The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1889-07-25
HAPPY EX.CONFEDERATES.
FOrty.One Soldier Boys Remembered
by an Old COmrade.

FOrty'Une soldier Boys kememDereu
by an Old COmrade.
MoRRIsTowN, July 1S,-There was a
notable gathering of ex-coniederate
soldiers in Morristown to-day. Be.
sides the forty odd named beneficial
ries OF the Tate fund, there was large
sprinkling Of the boys who wore the
grey.
Col. VIM. B. Tate, in January last
placed in the hands OF Hon. o. G.,
King. of MOrristown, and Geo. P. Yoe
Esq, Of Messy Creek, as trustees, the
princely sum OF 100000, to be distri-
buted equally among the one-legged
and one-armed ex-confederate soldiers
OF the first and second congressional
districts. The trustees were to have
$500 each for their services. Accord
ingly, to- day, forty one soldiers and
the widow of u soldier who died with.
in five years after the close Of the war,
were made happy to the extent OF
$463.61. each.
The veterans made headquarters at
the Cain house and about one O'Clock
the line of march was taken up to the
opera house, where the distribution
took place publicly. The city guards
OF Morristown under command oi
Capt. w. H. Coffman headed the pro
cession followed by the Morristowr
brass band. Then followed the ole
veterans, some leaning on crutches
others hobbling along ON wooden leg
while many others marched along
with armless sleeve hanging limp a
their sides.
The opera house was well fillet
with spectators and the exercises wer
opened by Hon. o. G. King with
brief speech, in which he eulogize'
the generous benefactor, gave an ac
count Of the stewardship of the trus
tees and paid high compliment t
the brave fellows who followed th
stars and bars to the last ditch. Il
his eulogium OF Colonel Tate he re
marked that he would rather be W
B, Tate than President of the Unite
States.
Then began the distribution c
checks as protrated Col. King calm
the roster and Mr.. Yoe paying out tn
checks. James Keeland who, as
railroad guard, defending alone tn
bridge at Strawberry Plains when tn
attempt to burn it was made in 1856.
was present! He fought single hanC
ed for several minutes and only CAV
up when he had lost an arm and ws
literally hacked to pieces with knive
When he started up to the platform I
receive his check there was the wilC
est kind of cheering, and he was plail
ly the hero of the occasion.
Mrs. Cantrell, of Granger count.
was the heroine.
She was loudly cheered as she aroi
from her place in the rear end Of th
hall and modestly advanced to I'll
front. As she returned and the ga,
fearful face met the Craze Of the grin
visaged veterans, cheers were turns
to tears, and many an empty sleeV
went to the eyes to brush away IL
!, great round drops that gathered ar
trickled slowly down their cheek
Some who were not veterans we
greatly touched by the scene, whic
carried to the hearts of the peop
more effectually than anything els
the philanthropy of VIM. B. Tate.
The following is the roster of IL
benefciaries, with their disabilities !;
! JOHNSON COUNTY.
w. f. Shell, Bakers Gap, arm off.
i SULLIVAN COUNTY.
James P, RAIDER, Bristol, leg off.
in. Ingoldsby, Glover Bottom, Il
off.
A. Mcclellan, Bluff City, arm off.
James Keeland, Bristol, arm off.
d. w. Emmert, Blountville, arm I
l. Saml. L. Stone, Kings Mill, Virgi
n ia, leg of.
n Geo. w. Cotter, Leila, arm. off.
d Chas. Adams, Beidleman's, al
e off.
10 HAWKINS COUNTY.
& A. S. Bailey, Male, leg off.
d Jas. H. Everhart, Yellow Store, al
Ie off.
d L. H. Charles, Rogersville, arm {
L. Isham B. Dykes, New Hope, leg {
4. WASHINGTON COUNTY.
u William r. Rhea, Johnson City,
le off.
~ =. Joseph H. Crouch, Keebler's
~ Road, leg off.
~ 0. P. Henderson, Limestone, a
~ off.
e. GREENE COUNTY.
~ Logan Thomson, Pilot Knob,
ne off.
We u