The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-08-08
MAJOR HOLMES, LETTER
Leads to Organization to Aid the OOnfed-
crate Home.


the Grand Army of the Republic and
some ex-Confederate soldiers was held
yesterday in United States Marshal
Knights office for the purpose of Civ
ing effect to the suggestions embraced
in the following letter from Major H.
M. Holmes:
AUSTIN, TEX, July 30.-Col. Wiley,
Dallas: Dear Colonel-Would it not
be well for us old boys who wore the
blue to take some overt and active
measures to help and aid the men who
fought us "manfully under shield in
the long ago?
/ have thought that perhaps if some
of those who occupied comparatively
prominent positions in the Union
army would take hold and get up an
appeal it might serve a good purpose
and doubtlessly would be responded to
generously by our people.
You are known and endeared to this
people as one identified with Texas
and with whom the war was but one
scene in the panorama of your life on
which the curtain has dropped and left
you, as it has me, with Glove and tears
for the gray" as well as Glove and
honor to the blue"
Our people in Texas have been hon
ored and met with full and generous
hearts by those against whom we
fought, and it seems to me that out Of
the good things with which many of
us have been blessed in our sojourn in
this grand southland we should be
willing, nay more, anxious to share
our "haversacks" with these men who,
with gallantry unsurpassed in the
annals of history, contended against
us for what they thought was right
for four long years. 1t seems to me
that the honor of coming victorious
out of that struggle is nothing to the
honor that it is now our privilege to
obtain by helping to support and aid
those of them who, in their declining
years, are unable to support them
selves.
Now doubtless each G. A. R. post
will send donation, but there are
many of us who do not belong to the
Grand Army but would gladly align
themselves with their comrades in
this matter.
Hence, L propose that you draw up
an appeal to all soldiers who fought
for the Union in Texas, asking their
aid in this master and appoint COM
mittee to solicit and treasurer to re-
ceive any contributions that may be
sent in.
I would willingly take the response
bility of making that appeal were l
known, but somehow, not being connect
ed wifi the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie am afraid that any appeal l might
make would fall on deaf ears, but with
you it is different. You are known
prominently both by all Grand Army
of the Republic men and also by Con-
federates, and your appeal would
have great weight and bear much
fruit. am, with deepest respect and
soldierly regards, Fl. M. HOLMES,
Late Second United States Cavalry.
Organization was effected by the
election of w. F. Cottman, chairman,
and James M. Steere, secretary, and
then after friendly chat George A.
Knight, w. F. Cottman, HI. F. Ewing,
w. G. Currie, w. d. Wylie, j. ]. Gan
non, d. A. Williams and James M.
Steere were appointed as committee
on arrangements for the means of as
sisting the Confederate Home at Aus
tin.
The committee, as first effort, inn
mediately effected arrangements with
the MacCollin opera company for af-
ternoon and night performances on
the 18th inst, from which the COM
pany as their share will donate $50 to
the Home, Mr.. T. l.. Marsalis on his
part donating the use of the pavilion,
orchestra, lights and ushers for both
entertainments.
The committee has appointed the
following subcommittee to assist in
selling tickets: George A. White and
w. d. Wylie, of Dallas; o. I. Lyon, of
Sherman; S. M. Cannon, of Terrell ;
B. d. Atwell, of Hutchins; w. w.
Beatty, Plano; G. Dickson, E. M.
Heath, Cleburne; R. D. Allison, d. F.
Garish, Mckinney; E. H. Pendleton,
w. M. Merrist, Farmersville; 7. E.
Byrd, Judge Sheriff., Greenville; G..
w. Cotter, Alvarado; Ed Stevens, DR..
Booth, Honey Grove; J. E. Stringer,
Judge J. E. Carroll, Denton; r. H.
Pierce, Hondo.
Volunteers from other towns are
asked for.
A motion was adopted inviting
ladies to assist in disposing of tickets.
The Grand Army men hope that
two more games, then Houston, Dali
las and Fort Worth, each in order,
play three games, and the base ball
season is ended So that the Austin
public with to-day's game can only ex-
pect eleven more fine base ball exhi-
billions this year, and they should
turn out in numbers to every game,
making the most of their opportuni-
ties. Austin will win at least nine of
these eleven games. See if she don't.
O'Connor has very bad finger and is
playing center field. Andrews is hold
ing down the initial bag as well as
could be expected.
/ "
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