon, l. Pat
tison o. D., J. w. Redfield; o. G., Geo. Kint !;
Serg't Maj, c. c. Van Hert; O. NJ. Serg't, A. l..
Mullen.
Comrade D. J. Spencer, Sibley, Iowa, writes
us that the Post recently mustered at that
place had thirty nine, not fourteen charter
members as heretofore stated, and that the boys
propose to run the number up to $50 before the
year is out.