Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-22
THE GRAND ARMY.
Washington Gaily Decorated in
Honor of Her Guests.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBELLISHMENTS.
The Comrades Attend Church--PresIdent
Harrison Not Able to he Present
Number Of visitors Not Up to
Expectations.

ways possible rains and winds, when
the preliminary exercises Of the twenty
sixth annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic incident TO the
dedication Of the Grand Army place on
White Lot begin at noon, the city will
present more attractive appearance
than ever before in its history.
John jay Edison, chairman of the To-
cal committee of arrangements, prac-
tically completed all the numerous de-
tails Of his work Saturday night
| Speaking OF IL, he said he felt gratified
that the work OF the committee had
been so thorough and he was assured
by all hands that matters would move
along smoothly.
The first TO attract the attention OF
the incoming Grand Army visitors IL
the waving stars and stripes No mat
ter which way they move, the glorious
emblem of the United States and bunt-
ing OF all colors meet their eyes The
decorations all over the city are elabor-
ate and profuse, business houses and
private dwellings being decorated
Tho government buildings show the
most prominent specimens OF the dec
orators art, The state, war and navy
buildings are deliberately decorated with
the national flag arranged In many artis-
tic ways. The executive mansion is hand
somely decorated. From the roof Of
the porte cochore hang fcstoons of
bunting, while In the center, red and
white and blue strcamers are drawn TO
the base of the supporting pillars on
each Of which is y shield bearing
the emblem of one of the army
corps. Over the main doorway hangs
a large painting OF u @. A. II. badge
surrounded by flags In the east room
the curtains have been replaced by
United States flags, the presidential
portraits remaining moderated.
The numerous granite columns Of the
treasury look very bright, each being
wrapped with a large United States
flag. Each apex Of the cornicos bears
military device outlined In elecrlc lights
and at either entrance stands n column
draped In the national colors. The de-
partmont OF Justice is prettily decorated,
/. numerous flags being festooned ON its
front The marble exterior Of the i'm
terror department forms an imposing
background for the decorations
The designs for the interiors arc
unique, u design, the idea OF Appoint
ment Clerk Lanner greets the eye
on entering On the wall opposite
the entrance IL portrait OF Secre-
tary Noble, above II Is the star, the in
sigma Of the rank Of brigadicr-general,
while below IL Is large vase, contain
ing bunch Of golden rod. The post
master-general's Office Is profusely dec
ocrated. ON the street side OF the
buildings are strcamers and In the CEN
= ter Is u likeness of President Lincoln,
with pictures OF Gems. Grant and Shcr-
man ON either side. The Seventh street
side of the building is similarly adorned,
with the portrait Of Gen Logan, while
ON the Il street entrance the likeness Of
Gen Sheridan Is embodied In the nation
al colors.
The presidents stand u located on
Pennsylvania avenue, directly In front
of tho treasury department IL is hand
somely decorated and will accommo-
date 500 The stand for Grand Com
mander Palmer is in front of the war
department and Is much larger than
that reserved for the president Across
the streets traversing Pennsylvania
avenue are long lines OF flags in the
center Of which Is shield bearing the
name and coat Of arms OF one Of the
states. The river front is robed In flags
and pennants.
One of the most important features
OF the decorations will bc the illumina-
/, ton OF Pennsylvania avenue. Al inter.
walls have been placed skeletons of the
corps badges and other familiar em-
D blems accompanied by the names Of
prominent battles and distinguished
soldiers and sailors, These will fash
out with all the intense brilliance OF
incandescent lights n display unique
: In It's conception and extent One of
these Is an immense g.. A. X. badge
which stands on the corner Of the treas
ury grounds and will be visible its en-
tire length from the capitol
The central place OF interest 10 the
veterans is Grand Army place. Here
are located the reRimcntal, brigade,
division and corps tents, where the old
soldiers may most readily find their as
sociates in the time of peril which they
experienced together. Here are also
the larger tents in which the various
corps reunions will be held-Thomas,
Meade, sherman, Sheridan and Grant
Here also stands the striking repro
duction OF the kearsarge as she steamed
out OF Cherbourg harbor TO do battle
with the Alabama. In the center of
the oval stands flag tower surmounted
by staff from the top of which, at Il
height of 100 feet, floats garrison
standard. Surrounding the base of the
tower is n stand capable of holding 800
people, upon which the dedicatory ex-
ercises will take place.
Directly opposite the eastern end of
Grand Army place stands Albaugh's
opera house, where the sessions of the
grand encampment proper will be held.
The inside OF the opera house is u blazs
OF color--rich, not garish.
Comrades In large numbers already
in quarters sought the religious ser
vices, which In many cases were ar
ranged appropriate 10 the occasion
Ex-chaplains occupied number Of pull
pits, among them Rev. b, Payne, OF
Ocean Grove, N. j., chaplain Of the
grand encampment, who preached al
Covenant Presby church, where
President Harrison attends services. In
the morning s. j. Nichols, OF St. Louis
oanduc ted service attended In body
by Ransom post OF that city. Rev. Dr.
Lucas, d. D., of indianapolis, an eX-
chaplain In the army, preached at Gar
field Memorial church. a chaplnins'
campfire was held at 3 o'clock at the
Congregational church under the direc-
ton OF Rev. w. II. Cotwald, chaplain OF
the denartment Of the Potomac &, A. r.