The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18
BAPTISM OF A CORNERSTONE
The Ceremonies at the Sellers Orphans
New Home Conducted in the Rain.
The Veterans ofshe Grand Army, However.
Undaunted by the Unfayorable Wealth
ef. Make the Affair a Success.

AT hHieh tstown having Slenlhe0 "ish tHae tuo
ceremonies of laying the cornerstone OF the
new structure should be conducted under the
auspices of the Grand Army of the hepuohc-o OF
this department, Commander Bennett accepted
the invitation in behalf of the organization, ana
arranged for the carrying out of the programme
according to the ritual Of the order. Invitations
were sent to all the posts and to several hundred
individuals while the public was generally in
yited Now, that the affair is over, the depart
ment officers are willing to concede a possible
oversight in the matter OF invitations, as the
signal officer presiding over the Weather Bureau
1t this station was forgotten. 1t might have
made no difference but yesterday, the day set
for the ceremony, was what New York
city anglomaniac would have pronounced "a
nawsty" day Notwithstanding this fact,
however, il was successfully conducted affair
throughout. and, far as could be judged, thor
Dughiy enjoyable TO all those who had braved
khe Indictment weather. Arrangements had been
made for special train from this city, and SINH
lar transportation facilities provided from Rich
mond, all of which resulted in the gathering OF
not less than four hundred comrades of the G.
A. L., with members of the Ladies Relief Corps,
st the point of meeting. Upon the arrival of the
brain from Indianapolis, it was decided that the
speaking should take place in hall in the city,
but that nothing of the ritualistic ceremonies of
the cornerstone laying should be shirked at the
Home, about two miles away All idea of
formal parade was abandoned, but something
like seventy five members of the G. A. r., head
ed by the Anderson Post drum corps, formed in
line, and, at route-step, took up their limo Of
aroh ~ Ito IN fho
their clothing was somewhat dampened their
ardor seemed in the condition Of the provesbial
finder. The ladies of the Relief Corps would
listen to no advice involving their remaining in
Town, and found means of conveyance enabling
them 10 take part in the baptism Of the new
cornerstone.
With us little delay as possible after the gath
sring at the point of interest, Comraae Ben I.
Smith president of the board of trustees of the
Home, called the audience to order and turned
over The memorial tablet and conduct of the
ercises to Department Commander Bennett,
who was assisted by Senior Vice Department
Commander Andrew File and Junior Vice de-
partment Commander w. F. DAILY; the assist
ant Acknowledgement of the department. J. A. NJ.
Cox, officer of the day, and Jacob Neiman, Off
arraed soldiers in uniform, Prof. Morris, of the
Home, acting rs chaplain. Although the rain
fell without cessation, nothing of the full eere
moniai was omitted, and certainly the state of
the weather did rot detraet from the impress
iyeness of The services. The corner stone was
laid by Isaac Foster. formerly member of the
Seventy frst Regiment, Ohio volunteers,
member of Gordon Post, No. 281, of this city.
Comrade Foster is now eiehty-four years old, and
II Is hardly likely that his claim to this honor
will be disputed. It was decided that the mortar
should be served by the youngest comrade of the
Aepuflmebt, and Bruce Carr mixed it in an ex-
Henely graceful manner evidently mIstakiEg
the dornick to be located as the blarIey- stone,
as he explained that his grace in the mortar bus
mess was q brthright In subsequent discus
sion relative to the matter of juvenity of
service, Bruce was compelled to admit that he
did not hold the age Tom Boyd, of Hamilton
eounty, and offered to divide bouquet with
him, which had been presented by the ladies of
Geo. II. Thomas Woman's Relief Corps, both
Comrades Foster and Carr having been recipi-
snts of flora! favors from this source In spread
Ing the mortar Comrade Foster used trowel
presented bv Mrs. Alice & Griffin, department
president of the w r. G.,
A capacious receptacle had been provided by
the architect for such souvenirs those desiring
to excite the curiosity OF after ages might desire
TO deposit. and Comfade Smith was kept busy
for several minutes announcing the articles as
they were dropped into their long resting place.
catalogue of all would be something like an
inventory OF a fancy store. varied was the
character OF the offerings. Among them were
copy of thu proceedings of the last Department
Encampment, G. A. r. roster. service-book
and ritual. copy OF rules and acquisitions, copy
of the by laws, rules and regulations of the w
II. c.. deposited by George II Thomas Corps of
this city, with a roster of that organiza-
ton; circular issued by the Indianap-
oils Association of ex-Prisoners of War: a
Relief Corps badge, by Mrs. Alice L. Griffin, de-
partment president; Grand Army badge and
button, button worn by c. A. Power at the
battle CT Chicamauga. copy of the indianapolis
Journal of current date, bylaws and letter
heads of various posts history of the
Soldiers Orphans Home. its burning and re-
building by the trustees of that organizations
papers by the knightstown commandery and
council. One comrade, under the impression
that it was contribution box for the benefit of
the orphans, handed up buzzard dollar, which
WAS swallowed up in the Unsuitable mass of this
all devouring box. Possibly 1t will reach far by
the time it is found.
During the ceremonies, which lasted nearly
an hour, no one sought shelter of more sub
stantial character than umbrella and those who
possessed them let them drip down the necks OF
those not so fortunate with good humor that
an lndlan-summer day could not have added TO-
AFTER the pronouncing Of the benedcton by
Prof Morris. the crowd did not linger. but failed
TO make tracks for town, as fhe pike was too
soft Tho basket picnic arrangement called for
in the circular of invitation by the department.
commander, was omitted for reasons obvious 10
ahose present, and commissary supplies were
sought in the city,
At about 1870 o'clock exercises were opened in
the ball by children of the home who produced
the oDeretta. THE Secret" in manner worthy
of being initiated by moro than one organization
on the road which claims. without being able to
prove it, that they are professional singers and
actors The dancing, singing and military evo-
lutons We're Of an exceedingly pleasing charac-
ter and when corps of uniformed boys carry
ing flags marched aud coun.ermarehed singing
Marching Through Georgia, the enthusiasm
of the audience reached the bowling pitch. At
the close of the entertainment by the children
eomradc Smith introduced comrade w.
H. Myers. who acted as substi-
tute for Governor Gray Mr. Myers. after
apolcgiZing for the ahsence of Tia Gorarnnr de.