The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-28
THE ATcHIson ENcAMPMRNr.
Wichita by Unanimous Vote Gets the
State Soldiers Reunion.

of Sedgwick county were repre-
sented by full delegations, Garfield
post alone having no less than sixteen
representatives in the encampment
which consisted of about 600 members
The city of Atchison has walked w
from an antiquarian slumber long
enough to put on holiday attire and wei
come this noble association of old
soldiers to her hotels, homes aud fire.
sides, in manner that would have been
creditable even to a perpetually wide
awake city like the Peerless Princess.
No one but a chronic kicker could find
fault with the arrangements made, not
only for the accommodation of guests,
| but for the various societies kindred to
the G. A. r.
The weather, which always cuts
an important feature wherever
humanity becomes massed for profit or
| pleasure, was all that could be desired.
The crowd was large enough even to
satisfy the rapacious nav of Missouri
| river town. When it came to sleeping
three in bed and separating man and
wife until eight blocks interviewed be-
tween their respective touches, it did in
deed look rather suspiciously as if Atch-
inson might be full-and Atchinson was
full. Don't mistake the significance of
that last remark.
Two of the leading attractions adver-
tised with great flourish of trumpets to
appear on this occasion failed to materi-
alize-Commander-in-Chief Palmer and
Mrs. General, Logan. In fact there
was a dearth of distinguished
individuals present - leaving out
home talent. But for all this
there was no lack of entertainment. If
the opera house was given over to to an
ameteur dramatic company, the cast was
a good one, and every delegate to the
encampmont was given free ticket.
There were campfires each night where
the boys fought their battles over again,
and renewed their youth in the fountain
of eloquence, witticism and anecdote
that gushed in perpetual stream from
the mouths of campfire orators. This is
why a well conducted camp
tire has no equivalent in the line of en-
tertainment on the face of the globe In
its conception and fruition it is purely
Americana creation of the war. 1t
will abide for little time and then, as
the generation that gave it birth will be
garnered in, it, too, will vanish, and be
no longer known of men.
The encampment was presided over
by Department Commander Tim Nc
earthly in manner that surprised even
the most sangulne PERSONAL friends of
the ex-auditor. He presided over that
large and somewhat turbulent body of
men with the ease and grace of prac-
teal parliamentarian, and the Hibernian
drollery of his repartee In replying to
some smart aleck from the rural dis
tricts brought down the house on more
than one occasion. The most remark
able thing to me was that man nearly
three score years old, absolutely
without training as a public speaker
until of recent date, should develop
into an orator, not silver tongued, it is
true, but with a ring of rude eloquence
that stirred my heart more than once
His speeches, while not lengthy, We're
frequent. and on varied subjects. His
presentation speeches in awarding the
prizes to the three posts showing the
greatest average of increase, and his |
reply to A. B. Campbell's magnificent |
badge presentation address, were three
efforts which in my judgment would be
difficult to excel.
In the election of officers Railroad |
Commissioner A. r. Green was elected |
department. commander over o. H. |
Coulter, editor of the Western Veteran, !
by Is majority-iust the strength of the
Garfield post delegation.
liant Of the st. John Military academy of
oil
nander over r. A. Campbell of Hutch
nson.
T. B. Gerorr of Atchisen as gallant an
-rishman as Tim Mccarthy and as thrill
ing and soul stirring an orator as Kan
las boasts OF today, had an easy race for
junior vice commander.
DIR. Cork of Harrington and Rev.
3rant of Fort Scott were elected to the
positions of medical director
md chaplain.
Commander Green appointed his staff
IS follows: A. B. Campbell of Topeka
}. A. R., Captain Andrews of Lawrence
p. NJ. e., Ben Downing of Wichita
l. G., Jack Downing of Hays City
;. NJ o.
Among the delegates to the national
at Washington are Henry
'chad and James 0. Brown both of this
ity.
Rev. n. E. Harmon of this city who
las just retired from the office of de-
chaplain. acquitted him
elf with more credit than
sually falls to one who has held this
position. BY some, it has been con-
idered a sinecUre, but Chaplain Har-
non discovered duties pertaining to the ,
flee not dreamed of in the philosophy
t some folks, hence all who heard the
eading of his practical annual address
ronounced it one of unusual force,
igor, and utility. Chaplain Harmon
fficiated at the funeral ceremony of j..
enator Plumb. In, front of me stood l
enator John u. Palmer. As the chap
hin proceeded with the beautiful service, {
noticed moisture IN the eve of the
ged senator, and a tremor about the i
louth, a look of deepest reverence
eemed to steal upon his conntenance, h
nd when the last word was
ttered. an audible amen, not
ally from his lips, but those OF 4
Tiers, who stand high in the nations
1uncil, was plainly audible. We may =
OF always have Chaplain Harmon with
5. and l want 10 take this opportunity Il
bearing testimony TO his spotless
laracter as long as / have known him, \
1d to has usefulness and capabilitv in
Re Grand Army both in the post and in -
lie department.
In the matter Of the business OF this
lcampment, there was none transacted =
trivial character. The crank. the
sturber OF fTaternaI relations. ali that
, TO make up bedlam. were serenelY sat o.