Omaha daily bee., 1886-08-21
A GLORIOUS DAY AT NORFOLK,
Fifteen Thousand People Attend the North
Nebraska Veterans Reunion.
A LADS STRANGE KILLING.
Ralph Crowley Shot Dead by Conn
panion Near Albion-Work OF
Flames at Fairmont-A
Crazy Fathers Deed.
Close ofthe Reunion,

NORFOLK, Neb., August co. Special Tel
egram to the BEE. The veterans in Camp
Henderson were astir early this morning
and the day gave promise of being bright and
full of interest to the visitors. The number
in attendance was largely increased by in
coming trains, the train from the west on the
Elkhorn line bringing in the largest number.
The number on the grounds was estimated at
1900. The usual formal routine work of
mounting guard bv the regulars was followed
at o'clock by an excellent sermon to the
Grand Army boys by Rev. j. V. Lewis, chap
lain at Fort Niobrara, which was attentively
listened to by large crowd. At 10 o'clock
the grand parade occurred. The column was
headed by General Brsbin, Chief of Staff
Valentine, Lieutenants Bingham and Ste
vens, and other members of the staff, and
General Thayer, department commander.fol-
lowed by three companies of the Ninth cav
airy under the direction of Captain Cusick
and Lieutenants Hughes and Emmett to-
gether with the various Grand Army posts and
bands. The column made an imposing APP
pearance, with its dress parade uniform and
flying streamers. The line of march was
from the camp to the city and through the
principal streets. On Main street there was
liberal display of bunting and arches, and
on the balcony of the local Grand Army hall
a bevy of gaily attired ladies represented
the states of the union. Although the day
was hot, and the march of some length, the
veterans bore 1t good-naturedly as a re-
minder of other days. Before reaching
camp the column passed in review before
the officers in charge.
During the afternoon the band contest oc-
Cured for the two priZes-tirst prize, 500;
second prize, $50 The Uelicon band of
Niobrara was ruled out, on the ground that IL
was under pay of the committee but not
until the other leaders confessed they were
afraid to compete with 1t. The bands engag-
Neigh, Wayne Madison and Ainswortk
The judges chosen by the bands were. B.
w. Morris. +. }. Childs and R. ID. Scott The
judges awarded the first prize to the Madi-
Each band was required to play two selec-
tiOns In place of the sham battle, which the
commanding officers thought imprudent to
give on account of the heat and fear of at
colored cavalry. The evolutions of the
troops were watched with interest by great
crowd
During the day the ex-prisoners of war
formed temporary organization, which is
to be completed at the Grand Island reunion.
l.. c. Washburn, of Norfolk, was elected
president and B. +. Goodwin, OF Emerson,
secretary. This evening the cx-prissoners
~
relating experiences in prison pens.
The reunion practically closed tonight,
although great many visitors are still tent,
ing on the grounds. Tomorrow General
Brlsbin's forces will strike tents and return
to their quarters at Fort Niobrara, having
greatly enjoyed their visit here; The re.
union has been a great success and has passed
without an accident to mar the pleasure.
Good order and decorum have prevailed at all
times, and the absence of drunkenness and
rowdyism in the camp has been marked. The
large number of Grand Army men and Wis
itors who have been in attendance 90 away
with the best of feeling toward the reunion
committee and people of Norfolk, who have
been taxed to their utmost in extending
liberal hospitality. General Brisbin and
his aides have been courteous and
pleasant to all with whom they
came In contact, and their presence with the
troops and Indian braves contributed largely
to the success of the affair. The Fremont,
Elkhorn & Missouri Valley road is also en-
titled to great credit for efforts to make the
encampment a success. General Passenger
Agent Buchanan and General Manager
Fitch aided the reunion committee materially
by transporting General Brisbin's forces free
ger Agents Lewis and Cheyney were on the
grounds to render any assistance needed.
The chief interest attending this and other
reunions has been the bringing of old COM
rades together. There has been many joy
GUS and affecting meetings among comrades.
All the western states have been largely rep
resented A Minnesota veteran said to the
BEE reporter that there were five times as
many Minnesota boys registered as he had ever
seen at any reunion in this city. The camp
fire feature is another great attraction. Com
rade Washburne has talked himself hoarse in
presiding over these gatherings. In social
point OF view the encampment has been