The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-11-15

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Springs STAR, Minnekahta Herald,
Deadwood Times and Pioneer, cards Of
Knight Templars in attendance and
Masonic memento.
TIE CANT FIRE.
A camp fire was held by the old SOL
diers in the NJ. E. Church in the even.
ing. The house was packed to its ut
most capacity, standing room beng
almost at premium.
Major Eaton introduced as the chair
man Of the evening, Col. Geo. F. Silsby,
Department Commander Of the GAR.
He was one Of our visitors who had
never before seen the Black Hills. He
said that from what lie had heard, he
had his ideas considerably elevated con-
cerning the country here and the ad.
vantages it offered for the location Of
the Soldiers Home, but that his expec-
tations were more than realized. No
spot could have been selected to equal
this. A like sentiment was expressed
by several speakers during the even
ing.
After singing, America" BY the
choir and audience, the chairman gave
a little description Of the camp fire as
| it in reality existed in soldier life, how
sitting around it, letters from home
and friends were read, letters were
written, stories were told, the sltua-
ton discussed, and how these so.called
scamp fires" are now held to talk over
old times, to relate experiences, and to
dwell on the themes which memory
holds so dear.
The speaker tlrsn. called upon ]. G.
Huffman, of Huron, who used his in-
auence for Hot Springs in locating the
Home. He entertained the audience
very acceptably for short time.
Marching Through Georgia" was
then sung-solo by Major Eaton, cho-
rus by the audience.
The chairman then said that another
thing about the camp FIRE was that it re-
scmbled a Methodist camp meeting, in
that it was free for everybody to take
part and tell their experience. He then
called on Rev. Tracy for few remarks.
He responded in few words, prefer
ring to leave the time to the old soldiers.
The chairman then informed the au-
dience that in order to have a represen-
tative colored man there he had brought
one along with him. He would now call
upon Old Shady, who could do lots Of
singing bu: no fighting. "Cld Shady
appeared and was none other than Capt
WV. Lucas. After few Introductory
remarks he proceeded to characterize
the original "Old Shady in song, to the
delight of the audience, which fairly
reared with laughter.
| After singing Tramp, tramp, tramp
the Boys arc Marching President
Hancher, of the college. was called on
and responded In short bnt earnes
and appropriate speech.
s. Capt. w. V. Lucas was then givel
an opportunity to defend himself from
the ,,nputation cast upon him by hi
+ commander earlier in the evening. HI
: gave very pleasant little speech.
J. MIS-. Bryson, Department .Inspecto
;, of the Woman's Relief Corps, was mex
!. invited to speak and responded. Sh
S was followed by MIR. +. Van Cise, o
Deadwood. Past Dept. Commando
Hamlin, E. j. Washabaugh, of Dead
J wood, Jealous worker for the Hon
d bill, E. w. Martin, of Deadwood, ia.
e w. Martin, of Martins Valley, and s
). E. Wilson. of Hot Springs, all ot whor
spoke entcrtainingly, but the hou
J was getting late and the audience wa
Is getting tired. and as all good thing
lc come 10 an end in tins life, so it SCENE
n. that the time had come to put out til
- =, camp fire for the night, and the aud
= ence was dismissed with the benedl
e. tion by Ret. Tracy.
lg The speeches were very interestin
l.. and entertaining throughout and we,
10 a fit close to the exercises of the da
- All in all the dav's celebration passt
W off very creditably, and will long
remembered by Hot Springs peop
ed and by all who were in attendance.