St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-10-30
OUlNCY'S DAM

Notwithstanding the Rain i'm ts,e Earl,
Part of the Day, the Detiiegsfass Cerean o
MES of the soldiers and SaIsar's Home
Successfully Carried Out is Presence q
an Immense and Enthusiasts Throns.
QUINCY, H., Oct. 2l.-Yesterday- the
second of the grandest demonstration
that has ever been Witnessed hs this Sec
ton of the State to do honor in dedicat-
ing the Old Soldiers and Saaors' Home,
passed off under tryin. diaisnaties. The
morning broke gloomiy and the raksl fell
in time to cut off large crowds from
points along the railroads ana delay the
preimnaries Of the parade an1t review
of the soldiers set for the mBiing. At
nine O'Clock heavy storm Wa-s threaten
ed, and this drove thousands to shelter
and to degree cleared the streets. On
the streets several Thousand, strangers
caught in the dciu-2 were compelled to
seek shelter, and stores were flied with
people. AT the courthouse amt in Va
cant buildings the old soldiers assembled
with bands and drum corps, md cnli"cn-
ed the gloom with army songs.
Later on it was announced thlt the dly
parade would take place and tine We erans
assembled for the formation Of the pro-
cession. 1t was nearly noon before the
column had been formed and the march
was begun. The sudden siNnage from
the rain and gloom brought out the
crowd, and before the proce ssion had
moved the park and streets surrounding
it were literally damned, the people be-
ing obliged to take to the streets to move
at all. 1t is believed that forty thousand
people were gathered in and rear the
park to witness the review of troops, and
this estimate is hardly an eXaggeration.
On the stand erected ON the north side
of the park Governor Ogleshy and staff,
General Logan, General Fairehlld GEN
eral Vance and other State misstary Off
GERS, Senator Cullom, General Prentiss.
State officials and other distinguished
people assembled with the executive
committee and prominent persons. The
column, as formed, was led BIZ the Osen-
dorff band, of Springfield, H., depart
ment officers and the vario-s posts,
there being included in the lape twenty
two bands and drum corps. THE line did
make splendid appearance IS it passed
the principal streets and contaminated
in review before the Governor ana other
distinguished people at the review stand.
The spirited airs and firm appearance of
the column Of old soldiers aWeke en-
thuSlasm in the crowd, and they were
cheered heartily.
About one O'Clock the crowd dispersed
from about the park, and at once the
rush began toward the Soldiers Home
grounds, where the dedication exercises
took place i'll the afternooa. On the
Governors stand, while the parade was
taking place at noon, and just after the
last post had passed the scene on the
grand stand erected for Governor Ostes-
by and staff, was one of considerable eX-
citement. Old soldiers FROM everywhere
crowded on the streets in spite of all the
police could do, all anxious to shake the
hands of Governor Oglesby and General
Logan. Mrs. Oslesby and 8frs. Logan
were on the stand aBa came in
for their share of the adoration
of the crowd. Mrs. Logan WAS heard to
remark that, being raised as enc OF
family of thirteen, she was used to crowds,
and rather liked it. She certainly could
not have wished for a more pramiscuous
and wildly enthusiastic crswd than
greeted her yesterday.
In the afternoon the dedicatihg part of
the programme took place Oh the grounds
of the Home. Speeches were made by
General John A. Logan, Governor Ogles
by, General Martin BEEN, General Fair
child, General B. NJ. Prentiss and many
other distinguished speakers. The night
parade was formed promptly at seven
o'clock and marched through the prtnci.
pal portion of the city. In the process
sion were many floats, which called for
praise from the many thou
sands who witnessed the grand affair.
The citizens of Quincy had left nothing
lndone that would add to this
particular feature of The ceIebla-
lion. Immediately after the night pa
rade had taken place an immense display
Of fireworks were fired from boats an
,hored in the river opposite the principal
streets leading to the river.
To-day will be devoted to reunions of
he various regiments on the grounds.
The many thousands of visitors who came
% attend the dedication ceremonies will
cave for home, fully satisfied that Quincy
lid credit to herself and entertained her
numerous visitors in q manner becoming
city noted for her hospitality and ener'
.etic business men.
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