The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-27
srectal Dipateh to he n,eligeues

Special DlpGich 10 The M'eligeucT
GRAFTON, W. Va, April 26.-Gratton
enjoys the honor of being tho place Of
rendezvous for the eleventh annual en-
campmont OF the department Of West
Virginia G. A. r., which formally open
cd its proceedings to-day fora two days
encampment, lasting Tomorrow. Re.
presentatives from tho sonsot Veterans
and theWoman's Relief Corps Auxiliary
to tho q, A. r. are also here in annual
assemblage. The town Is gaily decora.
ted with flags aud bunting, in honor Of
the visiting patriots, who are received
with most hospilable welcome, The
weather. however, has been unpropit-
ious and tonight there Is a heavy rain,
but the ardor OF the old veterans seema
to be undlminished, and the hearty
greetings with which they meat one
another and the warmth OF tho reunion
with old friends here indicates tho good
and pleasant time that will mark their
encampment this year.
TIE OPENING EXERCISES.
This afternoon about l25 represents
tives from the various q. A. r. posta
throughout the state that came here to
attend the encampmOnt met in the
court house in formal annual assembly
for tho transact ction OF business, Among
the officers present were Charles ..
Anderson, department commanders
Anthony Smith, senior vice department
commander; +. II. Crago, junior vice
department commander; Rev. Taylor
Richmond, chaplain, and others. With
the opening OF the encampment Com
mander Anderson read an address that
was favorably received by his auditors.
Comrades +. II. Crago and George II.
Wilkor were then appointed a commit-
tee to extent greetings to tho depart
ment oithe Womans' Relief Corps. with
an invitation to visit the g. A. X. de-
partment, to which the ladies OF the
relief corps responded by gracing the
assembly with their presence.
woMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
Mrs. Wickins, tho national president,
delivered an affecting address, that
greatly pleased and deeply touched tho
veterans present. Mrs. Wickins also
presented beautiful basket Of flowers
to the department. on behalf OF the
Woman's Relief Corps. Mrs. g. q.
Murdoch, of Wheeling, president-elect
of tho department OF the Woman's Re-
lief Corps, also made an address. Both
addresses were appropriately responded
to by Commander Anderson.
Following the visit Of the ladies the
various reports OF the officers were read,
aud a committee was appointed on tho
reports. The financial affairs Of the de-
partment showed q favorable increase
over last year.
A TRIBUTE TO HAYES.
Comrado Northcott offered an elo-
quent resolution in memoriam OF tho
late Gen. Rutherford B, Hayes, which
was at onco adopted by the department.
Another resolution offered by comrade
Robertson, Of Wheeling, was adopted
by the encampment with entiro unani-
nifty Of sentiment This resolution con-
demnod the legislature in having re-
fused To make an appropriation OF 81, 600
for monument on the field Of Gettys-
burg in commemoration Of tho valor Of
the West Virginia troops who fought
for the union.
Tho state department Of the G. A. R,
and the Sons OF Veterans will elect
their officers tomorrow for the ensuing
year.
woMAN's RELIEF CORPS OFFICERS.
The Woman's Relief Corps elected
the following officers for the ensuing
year: Department president, Mira.
Amanda L. Murdoch, Of Wheeling;
Miss Amanda Fleming, senior vice
president; Mrs. Mollie n. CoEnwell,
Junior vice president, and Mrs. Annie
D. Carlin, treasurer
A very happy feature OF the encamp-
mont took place this evening in camp
fire hold Ia the opera house, which was
open to the public whose appreciation
was manifested by an attendance that
filed tho house TO overflowing. Numer-
GUS speeches were made and pleasant
"reminiscences OF the war were told 10
the delight Of the large audience, and Q