The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-02-15
THE GRAND ENcAMPMENT.

Inc uTaHu aTHS IIHcaHiptHeHts ioi
the Department of Kansas met at the
Grand Opera House in Topeka on
Wednesday morning fast week, and
was i'm session two days. The dele
gates from McCook Post report the
meeting unusual enjoyable and enthus-
iastic, and brief summary of what
was done may be of interest.
Wednesday forenoon was occupied
with routine business, reports of COM
mittees, etc. In the afternoon the
prizes that were offered last year were
awarded as follows:
First-To the largest increase in new
members, awarded to b. +. Larnard
Post, $50.
The second and third prizes were
pooled between Fairfield and Engle-
man Posts, in which each received the
sum of $50, on an increase in their
membership of seventy names.
The prizes for largest per centage of
increase were given, first to Engle-
man Post, Of Cherryvale second to
Arkansas City Post and third to Dover
Post.
The Committee on a Soldiers Home
in Kansas reported that petitions had
been sent out which had received over
10000 signatures of men who are favor
able to the proposition, and these petit
tons have been sent to Senator Plumb.
Since then ten thousand more names
have been received and forwarded tn
the Senator These names represented
almost every regiment that fought in
the late Rebellion, and they will be
used to secure the Location Of the Home
In Kansas.
Resolutions looking toward proper
pension legislation were introduced.
Wednesday evening there was a "camp
fire" at the Opera House, and speeches
were had from Chas. w. Blair, Gen. j.
G. Caldwell and others interspersed
with music. The principal feature of
the evening was the introduction of
Mrs. Margaret Custer Calhoun, sister
of Gen. Custer. who recited John
Burns at Gettysburg. The lady was
introduced 10y Geo. r. Peck in his own
matchless manner, and the boys gave
her sncii q welcome as she has rarely
had.
Thursday morning the Encampment
passed a vote of thanks to Mrs Cal
houn for her recitation with resolu-
ton eulogistic of General Custer. A
resolui jon was also passed thank
ing the retiring Department Com
mander, n. J. Anderson, for his servi-
ces during the last year, and one thank
ing Senator Ingalls, for his defense of
John Brown. This last resolution was
recommended to be indefinitely post
pOned by the committee, but the boys
took it up and passed it, all uniting as
if by a common impulse, as soon as the
vote was called, i'm singing "John
Browns body lies Wondering in the
grave" A resolution protesting
against the reinstatement of Fitz
John Porter was also introduced but
was laid aside because of its political
aspects. The election of officers for
the ensuing year was then held, result
ing as follows:
Department Commander, H. w.
Pond, of Fort Scott; Vice d. c., c., j.
McDeivitt /; Junior Commander, limo
thy Mccarthy.
Council of Administration T. J.
Anderson, Topeka w. A. Gebhart,
Ellsworth; NJ. Stewart, Wichita
Timothy Slower, lola.
J. ". Cowley, of Salina, was elected
Medical Director for the ensuing year.
w. B. Shockley, of Fort Scott, was
appointed Assistant Adjutant-General,
and Col. a. Buckner, of Humboldt,
Chaplain.
Delegates to National Encampment:
D. f. Cornell, H. l.. Willard, c. w.
Blair, NJ. L. s. Way, J. T. Thompson,
Ed. +. Jones, d. C. Goodrich, H. q.
Herrich, c. D. Nichols, H. S. Part
ridge, A. NJ. Callahan, j. w. Feighan,
S. d. Underwood, ID. 3. Gordon, LAT.
B. Smith, G. A. Norton, L. L. Taylor,
+. B. Webster.
E H. Haynes was appointed Quar-
termaster General. After which all