Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-10-10
THE GRAND REUNION
The Soldiers and Sailors Of Hans. Hea Their
Fourth Annual Reunion At Topeka.
RuDy 10000 Veterans Present From Varieu,
States Hold . Grand Reunion.
And Perfect Permanent 0rgsalaiisns--A Grand
Parade On Thusday-N.tss

Parade On lharsday-Aetes.
Fourth annual reunion Of the soldiers
and sailors OF Kansas was held at Topeka
September 20, 80, and October 1st. For the
ers of the flag and the nations honor, met
on Kantas soil to relate the incidents and
anecdotes of days gone by. Such an oc-
casion as was this, is always one of joy TO
the veteran, and each year they attend
them, never firing.
The encampment was held at the fair
ground, lust outside the city, and the camp
was named Camp Grant, in honor of the
dead hero.
In all 1900 tents we're pitched, but a con-
siderable number of these were allotted to
the Kansas national guard, which encamp-
ment was held in conjunction with the re-
union.
Fully $500 veterans and their families
tented on the ground. It is estimated that
the reunion brought 1000 strangers to
Topeka.
The decorations of the business houses
were elaborate and beautiful. Most notice
able of all was the arch extending across
Kansas avenue, in front of the Windsor
hotel. 1t bore the inscription, Welcome
Veterans" while the faces of the pillars
supporting it bore the inscription, Lin
coin Post No. l." and Lincoln Corps
No. s."
Camp Grant was divided into seven d.
visions, each congressional district of the
state constituting q division. As fast as
| the posts arrived they were assigned to
their respective divisions, and to them the
adiutant of that division would assign
them to their tents.
FIRST DAY.
Tuesday was the first and ope hing day of
the reunion. The hours between eight
and ten q. M, were spent in the reception
of posts and assigning them to proper
tents.
At 10 q. ~, formal reception was given
the Kansas National Guard, by the COM
mander-in-chief, Gov. John A. Martin and
staff.
All the four regiments of the K. N. g.,
passed in review. Their evOlutions showed
good and thorough drilling.
was held, Major T. J. Anderson presiding.
| Governor J. A.. Martin delivered the ad-
dress of welcome, and Col. Stewart, COM
Imander-in-chief, responded.
| General J. @. Black, commissioner o
pensions, was next on the program for an
address, but, on account of the sudden
death of his daughter at Elmira, New York,
he was absent.
The following resolutions were passed:
Resolved, By the veterans of the west,
assembled in reunion at Topeka, Kansas,
September 20, 1885, that, having learned
the sad cause which prevents our comrade,
General John G. Black, from being present
with us to-day, as both he and ourselves
had confidently anticipated. we do hereby
most tenderly and earnestly extend to our
| 4 1: So f., ;1rv nf
our sincere sympA thy in their sore afH iceion
of the death of their daughter.
| Resolved, That while we, as soldiers, are
powerless, when the mailed hand of the
resistless warrior, death, is raised to smite,
yet we. as soldiers, recognize in this in
scrutable dispensatiUn of the commander
in-chiet Of the universe, an order, which
sooner or later must come to all the living,
and which none may disobey.
Resolved, That the veterans here pre-
sent in token of the reverent earnestness of
our action respecting the untimely death
of the daughter of our friend and comrade,
| firm the proceedings OF the special commit
tee of the committee of 80, and as further
mark of respect to our stricken comrade,
do adopt these resolutions by vote, standing
with uncovered heads, and in silence.
Commander in Chief, Burdett, of the
grand army of the republic Of the United
States was then introduced, and for over
an hour, held the vast audien cespell-b
by the mower of his eloquence in reciting
the many objects and achievements of the
grand army of the republic. Commander
Burdett is gentlemen of perhaps IS or go
years of age. of fine appearance, clear So
norous voice, and possessing many of the
elements of true oratory. Sentiment, mirth,
pathos and history were intimately COM
mingled in an address that no report can do
Justice to. Suffice it to say that the old
veterans, their mothers. wives and sweet
hearts were duly remembered; that the in
fluence of the members of the grand army,
in shaping the current history of the coun-
try, and the hopes and aspiration of the
coming generation, were all appropriately
and eIoquently referred to. Commander
Rurdett, by his address, has amply proven
tbs wisdom of his selection as commander.
in-chief, and those who missed hearing
him, have tailed to enjoy one of the CHIEF
attractions of the grand reunion. We only
regret our inability to reproduce his address
in full, as we feel con fident that the thoug ht&
and arguments put forward would not only
be in the interest of the q. A. R., but from
their exalted patriotism could only be in
strumental in promoting the best Interests
ofthe republic.
STATE REUNIONS.
In the evening, at 1880, arrangements hat
been made for the soldiers of the various
states to hold their reunions, and perfec
permanent organizations.
The veterans from kentucky perfected
, an organic alton by electing w. B. Shockley
Fort Scott, president; John Collins, Paola
vice president; David MCGEE. secretary.
The Ohio veterans met at their headquar
tiers of the army of the Potomac. Col. F
w. Butterfeld, of the Eighth Ohio, wal
elected temporary president, and J. g. Mob
Ter, vice-president, and FEED ]. Close, SSH
Y. l., secretary. The temporary organiza
ton was made the permanent.
al The New York veterans met in the Yves