Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-16

centennial worlds fair at PhiIadelphis
Ia 1915 wac made.
We then babe adieu 20 our estimable
friends. Captain Pettis and the city
of1eiais, and started on our homeward
Journey, via Shore Line railroad.
Net at New Haven.
At New Haven We were met by .
deiegaIe from Merriam post, Comrade
W. r. Rogers. vice department. COM
nander OF Connecticut. We arrived
at Meridian At .. N. and were At once
driven 10 the beautiful residence OF W.
r. Rogers, situated on the bluff over
looking the city, where We remained
Their guests during our stay IN Merl-
den- Commander Rogers and his wife
dld ali IN their power TO make our stay
with them pleasant and most enjoy
able, which We will ever love 10 re-
member.
In the early morning the carriage
was IN waiting which took US to the
mammoth silver factory of the Rogers
Bros, where We saw manufactured all
kinds OF sllverware taken from tn Q
crude material ana step by step trans
formed into the most perfect form.
They do al immense business. en-
ploylng 800 men and women.
We then visited several other fac
tories, which occupied our time until
noon. In the afternoon We were
driven around the city and over the
beautiful drives leading To the noun
taIns.
Merlden has a population of 10000
inhabitants and Is situated IN valley
surrounded by mountains. The city
has many modern residences with e1-
pansive lawns. Our party agreed that
Meriden reminded Us very much of
our own city.
There were exciting times in Meri-
den during our stay, as there was =
local election. They elected what they
term seiectmen, using them on the
school board. / told them We always
selected our men. but not always out
OF the best timber. One novel thing
about IT, was that part of the select
men, were women. Our hostess, Mrs.
w. +. Rogers, being chairman of the
school board, and very efficient one
too.
Given . Reception.
There was also an aristocratic we'd
ding. q democratic and prohibition
political meeting and reception
given US as representatives of the
Grand Rapids q. A. X. and relief
corps. The reception was described at
length IN the Daily Journal, from
which the following is taken:
The reception to DR.. Failing and his
family last night was not wholly G..
A. K. one, for citizens outside of the
post gathered to help the veterans
meet, and not only greet but honor
their guests. Such men as ex-Mayors
Page and Lines, Attorney Sawyer, DR..
Barker, Postmaster Dryhurst and Gill
bert Rogers lent their presence.
The program of the evening was well
arranged. Commander Breckenridge
had charge, and though 1t was late
when the exercises began there was
pleasure enough subsequently to make
amends for lost time.
About the very first thing, after the
commander had read his address of
welcome, w. +. Rogers delivered an
excellent address, during which he un-
velled q covered figure at the rear of
the stage and brought TO view hand
some statuette of Columbus, OF local
make, standing on a pedestal with his
left hand resting on u globe, represent
ing the world. The base was of onyx
and handsome stand supported the
whole. This he presented to DIR. Fail
ing IN q happy manner, asking him to
accept it, take it home and give it a
place in his household, hoping that 1t
would bring up memories OF the Silver
City friends. At the same time while
the doctor could claim II as his own he
could show it to his friends in the
Valley City and tell them that the
friendship of the Silver City boys had
some substantially TO it. He only
wished more of them were present.
will only add that the members of
Merriam post, Ladies Relief corps and
citizen of Merlden did all ia their power
to make our visit as enjoyable and
pleasant for US as possible.
Were Cordially Sincere.
The memory of those pleasant hours
will be indelibly stamped upon our
hearts, never to be erased. Their every
speech and action was expressive of
love and fraternsl feeling IN their
hearts for the comrades and citizens of
our city such "a can only exist IN the
comrades whose motto IS Charity,
Fraternity and Loyalty.
With heartfelt thanks to them for
the honors shown us IN behalf of our
brother comrades at home, We babe
them good-hy and IN the morning took
the train for Gotham. Scarcely had
we become settled in our hotel there
when we were waited upon 10y Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank :. Ely with orders from
headquarters TO capture, guard and
guide us through NE metropolis, which
they most sstistactOr ly did, frat lead
log US through the slums of the
city, such as the Bowery
Chatham street. Five Points and
China town, thence 10 the streets
of the money kings, Exchange Place
and Wall street. and passing over the
marvellous Brooklyn bridge To Brook
lyn. Returning, we were taken 10 the
top of the great and beautiful World
building, which rises above all others
high IN the heavens, from which We
had view of New York, Brooklyn
aud New Jersey, and New York bay.
from whose waters arose the majestic
form OF the Goddess of Liberty.
We then took the Elevated road up
town, and after eating hurried lunch
We were driven up the Riverside bOule.
ward. famed for Its beautiful scenery,
being located between Central Park aud
the Hudson river. We reached the
highest point in the drive. which over
looks the city and the grand old Hud-
son river, where now rests the remains
of the greatest solder OF his age, the
one whose every eomrsde. aud whom
every true American love 90 honor
Gen. Z. :. Grant.