The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-09-23
THE GRAND ARMY.
Washington Gaily Decorated In
Honor of Her Guests.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBELLISHMENTS.
The Comrades Attend Church-President
Harrison Not Able to BE Present
Number of Visitors Not Up to
Expectations.

| is in readiness to receive her guests,
and barring the resulting havoc of al
ways possible rains and winds, when
the preliminary exercisesof 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 a 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 it, 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 is
! 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
| The government buildings show the
most prominent specimens of the dec
orators art. The state, war and navy
| buildings are ella borately decorated with
| the national flag arranged in many artis
tic ways. The executive mansion is hand
somely decorated. From the roof of
the porte cochere hang festoons of
bunting, while in the center, red and
4 90. 70,
the base of the supporting pillars on
each of which is a shield bearing
the emblem of one of the army
corps. Over the main doorway hangs
large painting of G. A. r. badge
! surrounded by flags. In the east room
the curtains have been replaced by
United States flags, the presidential
portraits remaining undecorated
The numerous granite columns of the
treasury look very bright, each being
wrapped with a large United States
flag. Each apex of the cornices bears
military device outlined in elecric lights
and at either entrance stands column
draped in the national colors The de-
partment of justice is prettily decorated,
numerous flags being festooned on its
front The marble exterior of the in
terror department forms an imposing
background for the decorations.
The designs for the interiors are
unique, design, the idea of Appoint
ment Clerk Lanner, greets the eye
on entering. On the wall opposite
the entrance is a portrait of Secre
tary Noble. above il is the star, the in
sigma of the rank of brigadier-gencral,
while below it is a large vase, contain
ing bunch of golden rod. The post
master-generals office is profusely dec
ocrated. On the street side of the
buildings are strcamers and in the CEN
ter is likeness of President Lincoln.
with pictures of Gems. Grant and Sher-
man on either side The Seventh street
side of the building is similarly adorned,
with the portrait of Gen. Logan, while
on the L street entrance the likeness OF
Gen. Sheridan is enfolded in the nation
al colorS.
The presidents stand is located ON
Pennsylvania avenue. directly in front
of the treasury department 1t is hand
sOmely decorated and viii accommO-
date 800 The stand for Grand Com
mander Palmer is in front of the wal
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 4 shicld bearing the
name and coat of arms of one of the
states. The river front Is ro5cd in flags
and pennants.
One of the most important features
of the decorations will be the illumina-
ton of Pennsylvania avenue. At inter
walls have been placed skeletons of the
corps badges and other familiar en-
blems accompanied by the names of
prominent battles and distinguished
soldiers and sailors. These will flash
out with all the intense brilli;Ince of
incandescent lights, display unique
in its conception and extent. One OF
these is an immense &. A. r. 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 to the
veterans is Grand Army place. Here
are located the regimental, 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
height of 100 feet, floats a garrison
standard. Surrounding the base of the
tower is a stand capable Of holding 1,5OO
people, upon which the dedicatory ex-
ercises win 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 q blaze
of color--rieh, not garish. .ttat..
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. y. j.. chaplain of the
grand encampmen:, who preached at
Covenant Presbyterian church. where
President Harrison attends services. In
the morning s !. Nichols, of St Luis
conduc ted a service e
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