The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-26
THE EVENING CAMPFIRE.

The EFENlNO CAMP-FlhE.
The evening session met at Lyra Hail. to hold
the annual campfire The hall was crowded to it's
utmost extent, and the greatest interest
throughout the whole performance The enter
tainment was opened by the Auten Post quar-
tet, of South Bend, composed of c. C. Trump
D. w. Gillen H. G. Dunbar and w. S. Barnes
which sang old war songs, and portrayed the
scenes Of camp-life. Gen. Manson next welcomed
the G. a. r. to this city, eulogized the soldier in
the war of the rebellion, and stated that the OBJ
lect OF the organization was to help the poor sol
der aud his family. "The soldiers" said the
General, Unjust stand together for protection
and while single soldier of the rebellion lives
our organization will not go down." e
General John Kountz, the present command
er-in-chief, came forward and rejoiced that
there is no combat to-day, and that so many of
the soldiers of the late war were alive. 1.-THE
e.. A. R., said he, lis the soldiers guardian and
protection. 1t is an organization composed of
the. heart of the grandest army that
was ever known. We are united to commem-
crate deeds of heroism and to cherish old COM
partnership. We saved the Union by our loyalty
bravery, sacrifices and suffering. Such vicissi-
tudes and victories have found us as closely to-
getEer as single family"
''Sherman's Bummers' next put the whole
house in laughter This scene was given by the
Apollo quartet and was very commendable.
Senator Hilligass spoke next giving the mo-
tive which the organization had in view. 1--WE
belong to different parties" said the senator.
land are divided in the church, but are all united
in the G.. A. r.. which does not tolerate sect or
faction" Senator Hilligass spoke also of the
Kuightstown Home, and favored the separation
of the two branches of that institution saying
that it should be taken out of politics and man
aged so as to be comfortable to the orphans of
the old soldiers Duty commanded this as the
children there were the wards of the comrades.
Miss Lulu Filbeck, Of Terre Haute, next re-
cited THE Last Hymn" in a very creditable
manner
Gen. Paul Vandervoort was introduced, and
spoke earnestly in favor of the Womans' Relief
Corps saying 1t was an organization to help the
soldiers who were in need, an auxiliary of the
G. A. r. 1.-THE women" said he, 'lent hand
to putdown the late war, and now this organiza-
ton of her own, having 2, 500 members in this
State, must be encouraged in every possible
way by the comrades"
Mrs. Aydelotte gave splendid rendition of
cold Kaintuck," and the Auten Quartet por-
trayed the scene "Picket Guard" Comrade r.
S. Robertson spoke eloquently of the dead sol
and Nellie Aydel0tte told the amusing story of
"a Bad Boy" when the meeting was closed
The comrades meet this morning to elect the
yearly officers and transact other business of an
important nature.
The following Offices are to be filled: Depart
ment commander, senior and junior vice-com-
mander, me dical director, chaplain, council Of
administration and delegatesA to the national
encampment to be held at Portland. Me. Among
the candidates for commander are D. N. Foster,
Fort Wayne; N. c. Welsh, Warsaw: Court Whit
sett Madison; w. H. Armstrong Terre Haute,
and Joseph p. Tiff, of Richmond.