The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-20

been q great day IN Falrmont, and the
like OF the scenes that have been wit
messed was never before equaled perhaps
in West Virginia. The occasion was the
annual reunion OF the Fleming family
OF the United States, and it brought to-
gether hundreds of representatives OF
the family from all parts OF the Union.
Delegates were present from twenty
five States to the number OF more than
thousand, the largest delegation being
from Indiana, and arriving on u special
train OF five cars this morning. This dele
cation alone numbered about three hun
dred people, and was received ut the
depot by an enormous crowd Of waiting
relatives and citizens headed by the L.
Gust avenue band.
Delegations from other States had ar
rived last night and yesterday, and the
streets OF FairmOntiwere already liter
ally crowded with visitors. The arrival
OF the Indiana contingent completed
the assemblage and the festivities ofthe
day commenced without further delay.
The scene in the town was remarkable
in many respects. The crowds OF strang'
ers wearing handsome badges made for
the occasion suggested the idea OF
general holiday occasion.
Everybody was in gala attire, and
everybOdy's name seemed to be Flem-
ing. One had but TO call the name oil
Fleming on the street to witness nearly
verybody in hearing distance turn his
head and acknowledge the salutation.
1t would occupy too much space TO
name all the prominent members OF the
family who are here from different por-
tons OF the Union, or to trace in any
thing like satisfactory manner the re-
latiOnshipS that exist between them, as
they represent so many different
branches OF the original family.
PROMINENT FLEMINGs.
Among those most prominent in the
immense crowd that was congregated in
the grand stand on the Fair Ground
this afternoon at the formal opening OF
the reunion proper, were: Governor
Fleming. Of this State; Hon. Thomas
w. Fleming, Mayor OF Fairmont; Hon.
S. $. Fleming, of Shiunston, and many
other representatives OF the West Nir-
ginia branches, who are prominent in
public and social life. From other
States were: Thomas J.. Fleming. Of
Philadelphia; Miss Lizzie L. Fleming,
OF NTuncie, Ind; G. ]. Harrington, OF
Pennington, Delaware, aud n long list
OF Fleming's and their connections in
Delaware; Findley NJ. Fleming, of
Frazysburg, Ohio, and large dele
CATION from that State; nearly three
hundred representatives OF the Indiana
branch Of the family; DR.. A. D. Pitcher,
OF Iowa, and number OF other Iowa
representatives; members from Ken
lucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary
land, Illinois, and many other States,
The family now has complete chain
to the seventh generation from William
Fleming, who was born early in the
eighteenth century. The seventh gem
Grafton was represented in the stand by
several children ranging from three or
four years of age down TO very few
months. The Indiana special was de-
layed somewhat and did not arrive until
after ten o'clock, and it was almost noon
before the great crowd followed the
Avenue band to the fair ground, where
the reunion was to occur. The grand
stand ut the fair ground was packed
with the hundreds OF the delegates from
from all parts of the country, large
proportion OF whom were ladies'. A
glance over the throng revealed at a
glance the fact that it was Il thoroughly
representative gathering, their appear
ance indicating every walk of life.
The lawyer, the merchant, the
teacher, the journalist, the laborer, the
6 1lun,tTn MI fINn ia, tnn.InH
ate circumstances, though all showing
evidences OF prosperity; the patriarch
bent with age and the child OF the
youngest generation; more than n
thousand OF them, all Of one family and
one blood, gathered from all sections OF
the country to exchange greetings,
trace kinship, compare notes rs tn
fumilv history and to form ties OF
friendship such us should properly ex.
ist among those whose blood and name
are the same. 1t was scene grand to
me, who took into consideration its
significance.
GOVERNOR AND MAYOR FLEMING.
No formal programme was observed.
After music by the band, Hon. Thomas
W. Fleming, Mayor OF Fairmont, from
n stand in the centre of the grand stand,
delivered brief address OF welcome to
his hns-folk on behalf Of the citizens Of
Fairmont in general and on behalf Of
their relatives in andabout Fairmont in
particular. Mayor Fleming sustained
his double capacity OF welcoming
mayor aud the chosen speaker for those
whose name he is proud TO bear, in
splendid style. lie spoke fcelingly the
words which were evidently straight
from the heart, and gave the guests OF
the occasion genuine old-fashioned
Virginia welcome. At the conclusion
ho introduced Governor Fleming, who
in n few brief words heartily welcomed
the citizens Of other States, and read
several letters of regret from disting-
uished members Of the Fleming family
who were unable to be present. Among
them was cordial letter from Hon.
Frank Fleming, Governor OF Florida.
The most interesting letter was from
the aged Archibald Fleming, OF Urhana,
Ohio. and as it contains some valuable
historical information, give it as fol-
lows:
"URDAxA, Ono, Aug. I, 1891.
"AIY DEAR FRIENDS AND RELArIoNs;-I
sincerely regret that am not permitted
to meet with you and minGle in your
society at the grand reunion ut Fair
mont, the place OF my birth and the
home OF my childhood, as many pleas.
ing associations cluster around the
place. These, however, are partially
Swallowed bvsad remembrances brought
about by the flight of time. find that
aye aud iniirmities are stealthily creep.
ing on mo, and think it prudent not
to venture too far from home. l trace