Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1888-12-20
THE OLD SOLDIERS.
War "reminiscences Over
Pork and Beans.
Colonel Plummer's Eloquence stirs the
Old Fire In Their Veins.

hihgs at Rolls opera house. The spa
eions hall was crow iad-even standing
room was at premium. The hall and
stage were appropriately decked with flags
and along the north side Of the room were
arranged articles of various sorts, elegant
AMI useful, to be disposed OF Mt so much
chance, and a confectionery stand. From
Is to 8 o'clock each evening the Bayton
building was crowded with those in quest
of delicious pork aud beans and coffee.
served by the busy aud willing members
of the Womens Relief Corps. THURSDAY
evening the audience was called TO order
by Post Commander Smith. The program
opened with fine selection by the peer
less silver cornet band of ST. Lawrence.
Chaplain Horning followed with n short
and impressive prayer. Rev. w. G. KEEP
hart next delivered the address of elcome
which very greatly pleased the old sol
diers as well as the audience Ii was re-
sponded to with very peat and felicitous
speech by Il. T. Sedan, from the st
Lawrence Post and also one from Cant.
Nreeland. Of the Rec Heights Post. The
Glee Club next sang song entitled my
Own Native Isle. Commander Smith
then introduced the speaker of the eve
nIng, Col. w. G. Pummer of Casseltop,
North Dakota. For perhaps an hour the
Colonel held his audience in rapt a.ten-
ton. To use modern expression, he is
spell binder" of the first quality. He is
one of the few orators of this nation and
an uAusual inspiration is always given him
when he addresses old soldiers. There is
"a tie that binds" among old soldiers
that none but then can appreciate.
The Colonel's address howeyer, was not
only bene fetal 20 bis comrades but had the
very powerful effect OF impressipg on the
younger generation what resulted 10 So
cial and national life from the outcome Of
the war of the rebellion. The Coloncl's
address was received with a storm of ap.
plause. After another song by the Glee
Club. Capt. Kellog of Woonsocket, one
arm soldier and member Of the Depart.
ment Commanders staff, Was introduced
and for few moments stirred the hearts
OF his comrades with entertaining war ex-
periences, paid neat compliment to, Mi
Ter and the Miller ladies and also to Candy
Post At the conclusion Of his remarks
the audience was invited to remain aud
indulge in gocial past time--wbieh was
done until midnight. An attractive pro
gram was announced for the following
evening and as Col. Plummer was again
or the list another large audience was
present. The superb st. Lawrence band
again played some Of their selections,
Commander elect Sedan of the st. Law
renee G.. A. RS. made all address that de-
lighted his listeners. He paid glowing
tribute to his old Commander, whose
name the st. Lawrence post bears. Com
manders L. A. Young of Rec Heights and
Capt Cort Of So. Lawrence were expected
to denver addresses-but modestly declin-
ed. Mr. Blackledge Cf Spring Lake was
introduced and we must say that those ab-
sent missed a great deal. His experiences
among the Johnnies as prisoner, and sol.
dier were very interesting and In some
instances very thrilling. Commander
Smith then exhibited a copy of the War
Eagle, the first paper published by SOL
diers during the war. 1t was dated Jan. /,
lS62iand was published at Ottoville, Mo.
The paper is the property OF John Mace
an old soldier liyi ng near Spring Lake.
Capt. Gray read poem from this paper
and an editorial selection. Capt, Kellogg |
Of Wo0nsocket was then .presested and |
addressed the old soldiers and citizens for |
a few moments on matters of interest. |
The Captain is robust looking man. t.t !
passed through uuusual haidships during |
the war He is splendid fellow to meet |
and is greatly esteemed by all his Old |
comrades. The audience was given |
great treat next, by the appeamnce of the |
German military band, composed Of bass |
drummer Harry Shields aud Miss Myrtle /
Willett with baritone horn. They sang |
a Duet that delighted the audience i'm |
mnnsely. Mis- Nellie Shields pes.ded at /
the organ. John Z. Dowell OF Mi ler next !
delivered q toast to the "Sons of Veterans
that was very good. A Sons Of Veterans
society will undoubtedly be orgaized here
soon Harry Shields again put the au-
dience in state of good humor with an
other song and was followed by toast
The Army Nurse-by Mrs. Blackford, of /
Alpha township. Mrs. Il. was an army /
nurse of long experience. Her remarks
were very tender ard impressive-but not
being in the habit of addressing so large
an audience. her remarks could not be
heard by all. She possesses a good kind,
motherly expression that attracts all aud
her hospital experiences especially endears
her to old soldiers. After another selec-
ticn from the st. Lawrence band,
Fred. =. Morrill, delivered poem in Ger
man brogue, that took the audience by
storm. Mr.. Morrill, has gained quite a
reputation as poet Of no mean caiiber
and has become an indispensable feature
OF al our pubic entertainments. Col.
Plummer followed with one Of his char
acteristic talks, indulging in more levity
than he permitted IN his former speech.
He can narrate an army yarn in an inim-
table way ami army yarns was what they
wanted him to tell. The drawing of prizes
was next on the program. ]. Nj. Gass
won the elegant plush cloak; Miss Bessie
Churchill won the gold ladies watch--tbe
third she has won III similar manner.
Geo. Thomas won the elegant fitting water
pitcher; Lew Dawson took in ths barrel
OF apples; j. p. Cutting took the hand
some horn broom holder; Miss Z. NJ.
Lowell captured the manicure and toilet
set; Hal Young and Jessie Woods won the
perfumery bottles and skates; G. o.
Up,sen walked OF With the autograph al