Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-06-10
Valiant Veterans.
Seven Hundred Registered at the Reunior
il this City June stA and 10th.
Fully Fifteen Thousand Persons
Present the Last Day.
Success Beyond Measure.
Success Beyond Measure.

annual reunion OF the veterans of
southwestern Wisconsin is an event
Of the past. These reunions are
grand inspirers of loyalty and love
for the stars and stripes. 1t is right
that the nations preseryers should
be royalty entertained at any time
aud all the time, and it is with no
little pride that we refer to the hos
pitable manner in which the citizens
of Mineral Point did their full duty
on this occasion. Activity in pre-
pairing for the event set in weeks be-
fore hand, and a more complete and
successful effort is yet to be made
known, and the weather proving
decidedly betitting, the reunion at
Mineral Point in 1856 will go down
into history as among the most
elaborate, entertaining and satisfac-
tory, for the size OF our town, OF
the hundreds that take place from
year to year throughout the north.
The morning Of the first day
| "wednesday found our city bid
meath the red, white and blue buGt-
ing and the star spangled banners.
A more beautiful morning and scene,
with peace, happiness and plenty
abounding, never dawned upon the
city. Early the people wended
hither from every direction and a
great throng had gathered and by
the time two special trains arrived
! l0;30 a. m) it was transformed
into a surging multitude. A reUep-
tion committee and the g. a. r..
Post were at the depot, and the
Monroe Guards, Darlington Rifles
and veterans, with bands from Mon
roe, Spring Green, Brodhead,
Gratiot, Lancaster, the Shullsburg
Fife and Drum Corps, all of whom
came by the special, were formed
into line headed by the Mineral
Point and Linden bands, the city
Drum Corps, the Post, etc. The
parade from the depot up through
town was imposing and contained
several thousand, while on the
walks was an equal number of spec
tators. Dinner hour soon came and
the hungry thousands found our
people fully equipped to supply
their wants.
The afternoon was spent by vet
eraus in renewing old friendships,
and in drill and military parades by
the companies, the choicest Of band
music being interspersed all the
while. Late in the afternoon sham
battle by the militia was very
pleasing and attractive feature.
In the evening of the irstday the
exercises were elaborate, the most
impressive and grand that ever took
place in Iowa county. II opened
with dress parade, followed by q
general aud brilliant illumination Of
the city by Japanese lanterns. Then
came the professional fire works
by the Fiambeau torch club,
composed of veterans, during
which a constant display Of
canuon-ball rockets, that seemed to
reach the heavens, was going on
from the grand arch stand. The
equal to the rockets were never
witnessed here before. They were
visible from eight to ten miles dis
tant And all the while the air was
laden with music by bands and male
quartetts stationed at different parts
of the city. Any attempt at a full
description of the grandeur Of the
evening would surely result in fail
ure. Only those present can realize
it. The grand stand, which excelled
anything known to have been erect
ed for any like occasion, was the
center Of attraction. It's draping
in emblems of America stood out
as plain to view as though t we're
midday, the illumination being that
brilliant. It was the opinion Of
visitors who have attended different