The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-10-23
From MarSeilleS.
The Soldiers Reunion, &C.
fTOucI udsd)


discussion II was decided to hold the mex
annual reunion of the regiment on the III
day of October the anniversary of muster
inc in the L. s. service. A committee con
sisting of comrades E. G. Myers, G. o
Snowden, l.. A. Baker, >. s. Brucker ant
w. II. Jenkins were appointed by the chair
to fix the place of the next meeting and Sc
lect officers for the ensuing year
Major Mum then moved that members
now pay dues, which was accordingly done
By this time the old soldiers began 10 gel
In normal condition. viz: dry and hungry
The band and Post escorted the veterans &c
G. A. r. hall, where a banquet had been
prepared by the ladies and friends of the
town. On the Did of September re union
of the Seth Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf. was held al
Seneca. Some Of the regiment reside here
and were present. The managers then
thought Marseilles and the c. A. Il. Post
would have hard work to entertain the Both
because they had no saloons to advance the
money for needed expenses, DC, or that a
prohibition town had no money. We think
this has nothing to do with the matter
whatever. Perhaps this spur was what
stimulated the people TO do something.
Covers were laid at lS7 places, and the
tables were filled number OF times. Eat,
ing began at about halfpast four and peo-
pie were still at the tables at seven O'clock.
Among the noticeable features in the way
of eatables was a pig and a lamb roasted
whole. The next morning when the ladies'
committee went down to clear up there was
half barrel of warm coffee and number
of baskets of provisions left. 1t is safe to
say that with the provisions left about as
many more could have been fed as were
fed People began gathering at the hall at
six O'Clock, and before the time of opening
the exercises at eight o'clock p. NJ. the hall
was packed full. At the beginning of the
exercises a large number were standing
back of the regular seats. One hundred
chairs were brought from the G. A. X,
hall, and some disturbanc was occasioned
by people getting in them.
The band gave the Echo Overture" as
the opening piece, and rendered it very
finely. Mr.. j. q. Adams, chaplain of the
Post, offered prayer, in which he touch,
ingly alluded to the Posts comrade, ii. Z.
Whitman, now laying dead in his own
house, preparations for whose funeral are
now In progress.
"Tenting to night" was then rendered by
the male quartette, after which came the
address of welcome by Hon. E. ii. Spicer.
Marching Through Georgia." double
quartette, Mr.. o. r. Adams singing the
solo, which was very fine, indeed. Mr..
Adams never sang better.
Captain Savage resp ,nded to the address
of welcome much as though he knew how.
The ladies quartette was the finest must |
cal treat of the evening. The young ladies
deserve great credit for the excellence of
their rendering "Oh, my America"
When the 30th were in the field most of
the boys remembered M. l.. Butterfeld, or
Dick Butterfield, who entertained them
many times by his songs. The president
received letter from him stating his ina
bility to be present, but delegated his son
Eugene to entertain the boys by singing
"Dixie's Sunny Land" He did well, 50
well that he was recalled and gave a Ger
man comic selection.
Mr.. Ira Brown, whose banjo solos and
singing are always acceptable to this peo.
pie, was recalled number OF times, as was
also Miss Austria Makeever Her render
ing of the "Old Sergeant was in her own
peculiar way. The committee of the 30th
Regt. Association then reported that they
had selected Chicago as the next place of
meeting, and the following as the list of
officers: President, o. l.. Mann, of Chicago;
vice president, 5. c. Reed, of Blde Island
secretary, w. Il. Morley, of Farmer City
Ill.,, and A. T, Sweetser, of Bloomington,
H., treasurer The report of the commit.
tee was adopted
Resolutions of thanks were then present
ed by Comrade Mum, praiSing the enter
they had received very highly in
deed After dirge by the band, all the
people standing, a few five minute speeches
were given that were very highly enjoyed,
many of them being personal "reminiscences
of occurrences during the late unpleasant
ness After the general dismissal the mem
bels repaired TO headquarters to spin army
yarns and enjoy each others society. Part
of them remained at the hail where dance
was in order, Those at headquarters were
very much pleased when Capt. Sweetser
and his comrades, who had been detained
at MnOnk came eff the train at II O'Clock
A general hand shaking was in order and
the "boys" seemed as pleased to see each
other as though they had been brothers, A
feature at the hall was banner
on which was displayed all the engage
ments participated in by the regiment
When the Both boys" started to 90 home
and inquired for their bill they found
|