The Portland daily press., 1893-08-02
THE GRAND ARMY.
Preparations for the Approaching
Encampment.
INDIANAPOLIS THE PLACE AND
SEPTEMBER THE MONTH.

Horsemen in the Great Parade-Ar-
rangements, Rates, Etc.
Indianapolis, July 29.-The preparations
Indianapolis is making for the approach
ing national eampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic are on a magnifi-
cent scale. For four days, beginning Sep
TENDER 4, this city will be the hrostess,
and her guests will be tens of thousands
of the gallant survivors of the greatest
war that was ever fought
The management of the complex and
intricate arrangements has been COM
mitted to citizens committee of 5000
persons, including leading men from out
side cities and towns. The head of this
large body, which is divided up into num-
erous subcommittee, is Colonel Eli Lii
ly, president of the Commercial Club, in
which the plan for securing the encamp-
ment originated There is a large execu-
tive committee of which Colonel Lilly
is chairman; Mr.. D. P. Erwin, vlce-chalr-
man: Mr.. William Fortune, executive
director; Mr. Allen Hendricks, secretary
and Mr.. Albert Gall, the Treasurer OF
State, treasurer The committee includes
Governor Matthews, Ex-Governor Ira j.
Chase, General Lew Wallace, and many
others of State and national reputation.
Colonel Lilly and Executive Director
Fortune have given almost all the1r Time
to the elaboration of the arrangements
since it became known at the Washington
encampment that their efforts to secure
the next encampment had been success
full. From that time on no effort was
spared to learn all about every previous
encampment that had been held, to lind
out how success had been achieved,
and wherein failure had resulted. with
the rare executive ability that has dis
tinguished the chairman, whether on the
field of battle, as a brilliant artillery
officer, or in the business world backed
by the energy and intelligence OF the
executive director, the result has been
perfection of detail which gives assur-
ance that, not only will the city acqult
herself with great credit, but nothing
will be left undone for the comfort and
pleasure offthe multitude of guests and
visitors The various committees are
working earnestly and tremendously
upon the lines devised for the systematic
prosecution of the arrangements.
To the thousands at distance whose
eyes are turned to Indianapolis for the
second week in September the question
of what will be the railroad fare is OF the
first Importance. The executive commit
tee has announced that the railroads
have agreed to charge one cent per mile
each way, which makes the rate less
than one fare for the round trip, a rate
never before secured for a Grand Army
encampment No previous encampment
ever had the rate announced so early, thus
giving those who will attend unusual
time to make all PREPARATIONS. This rate
is only to Indianapolis, and does not eX-
tend to the city of the Worlds Fair. But
the managers of the Fair realize that the
encampment being held SO near Chicago
will greatly help tosswell the attendance
there. and have begun to make ar
rangements for a special attraction to the
veterans at the Fair after the close OF
the encampment. With the numerous
competing lines between this city and
Chicago, the rate to Chicago will, no
doubt, be very low.
The problem of providing accommoda-
tions for the great crowds that have al
ways attended these soldier gatherings in
a city having less number of people
than the strangers expected within its
gates, is by no means small one.
Preliminary to providing accommoda-
tions it was, of course, essential to aScer-
tain as nearly as possible how many will
attend the encampment. Owing to the
low rate secured and the nearness to
Chicago it was felt that the attendance
would be larger than ever before. $780,"
said Executive Director Fortune, in
speaking of this feature of the plans,
wrote to every assistant adjutant general
of the various State encampments, to IN
auire how many attended the Washington
encampment from their departments and
from present indications how many would
attend the encampment in this city. The
returns show that
FROM THE NEW ENGLAND STATES
the number of veterans expecting to at
tend this encampment is about 25 per
cent. of those at Washington from that
part of the country. But outside of that
territory the returns show that the at
tendance will be much larger. The great
G. A, R. States of the West report two
or three times as many coming as went
to Washington. The total of increase
which we have been led to expect is
about 40 per cent. more than attended the
encampment of last year, when Washing
ton was said to have held 5000 people.
1t is not unreasonable to expect larger
attendance. Indianapolis has always
been great soldier point. 1t was the
place where thousands found a resting
and camping point on their way to the
front or on their way home during the
stormy days of war. Hundreds have
written to us that it was the first place
where they got a good, square meal on
their way home from the front. 1t was
the city where the great war Governor
Morton lived and worked for the Union
soldier. 1t is the home of ex-President
Harrison.
The crowds are expected to begin to ar
rive during the preceding week, when the
Naval Veterans Association will hold its
annual encampment. The reception of
arriving guests has been placed in charge
of a committee headed by Brigadier Gen
eraI James R. Ross, Of the State militia
SneciaI details of the local companies will
% ont to meet incoming trains and es-
eort the veterans to their lodging places.
Hundreds of trains are expected to arrive
on Sunday and Monday, but SO complete
are the arrangements for handling the
crowd that it is believed no confusion
will result. The railroads are making
ready new stations and new depots for
the baggage The amount OF baggage
that must be cared for at such time
is immense.
The first entertainment contemplated
will occur on Monday night, when the
electrical and natural gas display Will De
made in the yards of the State house ana
Court house. The visitors will DE en-
abled to see natural gas well III fulI
blast, with all it's magnificent roar and
force, burning as monster torch. Wits
..xal.I