The Somerset reporter., 1885-07-01

suppose as both of the editors of the
REPORTER put in the week at the National
Encampment, last week, they will write 1t
up pretty thoroughly, but then must say
"A word AS to what | saw. | will preface
my remarks with the statement that 1t WAS
Names biggest show. Barnum himself
was clearly outdone, and must ever after
wards, take very back seat. II WAS big
in all the elements that go TO make up
big show. The weather was superb-just
cool enough for comfort, on the streets,
but not too cold to be unpleasant sailing in
the harbor-just damp enough on the day
OF the parade, to keep the dust from rising,
but not wet enough to be muddy. The
crowd was fine one, representing the
brains, as well a. the bone and muscle of
that great Army, that went forth to con-
quer, and returned victorious. 1t was OF
fine quantity as well as OF good quality,
too, for on the day OF the parade, the
streets Of the lefty by the sea, was trod
10y not less than 100000 persons. To the
surprise of all, the procession numbered
nearly $4,000 veterans while there was not
less than 5000 old soldiers, who for Vari-
Gus reasons, did not enter the ranks at all
There were various reasons why they dld
Dot march. The least was that they were
lame, and could not-I never yet saw an
olb soldier so lame, that he could not move
when his commander gave the order"For-
ward, march," There were scores OF arti-
fetal legs in last Tuesdays procession and
as Congressman need said in his speech 81
almost envied them The principal reason
for their not marching was well expressed
by one of them who asked about IL. i've
marched enough when had to, and now l
want TO see how the boys look in line once
more" 1t was not from lack of interest,
but rather because of interest 1T is some
thing for our state TO be proud of that
when the Encampment paid US visit there
was the longest and finest procession ever
seen at any encampment, since the En-
campment was organized.
Portland is proverbial for its fridgity In
reception of strangers, unless they come
with proper credentials as members of the
shoddy aristocracy. But on this great &C.
casion, all reserve was laid aside and the
State street dudes Wed with the residents
| of Munjoy Hill and other humble every
day practical people in making the well
| come to the veterans cordial and hearty.
| Nothing that could be done, was left un-
| done, BY the citizens irrespective of party,
sect or creed. The whole city was gaily
| decked with banners, and wherever you
| went you were ever reminded OF the oc-
caslon, by beautiful banners and streaming
| bunting Huge arches spanned the streets
| and beautiful flags tluttered from every
| flag staff On Tusday, the day of the
| great parade, all wholesale stores, aud
| manufacturing establishments were closed
| and the employees joined in the vast
| thrung. Portland never had such week
| before. and no one can estimate when she
| will have another. Nothing short OF
| Grand rmy affair would draw out such
crowd and ere 1t will be Names turn to
eutertau the Encampment again, the Army
Will sbe sadly thinned out, by the angel
| ON death. They are already fast falling
| out by the way, aud as each year rolls
around, the decrease will Increase with
fearful rapidity. Watching the column
a. it flied by on the grand parade, | was
| struck by the great number OF young men,
who, when they answered their countrys
| call, "a wears ago, mast have been scarce
| " in their teens. As the long line wendell
! it's way along, one old fellow got very en-
| thusiaStic and turning to the crowd, ex-
| claimed, 81 tell you boys, we could fight
| quite battle to-day" They were de-
| termined set of men who went TO war as
| duty, not as pastme. l should think
| Skowhegauites would feel pretty well over
| the compliments bestowed upon its Post.
| 1 didn't happen to notice them myself, but
| about all heard of during the day, was
the splendid marching of Russell Post. and
the fine music of the Skowhegan Drum
| Corps. l also noticed that several of the
! Regimental reunions are to be held in
| Skowhegaa, next year AS well as the state
| Encampment. Truly SHOWN gan is get
| ting quite reputation.
| Que of the many things that pleased me
| was that the hay seed element which was
| out in full force did not suffer to any per-
| ce ptible extent from the light fingered gen.
try, Usually on such an occasion the poor
| countrymen are drained by the pitkpockets
| and confidence men so that they can't pay
| their taxes till they sell their wool but
| this show was an exception. They either
| didn't carry any cash with them or they
| took mighty good care of 1t for in every
case of robbery the victim was one of
"those city chaps" who will 60 back home
and steal more than he lost by game
known in the large cities as mercantile
transactions. There was but little steal
ing however for every precaution was TAX
en- to prevent it. Detectives were presen:
from all the principal cities and they
spotted the crooks and thieves and put
them under police surveillance. The re-
suit was a mos. happy one.
Well here | have occupied nearly all the
column assigned to me and haven't given
much of an idea OF the affair either. To
be sure, have spoken Of the weather, the
procession, and other minor items but
nave given but little idea of many of the
important features of the occasion. l will
now proceed to devote myself to them. If
H., oil
gan should not consider 1t necessary to
State several things that will be found in
this column for most every SkoWheganite l
ever saw or heard of and several besides
were "thar." To the rest of mankind and
the women and children allow me to say
that the Encampment was located on the
Eastern Promenade, the site overlooking
the harbor and it's hundred Islands. Then
there were pitched more than 1000 small
tents for the veterans. While some of the
Posts had cooking tents the most OF them
were fed at huge restaurants where they
cooked ton of corned beef and five bar
rels of -four and other eatables in proper
ton. There was no restraint put upon
them for they could go and come as they
pleased After the parade Of Tuesday
came grand reception at City Hall to
Commander Kountz at which speeches
were made by Governor ROBBIE, Comman-
der Kountz, Generals Logan, Slocum and
hall, and Congressman Reed and others.
Wednesday the business meetings of the
Eucampment commenced. The chief feat
ure of these was the selection of San Fran
cisco as the next place Of meeting, the Sc
lection of General S. S. Burdette, of Wash
ington as Commander, and the resolutions
of sympathy forwarded to their old COM
mander who is now calmly facing tn only
enemy that be cannot conquer.
The Ladies Relief Corps also held meet
ings during the week and numerous recep-
tions were given to distinguished guests.
Excursions down the harbor we're also
prominent features of the entertainment
rendered the guests. The crowd began to
leave after the parade on Tuesday and
there was consta mt stream of them till