Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-23
POSTING P0STERITY
On the Deeds and Records of the Men
Who We're Out in 1861.
THE BOYS THEIR OWN HISTORIANS.
Grand Army Posts IS, 12S and 1872 Presented
With Blank Volumes
10 BE FILLED IN WITH WARTIME DATA

12S and 162 were last night given an oppor-
tUnity of becoming their own historians
The rank and file of the Grand Army of
the Republic, the ''boys who did the work.
in 81, or at least as many of them as are
contained in the roll call of the
above mentioned posts, need no longer
fear that their deeds Will 60 down
to posterity, mhonored and msung, for
Ihey;are now. afforded opportunity of relat-
ing their experiences in the front, their
hair-hreadth escapes and doughty Deeds en-
Iircly TO their own satisfaction and without
the coloring which the preiudiced historian
Eabitually bestows on such subjects. Sew
eTal large and handsomely bound blank
volumes were last night presented to these
pests by a number OF citizens who have
taken interest in the war records of the sur
viYors of the ''boys in blue"
The Meeting in Carnegie Hall.
The members of The pests and large
number Of friends, including goodly pro-
portion of the softer sex, without whose
presence no gathering is complete, assem-
bled in Carnegie Hall last evening to wit
ness jhe presentation of the volumes. The
post flags and the national emblem were
draped in front of the organ, and the Stars
and Stripes also covered the table on the
platform upon which were ranged the
books. hereafter 10 he placed among the
archives of remarkable period in the his
tory of the country. Comrade T. g.
Sample, Of Post l2S occupied the chair,
and a uumhcr OF gentlemen interested in
the donation of the books were seated
/.
i martial strain from the q. \. r. Band,
after which a quartet composed of NIessrs
Alec Ross, o. u. Foney, 4. Z. Holden
and Coml.de W. 5. Weeden sang ''The
Bridge 80 ''A Catastrophe" and "POor Old
Joe. a" the latter as an encore. Comrade W.
s Needen followed with "The Old Guard"
a song whose sentiments stirred up
echoes in the breasts
Of many an old soldier present
When NJ. Weeden was half way through
his song the electric lights Went out, and
for the period of 20 seconds there was a
period Of anxiety as to whether they would
como in again. But they did, and j. X
licijlick acknowledged the favor by render
Ing a solo on a Tin whistle.
The Business of the Evening.
Chairman Sample next introduced the
hu>ina-s Of the evening in a short speech.
IL referred TO the quality and calber of the
men who had answered the call to arms, and
Sai3 Inat maGy cf these men had returned |
To- assume positions Of trust and response |
biIiJy ia The service OF the country. He |
referred 10 Congressman W. A. Stone, |
whom he said would make the presentation |
Of the historical volume to Post IS.
Congressman Stone reviewed some of the !
scenes through which the boys in blue who |
followed Sheridan and Sherman passed, and |
described the closing of the war with the J
surrender OF Lee at Appomatox. He had I
mvch pleasure in being selected to present /
The most with the volume on behalf of the |
donors. Felix Il. Brunot. James e. Wyman, |
David ]. Patterson. T. q. Sample, w. |
4. Stone, Spang, Chal1ant & Co. and W. &
h. Walker.
Comrade Scott received the donation on
5ahalf of the post in a short speech. He
aid thar the volumes would serve to record
ne deeds OF the private soldier as those of
lis leaders had been by the historian, and
be houed that the memorials would be of
such character as their children would be
proud OF.
Music That Charmed Many.
The Chairman introduced Miss Ella Nc
InJosh. who sang ''Eugenia'' in very pleas
ing fashion, and was the recipient of |
q bouquet. She was called out again,
and sang Beware" to satisfy
very determined demand for an encore.
Mss Leah Dickinson followed in a whist
ling solo She was accompanied by Miss
Mamie SAWYER in the "Blue Danube"
waltz and the effect of Miss Dickinson's
Of that favorite air can only be
lLored 10 the warbling of a particularly
upetal and high-ranged bird gifted with a
very mclodious voice. So thought the |
audience anyway, for they insisted on an
Moore and yet another, which the fair
responded to by whistling Nora,
me Pride o. kildare, and the ''Nocking
Bird. "
Josiah Cohen was billed to present Post
2S with its volume, but the Chairman, in
ipoiogiZing for his absence, said the duty
levovcd or him, and he did it. This book |
Vas donated by Mrs. J. NJ. Gusl1v, and the |
Chairman pailsa warm tribute to the man.
ler IN which the late Mr.. GusSy befriended !
he soldiers and the charitable disposition
which Mrs. GUSkv had evinced toward |
everyone whom she could in any way assist
" hen the Chairman sat down Charles w. |
Ierwig advanced to the front OF the stage
nd SAID in an oti-handed manner:
There is the name Of one Gerwig on the |
programme to accept this volume on behalf
# the Post lie is not here but l am"
When The broad smile which this SALLY |
/
'roroadcd in very forcible speech of ac-
eptauce In part he said:
The Meaning OF the Gift.
"What does this gift mean? Of the hun
reas OF our comrades who have died, whom
Il them has left anything by which he can
be- rCmcmbcred2 What is there to remind
Is Of them? What reminders have we our
elves of those times when we fought to-
elher2 Only our rpuniOnS and oatherinoS |
,oor all ot US would be forgotten, if it were |
oJ for The generosity OF Mrs Gusky, which
-allcs IL possible 10 hand down to |
Ur descendants the records of |
he Individual, the history of the men who !
erved their country, and the men who stIf-
ered The hard blows in the campaigns. The
ign private in the rear rank, the sailor ON |
be vardam and the marine in the trenches
made it possible for Grant and Sherman 10
in their victories, ami it is right that the
aElCS Of these men should be recorded he
de those Of their commanders Old sol
iers are often called old cranlls. and the :
cries they tell are called chestnuts, but is
ever considered the influence these chest
UJS have on the minds Of the children, in
iiliug natri0tic sentiments in their hearts. I
ga making them so that when in wears to !
one thev in their turn may be called out ,
D fight Tor their country they Will be ready
, respond with an enthusiasm, feeling
patriotism begotten Of the tales
+ what their forefathers had done?
o don't call the old BOYS old cranks. For
say to you that this gift of Mrs. Gusky
IL enable these stories to be handed down 7
nd serve good purpose"
Hiss Blanche next sang ANSWER" after :
hicn Z. Wertheimer presented Post 162
ltn It's volume, on behalf of James B.
o i. /