The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-28
Read "Better than Pension" See page a.
FROM THE BAY STATE.
What Is Going ON Among the Veterans OF That
Section.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Agitation has
already bcgun in this Department on the question
of the adoption of distinctive badge TO be worn
by all Massachusetts veterans attending the Ma
tional Encampnlent. Rhode Island has its clam,
Maine its pine cone. Connecticut its nutmeg, Penn
sylvania its keystone, and Bay State comrades feel
very properly, that some distinguishing badge
should be seen on their breasts they miDgle with
the veterans from The other Departments. The
idea seems reasonable and proper enough, and the
Council will 1t is believed. defer TO 1t and have an
appropriate badge made, to be furnished to COM
rades at cost.
Willard c. Kinsley Post, lS9, OF Somerville, are
wide awake. For some time they have been
agitating the question of n Memorial Hall without
much success, but just now the prospect has taken
on n brighter appearance. The city, 1t seems, is
beginning to feel the need OF q more comm odious
City Hall, and so the two propositions have been
united and the two branches of the City Govern
ment have passed an order, which is now before
the Finance Committee, which contempiates the
erection OF n Memorial Building at an expense OF
100000, in which the Post shall be comfortably
housed aud the city likewise be adequately pro.
vided for The influence of his Honor Mayor land
Major William II. Hodgkins is unreservedly COM
mitled TO the project, while Conlrade John An
drews. of the Council, is playing him lively sec
ond. Everything now conspires to a suoo sssiul
outcome Of a laudable enterprise.
! was taken prisoner to-day by an ex-Johnny,
who held me nearly an hour while he talked OF
war times in Dixie. My captor was c. o. Gwa!kin,
commercial agent for the Northern Pacific Rail-
road. He was member Of the Leteher battery,
Pegram's Battalion of Artillery, Mahone's Di-
vision, A. p Hills Corps aud as that corps ran
against The Second. 10 which belonged. ofiener
than any other, we found much in common to talk
about Mr.. Gwatkin had q unique experience. 1t
was he who applied the first torch on the evacua-
ton of Richmond. setting the bridge of the Dan
vile Railroad fire. He was afterwards detailed
to accompany JEFF Davis IN his flight, aud was
with him when he captured. His reminis-
cences Of the war are OF The most fascinating
order.
TO Washington next Fall, accompanied by SO from
Post Co. Of Franklin; 10 from Post q. of Grafton;
20 from Post A. Of Fayyis; IS from Post is, of
Ashland; - from Post IA. OF Hopkinton, and 10
from Post &c. of Northboro. Their quarters will
be at Builders Exchange Hall, on Thirteenth
street
Hon. Arthur A. Putnam will deliver the Memo
rial Day address before the Posts of New Bedford /;
Harrison Hume. OF Boston, will speak at Chelsea
in the afternoon. Brockton Ia the evening, and
Newmarket y. H., June i Gen. A. +. Martin, OF
Boston, gives the address 10 the comrades OF Post
IS. Of Boston; George :. Evans speaks at Hollis
ton. and John d. Billings al Wareham.
Post 3. of Taunton, opened a Fair April 49, De-
partnlent Commander Churchill and staff were
present Post 2, of South Boston, open Fair
May 2.
Comrade A. B. C. Derninc has been elected Com
mander Of Post I07, of Palmer, vice Henry, de-
ceased.
Post DOB Bourne. expects 10 send at least IS to
Department President Deane. w.R.C., has issued
General Order No. 3, announcing Corps which
will exempfy the work OF the Order. The first
quarterly report of the Order for the current year
shows these figures: Number of Corps l49: MEM
bership, IL 9sf; amount expended In relief 81 1891
turned to Posts, 81 735 80; estimated value Of
| relief other than money, s6l5.SS
Corps %, Boston, Is thriving. 1t Initiated II
members at the last meeting.
Department President Deanc attended the OPEN
| ing of the Fair at Taunton, April 49,
Assistant Adjt-Gen. Moore has Just issued the
new roster OF the Massachusetts Grand Army. II
contains much interesting Information not hitherto
included in this little pamphlet which the veterans
| will no doubt warmly appreciate.
Post az, Whitman lighted Campfire the 10Th
| and invited It's ncighbors. They came IN goodly
| numbers from Post l3, Brockton; Post 81 Abing-
ton; Post u, Rochlaud; Post I24. East Bridge
water; Post III. Hanson, and Post 205 Bridgewater
! Past Department Commander Charles ID. Nash
presided with great felicity, introducing In happy
way the following guests: Junior Vice Depart
| ment Commander w. A. wetherbee, Assistant
! AdIt-Gen. Hubert o. Moore Past Department
Commander George 8. Evans aud John ID. Billings
George w. Penniman, OF The Sons of Veterans, and
Comrades Savary, OF l3, Richards of 30 Kirmayer.
| OF 205. and Wright, of 70. The Belmont Quartet
! interspersed the speaking with agreeable music
and doughnut cheese and coffee banquet rounded
out an evening of fraiernai enjoyment.
| THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE continues its boom here
| The veterans are beginning to realize more than
ever before IFS value 10 them. The veterans who
! do not Bee 1t arc growing faE between.-B., Boston
Read Better than Pension" See page 4.