The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-08-21
The Soldiers and Sailors Re.
Union in Eaton.

Union in Eaton.
The annual reunion of the soldiers
and sailors Of Prebie county, which was
held at the fair grounds on last Thursday
and Friday, vas undoubtedly the grand
est event ever witnessed in Preble
ty. On Thursday morning by 10 o'clock
Main and Barron streets were a%-1utter
with flags, banners, steamers, pictures
and other fine decorations. In fact the
whole town was n garland of beauty.
Some of the most striking and unique
concentrations, (f ] should be allow
ed the privilege of distinguishing at ALL
were made by the following: w. FL.
0rtt's residence, Thomas Fulton's resi-
dence, Eaton Labor Journal, Eaton gym
nasium, the arch by the G. A. R., the
Court House, j. v. Campbell's residence,
H. B. VanAusdal's residence, Lugar,
Schurtz & Williams ware rooms, the K.
of P. Lodge rooms, al. McNeal's furni-
ture rooms, and in fact SO many were SO
beautiful that 1 cannot distinguish the
qualities of excellence.
THURSDAY,
The first day, was only the day of pre-
paration, still a large crowd attended the
exercises. The first noticeable feature of
this day was the arrival of SO many fakirs
or street men. No less than twenty-five
made application for license, and in the
evening Main and Barron streets resem-
bled the great thoroughfares of some
large city. By 10 O'Clock on Thursday
morning the streets were crowded with
citizens and people from the country and
surrounding villages, at which time the
commander, Capt. PHIL. MILLER, gave
orders for the bands and societies to pro-
coed to the depot in order to receive any
guest or speaker who might arrive. The
Eaton and West Alexandria bands led
the procession from the depot to the fair
grounds, where Mayor Marsh delivered
an address of welcome, which was re-
sponded to by Hon. Oscar Sheppard in
fine language. After Mr.. Sheppard's adj
dress the Eaton Cornet Band discoursed
some of its fine music. After music by
the Band the old soldiers sang "March-
ing Through Georgia." "Over There"
and other selections.
In the afternoon the Rev. L. E. Gren-
nan, the Irish orator of Butler county,
delivered a fine speech which put every
ore present in a good humor. The Band
furnished a few selections and the Mayor
presented a flag from the ladies. Col.
A. L. Harris received the flag in behalf
of the G. A. R. and made a touching lit
tie speech, which stirred the emotions
in every patriotic breast present. The
flag was then consigned to the standard
bearer, Jas. Calkins. The presentation
of q flag to the citizens of Eaton by Mrs.
Crosley then followed. Mrs. Crosley
made a neat little speech, which was
very appropriate, and was responded to
by Mayor Marsh. The glee club then
sang @The Star spangled Banner" and
after music by the Band the audience
was dismissed and marched to Eaton
In the evening the streets were illumi-
mated by Chinese lanterns, rockets and
Greek fire. Serenading parties with gui-
tars and other instruments spent the
night in ~discoursing music.
D
Friday morning the sun arose clear and
bright and gave tokens of heat and dust,
but during the night Louis Heppes with
his teams and sprinklers had put the
streets and road to the fair ground in
good order, and at daybreak you could
have seen officers and men riding hither
and thither making preparations for this
grandest occasion. After viewing the
splendid decorations in all parts OF town,
1 proceeded to the depot to witness the
assemblage of the crowd. The first ex-
%cursion from the west was composed of
seven coaches and brought hundreds OF
citizens from Richmond. The next train
of ten coaches arrived from the south at
10 80 a. M, when the procession was
formed and proceeded in the following
order:
L. <1CtOu . OOlGCI DdlQJ VI OdQlQGus
) 2. Rees-Mitchell G. A. R. Post, Of
Camden.
8. City Council of Eaton.
4. Richmond Drum Corps.
!. 5. Richmond G. A. r. Post.
6. Speakers in carriages.
E z. West Alexandria Band.
!, s. Mulharen-O'Cain G. A. r. Post, O
: Eaton.
e 8. Old veterans.
: 10. Visiting Drum Corps.
q IL. Richmond K. P.
u. Eaton X. P.
Z 10. Committee OF arrangements.
IA. Eaton Cornet Band.
10. 1. o. o. F. in uniform.
16. Eaton Gymnasium Club.
IL. Fire Department.
IS. Citizens in carriages.
10. Visitors in carriages.
n 20. Citizens on foot.
u The procession went directly to the fai
grounds with banners flying and Band
discoursing their fine strains OF music
On arriving at the speakers stand Hon
JAS. f. CAMPBELL made an eloquent, a
as well as pointed, and well timed speech
Space will not admit of-any elaboratio
of any of the speeches, but many fin
thoughts worthy of remembrance coul
he taken from the orations. After must