New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-03-31
VETERANS IN DAKOTA.
Dakota G. A. r.. Encampment Meeting at
Watertown.

Dakota G. A. r. Encampment Meeting at
Watertown.
The third annual meeting of the Dakota
encampment of the Grand Army OF the Re
public, at Watertown, is reported to have
been an enjoyable affair. A large number
of veterans were present, including many
distinguished officers. The emcampment
was called to order by Commander Lucas
Commander Lee was appointed secretary
for the session.
Gen. Dennis OF Yankton introduced a res
olution that the department OF Dakota
endorse the selection of Mason City, Iowa,
tished by the State OF Iowa, which was re-
erred to a special committee and after
wards tabled. Atthe suggestion OF the Off
GERS substantial sum was raised for the
treasury OF the woman srelief corps.
Commander Lucas delivered his annual
address. He congratulat ted the department
on its fourishing condition. One year ago
he found it $3.50 in debt. By strenuous ef
forts it has now cash balance on hand Of
S427.37. Twenty-six new posts have been
formed during the year, making now 112
posts, with a membership OF 3, 046. Here
GREETED the vigorous rule that requires the
suspension OF members six months in ar
rears. Meager or no reports from many
posts render the statistical part OF COM
mander's duties difficult. Posts make a
grave mistake in changing yearly post adj
iutants and quartermasters. He paid a
tribute to the Womap's Relief corps and the
Sons OF Veterans. The reports OF the as
sistant adjutant general and quartermaster
were then read.
Areception was rendered to the members
OF the G. A. r. and Woman's Relief corps
at Goss hall. The following with several
selections by band, was the programme:
Welcome address, Mayor Thomas; army
song; response, Commander w. Y. Lucas;
address, Hon. c. Williams; address, Hon.
A. c. Mellette, who eloquently rehearsed
the deeds OF valor the veterans had per-
formed in a clear and mastery manner.
He pointed out the dangers to which the
future OF our country may be exposed.
The attendance was immense. The usual
manner OF holding camp fires obtained and
impromptu speeches were interspersed with
vocal and instrumental music, and at 10
O'Clock the camp fire was broken up and
the veteran guests and their ladies repair
ed to Goss' hall, where asplendd banquet,
with plates laid for 600, was served by the
ladies OF the Watertown Relief corps Mrs
ii. K. Pease, president OF the Watertown Re-
lief corps, acted as mistress OF ceremonies.
grand parade took place, 400 veterans
being in line. Thecouncil OF administra ton
selected Mitchell as the place for holding
the reunion OF the soldiers and sailors June
20 and %. 1t was decided to hold the
next meeting Of the encampment at the
time OF the reunion Of soldiers and sailors
of Dakota at Mitchell next June. James
town was selected as the place OF meeting
next year. The following are the officers
elected for the ensuing year:
NJ. " Lucas, Chamberlain, commander;
Gen. j. B. Dennis, Yankton, senior vice
commander; Horace G. w. Wolfe, Cayour,
junior vice commander; DR.. w. c. Shirock,
Fargo, medical director Rev. j. w. Bell,
Glendale, council OF administration, A. Il.
Rowley, Aberdeen; NJ. f. Moody, Yankton;
3: d. Pay, Brookings; o. j. Anderson,
Plankinston; N. B. Dent, Glendale; dele
gates to the national cncampment at San
Francisco, Gen. H. Allen, Fargo (at large)'
b. l.. Wells, Col. e. W. Foster, E. D. Rom
eny; alternates, Roger Barnum (at large),
w. A. Shilbey 1. E. West, Fargo, Comrade
Lee.
1t was resolved 'That we, soldiers and
sailors OF the late war, representing over
1000 veterans, hereby memorable the leg
islature OF Dakota to Immediately pass an
act establishing soldiers and sailors
home Or homes"
The following were appointed commit
tee on the soldiers home: First district, S.
NJ. Booth; Second, D. NJ. Gross, Yankton;
Third, c. T. Clement, Fargo; Fourth, B. F.
Campbell, Sioux Falls: Fifth, A. C. Mcllette,
Watertown; Sixth, w. F. Bentley, Bis
marck. Committee at large on home: ]. E.
Bennett, chairman; B. F. Payne, Gen. j
B. Dennis.
The following officers were elected by the
Woman's Relief corps: Lila L. Smith.
Huron, president; Bessie A. Carter, Canton,
senior vice president; Johanna Melton,
Fargo, junior vice president; Mary b. Holt
u:
Flandreau, chaplain; Emma S. Free. Sioux
Falls, secretary; executive board, Emma
S. Free, Sioux Falls Mile Shuielt, Canton;
Mrs. Wait, Egan; Mary Bertrand. Canton;
Mary A. Groesbeck, Watcrtown; delegates
to the national encampment at San Fran
cisco, Mary Brown, Sioux Falls, at large;
Rose w. Pease, Watertown; Mary e. Elson,
Huron. The officers elect OF both the G.. A.
r. and relief corps were installed in the eve
ming at the court house, after which an
old.fashioned camp fire was held until late
hour.