The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-01-26
Department Gleaninss.


DEAR TRIBUNE: Michigan is all alive with Camp
fires and Ga. X. and w re. entertainments. On
the slightest notice a Post viii rally and tine Camps
OF Sons " turn out to a reception SUI per or what
not given by the Woman Relief Corps. Farragut
Corps, Of Battle Creek, was inspected by the De
partment President OF Michigan, and the Sons of
Veterans, with many of the GAR, filed the hall
IN the evening. Conversation, Handwriting and
songs, with one or two short speeches. made UP the
program. Mrs. Abbie Flagg gave an account of
the Convention at st. Louis and Mrs Surby Corps
President, made short address. This Corps works
very unitedy. Waddell Corps, Of Howell is prob
ably in the front line of relief work Cash relief in
Si75 ca s-0' ''A'' '0"'''Ou''0''S' -" estimate
Waddell Post, commanded by the able and genial
Maj. Parsons, of Howell, works hand in hand in
loving accord with its valuable auxiliary The
ladies We're invited to visit the GAR hall on the
evening succeeding inspection of Corps and the
boys" served elegant refreshments to a large
company Short talks from Maj. Parsons, Mrs.
Wilcox and Mrs. Plummer, music of fine order,
and general happiness filled the program OF the
evening.
Bancroft and vicinity held one of the brightest
and peasantest of Campfires on Dec. L. Bancroft
has a celebrity in the person of the brave, loyal
kind-hearted and eloquent DIR. Fox, ex Surgeon of
the Sth Mich. His account Of the siege OF Knox
vile, given from the platform that evening" was
one of the most vivid and glowing descriptive
speeches in the writer's recollection. The Depart
ment President occupied part of the time and the
ladies served refreshments.
On Dec ID the Post at Fenton surprised the Corps
OF that place, and captured it without the loss of
single They were generous victors how
ever, and proceeded to serve up royal banquet of
roast pig turkey, oysters cake fruit and ellies 10
the fair captives. Comrade c. l.. Mann, of the
Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, planned the
SURPRISE and was aided therein by the Assistant
Secretary of the Department of Michigan.
Lansing Post ndCorps held joint public installa-
ton services on Jan 3. Comrade BlOsser, of Chas.
j. Foster Post, installed Commander w. G. Nesen
and his staff OF gallant officers and Mrs Plummer
performed the same service for the newly-elected
leaders of the Corps; Mrs Harriet A. Jenney Presi
dent. The retiring officers gave charming " at
home the following afternoon.
Joint installation services were held at Grand
Ledge JAM Commander w G. Nesen, and Com
Tade, Mrs. and Miss Plummer, of Lansing, were
present. Very impressvely Comrade Nesen went
through the beautiful work of installing the
Post officers, and his earnest, manly words will
long be remembered Miss Mabel Plummer acted
as Conductor for her mother during installation,
and won kind words of appreciation from those
who witnessed her efficient work. The new
Grand Ledge President is Mrs Susie NJ Nostrant
the wife of one soldier and sister of three others
She y also a sister OF the Department President.
Perhaps the most elaborate, and certainly one of
the most enjoyable and perfect of the Winter crop
of 6. A. Il. assemblies was at Flint on Jan s. The
only failure throughout the whole affair was the
absence of the beloved Emma Stark Hampton, Ma
tonal President At p. m. the beautiful hall was
filled to its utmost seating capacity The repre-
sentatives of that Order which we trust will be
in existence when the last member of the G A r.
and W.R.C. shall have passed away from EARTH
were the first to open the meeting and go through
their solemn and impressive ceremony in the adj
miring presence OF many OF their fathers and
mothers
The Sons having been duly installed. Depart
ment Commander l.. q. Rutherford was introduced
and received with deafening applause In his
genial fashion he proceeded to install the officers of
the Post fine orchestra filed every interval
with stirring music. Mrs. Plummer then took
charge of the meeting and performed the service
of installing the officers of the W.RC. The Presi-
dent, Harriet Parsons Thompson, is the same lady
who efficiently served as Assistant National
Inspector, appointed by Mrs. Kinne This is her
second year as President of Grape Corps, and no
sweeter wears Presidential honOrs in all
Michigan Elegant refreshments were served dur
ing the next interval, and the lovely ladies of
Flint Corps dispensed scallopped oysters, cold
meats, hot coffee and luscious cake. Commander
Rutherford perfectly happy during supper,
seated between two ladies, one of whom was Mary
A. McConnely, Past Department Senior Vice
President.
Elk. Coy. Begole who loves all the boys" be-
cause of his soldier slain III his bright youth,
formed part of this group. and the very happiest,
jolliest preacher in all Michigan, with his wife,
made it complete. This clerical gentleman pres
emily took up the gavel, and, as POSTMASTER, de-
lighted every body.
Gov Begole responded to Michigan Mai.
Buckingham, of the ODD Mich. talked of The
Ladies' and. usual, the subject of the exsoldier
boys given to the Department President.
Commander Rutherford closed the evening with
very witty and happy Speech which was often in
terrupted with applause Wolverine.
DEPARTMENT OF OHIO.
DEAR TRIBUNE: During this month of January,