Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-08-22
THE REUNIoNll
A BIG CROWD AND GREAT
ENTHUSIASM.
All the towns North Of Bay City
Represented.
We clip the following report of the
Reunion, at West Branch, last week,
from the West Branch Times:


gan opened Tuesday under very un-
favorable auspices. Showers of rain
all the forenoon made it very unpleas-
ant for those who came in on the
northern train at 10 o'clock as well a.
for the reception committee. But the
visitors came In large numbers and ar
rangements were made as best they
could be, to receive them.
The town was beautifully decorated
for the occasion. Almost every bust
ness place was hastily ornamented
with flags and bunting, and many of
the private residences were gay with
stars and stripes. All our citizens
seemed determined to make the re-
union a success and we believe the
visitors heartily Appreciated tho woi-
come accorded them.
President, j. s. Andrews. of Gay
lord, came in on the early train Tues
day morning, and Secretary Hanson,
of Grayling, with about sixty mem
bers of the Grayling Post came on the
ten train. The afternoon trains
brought large numbers from Cheboy-
gan, Standish, and other points.
Most Of the veterans took dinner on
the grounds Tuesday. The w. r. g.
and w. b. Hazen Post had made
preparations and the regulation army
bareback and beans were supplement-
ed by sundry other good things that
go to refresh the inner man.
Tuesday afternoon exercises were
conducted according to programme.
Addresses of welcome were given by
Nelson Sharpe. Village President, and
Capr, s. v. Thomas. Commander of
w. IL. IIaZen Post. President of rne
Association j. 8. Andrews responded
in quite lengthy address. The band
and the choir varied the exercises with
music. The grand stand was filed
with ladies and throng Of men sur
rounded the platform.
The campfire at the Opera House in
the evening was very pleasant affair
President Andrews presided and short
addresses were delivered by Major
Wilcox, Bay CITY; Revs. j. / Nicker-
son and G. L. Adams; Comrades A. J.
Rose and o. Palmer. of Grayling;
Nelson Sharpe. and last but not least,
President Andrews. The visitors
spoke feelingly of the warm welcome
they were receiving. Comrade Rose
raised storm of applause when he
<zsisf Ess u sEIs1Sss SStten=tiesrs7 IN ortn
Branch. South Branch, East Branch,
and main branch; but friends. for my
part, give me West Branch" The
choir sang several war songs. At the
close Chorister French led in singing
Marching through Georgia, and the
whole audience rose to their feet md
heartily joined in the chorus. Seldom
if ever, has there been so large con-
gregation assembled in West Branch.
The Opera House was filed on floor
and in gallery, there being scarcely
standing room, and many were oblig-
cd to go away unable to obtain ad-
mission.
During Tuesday night there were
many arrivals from the north, among
them Hon. Watts S. Humphrey, of
Cheboygan, one of the speakers of the
day--
AT roll call at 6 80 Wednesday morn.
ing about one hundred members
answered to their names.
Owing to the very disagreeable
weather Wednesday forenoon's exer
cises were postponed until afternoon.
A general free dinner was advertis
ed for Wednesday. From IL O'Clock
until four the committee continued tc
servs as fast as the tables could be-
emptied and filed mp again. Over g
thousand persons were fed and the
committee were finally obliged TO clos,
the doors to prepare supper for the
veterans.
The platform exercises in the after
noon were rendered very unpleasant
by the cold wind and passing showers
The grand stand was packed and tn,
crowd listened more patiently thar
could be expected. Rev. j. ]. Nicker
son offered prayer. "Our disabled
Comrades" was responded to by Mai
Wilcox, of Bay City. in n good i'm
promptu speech,
The next speaker was Watts s
Humphrey of Cheboygan, who re
sponded to the toast, "Our Michigan
Soldiers" The choir sang "Michi
gan. My Michigan"
o. Palmer, of Crawling followed IL
an eloquent address in response to tn,
sentiment. The Loyal Women of I'll,
Union" "Our fallen Comrades" wa
handled by A. J. Rose. of Crawling
1t took all of Mr. Roses powerful
voice to arrest the audience who weI,
compelled to disperse by the damp
cold air. The programme was thel
adjourned to the NJ. 4. church at O.
fclock.
The evening exercises ut the churcI
we're the most pleasant of the entir
Eoccasf0n. Every seat was filed am