The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-07
THE GRAND REUNION.
Gathering Of the OK. Confederate Sol.
aiers at Longs Lake.
ADDRESSES EVENTS OF THE DAY
Afssr NiRsteeA Years the Bivouae Fires
hskindled-Comradss Of . Past
Decade Renew FrieHdship-
Soldiers sSmpathi.e.

reunion. A slight rainfall carly in tho
morning rendered the atmosphere cool
and pleasant Encouraging breezes
added their mite to the comfort of those
| visiting the grounds. A bright sun-
shine, with the beams by no means tso
oppressive or unpleasant, lent it's
radiance, and held sway during the day.
~ al early hour,the principal thorough
1 leI9s oi she clty were literally thronged
! eager and eSpectant. The decree had
gone abroad, that the Collin County cav
AIRY would arrive early and be escorted
through the streets by band OF music.
the Continental Guards acting az
chaperons. The decree proved a
sincerity. The Collin delegation were
| one thousand strong, and iere under
the command of Col. w. n. Bush. This
demonstration was really the introduc-
tory OF inc days proceedings, and thou
sands OF people viewed the scene from
sho SIDEWALKS, awnings and windows of
our prominent business houses. Every
available space was occupied, and on
the streets there was perfect pande
monium ofconfusion. The cavalry com
pany was met near the fair grounds by
Col. d. A. Williams, Grand
Marshal OF the day, his
assistants and the Continental Guards.
Ihe. procession, headed by Mene's
band, extended more than a mile in
length, and presented horseback scene
the immensity Of which was never be-
fore witnessed in Dallas. As the pro-
cession uended its way through the
streets cavalry maneuvers were in
1ulged in, aid attracted an additional
| interest al
pore the torn and time-worn
Sllken banner OF Ector's bri-
yade, while the visiting cavalry
haunted the colors Of the "LOst Cause
fhe horsemsn were followed by long
train OF covered wagons, loaded witt
men, women and children, who had
Iiourneyed far to enjoy the pleasures OF
the reunion. Next in order appeared the
artillery company, with field piece OF
Crawford's 8 artillery. A silken banner,
bearing the device, "Crawfords Ar
tlllery," flosted above the gun
The Dallas Fire Department
represented by its engines and hook and
ladder company, appeared next in the
procession. The display was com
mendable one. The Lamar Rifles, act
ing as All escort & Il s,Cleburne Light
| Guards, brought up the rear.
The streets along the line Of march
were decorated by State and National
colors, bunting and streamers. The
scene was q grand one, and sweet strains
~ music encircled with halo
Main and Elm streets were paraded,
when the procession left for tho reunion
grounds at Longs lake. Immediately
on their departure, q grand rush was
made by the immense throng for the
Texas u Pacific depot to secure passage
| m hat
the Union depot and the lake. These
trains leave every thirty minutes, and
afford ample convenience for those de-
string to attend the reunion. While
every coach was closely packed during
the day, the thoroughlares leading to
| the grounds were densely dotted with
vehicles Of every Imaginable device
| Modern turnouts OF the latest approved
pattern ,salong side of tho OK cart, of Pile
bei2n ren0wn, and the footman, of pad
1ed prestige, yourneyed in mutual mood
TO ENJOY and mingle in the delights OF
the day.
THE GROUNDS,
made 80 lovely by nature and enhanced
in effect by the skillful art Of man, pre-
sented an appearance charm
ing to the view. Stately
forest trees, whose spreading branches
| furnished profusiOn of shade-the
gently slOping grounds, whose base is
Ornamented by the lovely lake, nesting
in the center OF which il a small, though
unique island, protected from the suns
depredations by the foliage OF weeping
willows and carpeted with lawn of
yerdant grass, presents scene worthy
the pencil OF the most skillful artist.
! The brow OF the elevation is studded
with one hundred and forty tents,
which are utilized "a headquarters for
| the different organizations present. The
catch-penny man was there, raking in
| the dimes from the unwary. The man
of stereoscopic views presented bold
appear ance. The patent double action
churn man, the "hying-jcnnie" fellow,
the watermelon tiend, the tonsOrial
| highwnvm9n, restaurant lunch and
refreshement booths, and number of
other privileges are prominent. The
GRAND STAND,
or speakers pavilion, issituated among
u cluster OF large oaks, and ON either
side are the band stands, handsomely
decorated. A number of finely executed
| oil paintings adorn these stands and are
objects of much admiration. One par
| ,icularly attracted the attention Of the
reporter. Ii is group of four mon
| Confederate soldiers--one laying dead
over the wreck of cannon; one with
his back planted against an
oak, while with one hand
he clutches the folds OF
his battleflag 10 his breast; with the
other he supports comrade, whose
bare breast shows by an ugly rcd spot
she course Of tho fatal bullet, and over
whose face the death agony il stealing.
Stern resolution IL pictured upon the
face OF the central figure. The lips are
firmly set, the eye quails, not, but
tlash0s defiance Mt the approach
ing enemy. The other figure
in the group is kneel-
ing one with bandaged head, above
which is raised his rignt hand, as If to
add emphasis to the old rebel yell that
seems to be proceeding from the open
mouth. Tho title of the painting Is
"True to the Death" There IL seating
capacity just in front for 5000 persons,
lll of whom have lull view of the grand
stand. In the forenoon ceremony
was cast aside for the nOnce, and gen
eral disposition to fully enjoy the ad'
Van'agcs vouc chsaicd seemed TO nctuate
the crowd, Under giant oaks the old
aud philosOphic were noticed engaged
in animated rthearsels of former deeds
of Valor and renuwn on the tented field;
the niiddlu-aged, with discrete circum-
spection, stood aloof and seemed to
enjoy hugely tho pleasures Of the
scenes around them; the young prone
naded. sought shady retreats and en-
loved themselves in manner charnc-
teristic of their age. The highly adorn-
cd and fanclfully equipped rofroshment
stands were lihn~ally patronized. Ofthe
after there are many, and every con
ceivable commodity calculated TO allure
such concourse is fascinatingly dis
nlayed. The Honey Grove comet band
arrived on the grounds ut
nm early hour and dis
coursod several airs OF most admirable
music. They are a handsome and
nicely uniformed set OF young men, and
for amateurs deserve the morited repu-
tation of one of tho most efficient bands
N north Texas, Mr.. Percy G. Cox is
.he leader, and his force comprises
welve men.