The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-07
Indianapolis Is Making Prepara-
tions for the Coming Nationa!
Encampment.
How the Two Hundred Thousand
Men Will Be- Provided
For There.
plstlns uishcd Mon Who viii Mako Adj
dresses-The Cost Of Attcnding-An
Interesting Programme.
TSpecial Corrcspondeuce.1

pilSt UP - l. e' Va WV
citizens executive board in charge of the
twenty sevent national encampment OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, which
will convene in this city Sept. 4, have be
gnn to max a definite showing. The pro-
moters have adhered closely to a well de-
vised system, being thoroughly aware that
an undertaking SO large could not succeed
without following out carefully considered
plans in the most businesslike way. Ac-
cordingly the line of campaign was laid
out by Colonel Eli Lilly, chairman, and
William Fortune, executive director. A
citizens organization was decided upon,
through whom the great work should be
accomplished. 1t was not the least of the
work to inspire the comprehension of the
people up to the greatness of the affair, and
consequently much educational work had
to be done before the necessary funds could
be secured, but in all nearly $l5o,o 0 has
been secured for expenses.
1t is expected that not less than 200 600
people will ba in the city to attend the en-
campnent. This is confessedly more than
the entire population of the city, suburbs
included, but there is no cause for alarm.
The citizens board, composed of 5000 Of
the leading business ant professional men
of the city and state, are not in the least
PSApuA oNu. AN StsulSASlAtolS SlA
Of so many will be due to the system adopt
ed. Three great barracks, capable Of lodg-
ing nearly sc, COO veterans, are in process of
erection. The largest will occupy q spa
cious lawn of 80 acres in the eastern part OF
the city, just south of the State Reforma-
tory For Women and Girls. This is access
ible by electric n steam lines, going di-
rect from the Union railway station. 1t is
distant from down town about 10 minutes
ride. Thu other barracks are within three
or four squares of the heart of the city and
are now under way. Each of these will be
provided with conveniences, including Sit
ting rooms, and checkrooms where for about
scents all valuables may be left with q per-
son who will assume responsibility for their
safe keeping.
But these do not include accommodations
for more than one-half the veterans expect
ed. Thousands of others will be provided
for in the schoolhouses and halls to the
number of so, which have been secured for
this occasion. 1t will take hundreds of
restaurants INC boarding houses to feed
this great multitude, but there will be no
cause of complaint on this score. The din
ing privilege for the barracks has been let
to a competent person, who agrees to fur
nish breakfasts and suppers for % cents
CaCI dsitu Na1iillCIS lOt ooCGANS. llChcUS iIldy
be bought singly. The committee has re-
quired the contractor to submit a bill of
fare for approval and to give BOND for the
proper cooking and serving of all food. AS
to lodging, the veterans must bring their
own blankets, ETC., and to them the bar
racks will be free.
The executive director has announced
that the organization has prepared itself to
find accommodations for any number, pro-
vided he Is notified in time. Early notice
is now absolutely essential. Thu city has
been canvassed and a list secured of all
houses in which guests other han veter-
ans may be lodged and fed. The number
thus to be accommodated isupward of 1GO,-
600 people. The board has a complete list
of these places and will furnish any who
desire to make arrangements in advance
the addresses of houses at any price from
Is cents a night or meal up to So per day.
This latter rate opens the best private
boarding houses in the city. The hotels
have agreed to charge only regular rates.
The committee does not undertake to
handle any money, but simply brings the
parties together to complete all details of
arrangements. An idea of the crowd cx-
pected is caught in the fact that the can
vass of the city for this list showed that the |
residents on an average of every other
house Informed the ~canvassers that they
would entertain friends or relatives during
that week. More people will be in the city
than were ever here before or that ever at
tended any previous G. A. r. encampment.
Another reason for the expectation of an
immense crow is the low railroad rate, a
fare of a cent q mile each way, or better
than one fare for the round trip, having
been secured.
The first of the programme calls for cleo
trical and natural gas displays on Mon
day night. These will be unique in char
acter. Campfires will occur on this night,
at which famous men will speak, including
ex-President Harrison. The grand review
will occur O Tuesday under the charge of