Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-09-18
AT THE REUNION.
OLD SOLDIERS MEET EACH OTHER AT MAR
TINS FERRY.
A Cherries Sky, Continuous Rain, and Muddy
Streets, But Martins Fsrys HOspi-
hlity Rsdssms Everything.

Cherries SKY, CONTINUOUS nan, anu muuuJ
Streets, But Martins Fsrys Hospl-
hlity Rsdssms Everything
Probably eight hundred veterans met at
Martins Ferry yesterday. Rain fell early
in the morning and it drizzled at intervals
throughout the day. The streets were
simply vile. But all the same, Martins
Ferry was SO intelligeutly hospitable that
every soldier who went there to meet his
comrades yesterday will be glad to re-
turn.
The reunion included G. A. r. Posts
of the Seventeenth Ohio Congressional
district, embracing the counties OF
Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison and
Noble, and the crowd of yesterday
contained representatives from each OF
these counties. Threatening weather,
however, prevented larger attendance,
and it was conceded on all sides that had
the day been fair the reunion would have
been an undoubted and unqualified sue
cess. The rain and the plowed-up condi-
ton of the streets rendered imperative o
change of programme.
The residence and business houses
Of Martins Ferry were carefully and
tastefully decorated for the occasion,
CAV banners were stretched across the
street. There was profusien of bunting
to be seen everywhere. Flags, big and lit
tie, were numerous enough to show that
Patriotism is certainly alive in the town.
Bat the rainfall had bad effect on these
generous decorations The flags heavy
with moisture hung from their stats with
the graceful droop of q night shirt on
clothes line and some of the red, white and
blue of the bunting mingled together in
good fellowship.
At an early hour in the morning the
members of the Thoburn Post and the
Sons of Veterans met promptly according
to appointment. 1t was soon definitely
settled that street parade was impracti-
cable aud it was abandoned. The MEM
bers of both organizations were pressed
into service for escort duty, and from that
time until the noon hour every train on
the O. & p. and G. L. & W. railroads was
met and the visitors were given royal
welcome.
As the middle of the day approached,
the streets began to show the crowd. G.
A. K. caps and hats and badges became
more frequent and by that time strong
lunged brass band established itself on
Hanover street. The old soldiers came
together-some Of them for the first time
for % years-to talk over the memories OF
the past and the hopes of the future. Iu
this manner the morning was dissipated.
The ladies of Martins Ferry had attend
ed to their branch of the arrangements
with perfect satisfaction. Dinner was
served in Lafayette Hall to a multitude
of men, womsn and children, numbering
perhaps 5000, and after every person bad
partaken thereof there yet remained sew
eral basketball. Complimentary express
sions we're numerous, but no one could be
found who had heard a single complaint
something rather extraordinary for such
an occasion.
At this dinner were present old soldiers
from Steubenville, Smitb6eld, Empire.
Csdiz, St Clairsville, Mt. Pleasant, Bridge
port, Bellaire, GAINESVILLE, Cambridge,
Amstropg's Mills, Somerton, Caldwell,
Wheeling and from scores Of smaller
places. 1t was estimated that the number
of veterans was between 500 and 1000.
The speeches were made during the
afternoon in the hall, which had been hand
somely adorned with flags and bunting.
The two bands present, the Barresville
and Jefferson, furnished inspiring music,
and when Mayor Matthew @. Mitchell
arose to present Brigadier Commander
David D. Taylor, Of Cambridge, he faced a
magnificent audience, which crowded the
hall to the very doors. The more prom
inent G. A. K. men occupied seats on the
stsge. Among them were General 5. ID.
Hurst, Congressman ]. d. Taylor, Col.
PoormsD, President Smith, of Scio Col
lege, Msjor Moore, Of GAINESVILLE, Col.
Kemple, of Bellaire, DIR. Wellons, of
GAINESVILLE.
While the crowd was surging in the
school children of Martins Ferry sang
some National airs quite gracefully. Rev.
Mr.. Winters, of Thoburn Post, led in brief
prayer, and after singing "Three Cheers
| for the Red, White and Blue" in vocif-
erous manner, Mr.. D. D. Taylor was in
troduce He was followed by General S.
H. Hurst, Department Commander Of
Ohio, who mode stirring address. Con-
gresham Joseph d. Taylor was cordially
received by the crowd. His speech was
much interrupted by applause, and he
was cheered when he gave way to Master
Frank Morgan, of Steubenville, who spoke
piece" very dramatically. Col. G. l..
Poormsn, Of Bellaire, commanded the at
tention of the crowd for short time.
The throng was 80 great that the
speeches could be heard with ex
treme difficulty even a short
distance from the rostrum and this added
greatly to the confusion. Liberal pensions
we're favored by every speaker and the SEN
timent was endorsed by the voices OF the
audience.
Fire works were the feature Of the even
ing.
| A DAY FOB POLITICIANS.
II was a wonderful day for the candi-
dates. With single exception, every
man on each Of the county tickets was on
i the HrOunu uOluk MS picteieoe ioi hiLnoch'
Robert II. Clsylsnd, Democrat candidate
for Treasurer, was among the G. A. K.
boys and his bronze button showed that
he had right to be there. Henry M.
Davies, Republican candidate for Clerk Of
Courts, was another G. A. r. comrade.
Most of the other candidates are men who
have "grown up since the war"
Congressman J. D. Taylor, who will be
a candidate for denomination next year,
was one of the prominent figures among
the soldiers. But his army record hardly
equals that of Col Christian L. Poorman,
who will contest Belmont county with the
Guernsey county statesman. The most
interesting news in connection with the
Congressional fight is that David A. Hol.
lipgsworth, of Cadiz, has not as yet given
/ his friends to understand that he will be q
candidate. Should the nomination mar
row down to Taylor or Poorman the FORM
err will win hands down, and Belmont
county will give him majority OF her
vote in the convention.