Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-09-07
VETERANS AT NEWFANE.
Ninth Annual County Reunion
Held Last Friday.

1900 TO 1000 People Present, and 500
to 600 Veterans I'm Line In the Parade
---the ENercises---COmpany Reunions.
The ninth annual meeting of the Wind
nam County Veterans association was held
at Newfane Friday. The day seemed to
nave been specially made for the occasion.
Inc showers of the day previous cooled
ana freshened the air, and put the streets
ana lawns in perfect condition. At an early
hour the veterans and their families began
TO arrive. The train from jamaica Lon
dOnderry and other stations brought a
goodly number, until 1900 or more people
were congregated to await the arrival of the
train from Brattleboro, which brought ND
four carloads of the veterans and their
friends, together with the Artillery band
and valley drum corps of Brattleboro. The
line was Immediately formed near the de-
pot, headed by the band, which acted as
escort to Brchard post of Newfane, while
the other posts took their usual positions,
Sedgwick post of Brattleboro being headed
by the drum corps. There was short
march through the principal streets. The
houses along the line of march were in
holiday attire, decorations of flags, bunting,
etc, being displayed. The dress parade
took place on the lawn in front of the Wind
ham County House. Five to six hundred
veterans participated in the march.
After dress parade the troops were re-
viewed by Gov. Fuller. An hour was spent
in handshaking and renewing old acquaint-
ances, and in company reunions. Dinner
call was sounded at II As, when the line
was reformed, to march to a large mess
tent pitched near the court house.
Justice was done to the spread of baked
beans, brown bread, doughnuts and coffee,
generously provided by Birchard post and
the townspeople. It's estimated that over
lOOO people ate dinner in the tent, and we're
urged to eat more, as quantities of food
were untouched. The drum corps furnished
music during the dinner hour.
At l o'clock the exercises of the after
noon began with band concert which was
enjoyed by all, the old soldiers especially
being interested in the American overture,
introducing old war songs and national
hymns; and the young people in the darkie
selections, introducing vocal parts and clog
dancing. The selections were loudly APP
plauded.
Shortly before the gathering was called
to order by NJ. d. Whitman from a speak
ers' stand directly in front of the court
house. On the stand were seated Gov.
Fuller, Past Department Commanders H.
E. Taylor and Hugh Henry, Department
Commander G.. F. Branch of Newport,
Coils. Hooker, Bond, Haynes and Haskins,
and prominent members of the association.
The election of officers resulted in the
choice of Col. Thomas Harmon, Brattle-
borO, president; DR.. E. S. Weston, New
fame, vice president; r. NJ. Pratt, Dunn
merston, secretary and treasurer; George
, Haynes of Wilmington, Col Kittredge
Haskins of Brattleboro and r. NJ. Pratt of
! Dummerston, executive committee By a
rousing vote it was decided to hold the next
meeting in Wilmington.
DIR. E. S. Weston was chosen toastmas-
ter. In a few well chosen words he well
coined the people to Newfane, and then
read letters from several veterans regrettng
their inability to be present. Gov. L. X.
Fuller's toast was "Vermont." His speech
of 10 minutes length was intently listened
to. He gave an account of the organiza-
ton of the association and of the recent re-
union on the old camp ground at Brattle-
= boro, in the presence of the old war gov
5 ernor, Frederick Holbrook, who years ago
= was mastering brave men to fight for their
, countIy's cause. He told of the noble part
2 taken by Vermont in the war and wished
health and prosperity to everyone present.
Mrs. Blanche Pratt sang 1.-The battle cry
of freedom" in pleasing manner, accom-
panied by an instrumental quartet from the
= band. The speaker of the day was Depart
ment Commander Z. f. Branch, the Grand
Army of the Republic being his subject.
t To enumerate the many fine points which
/ he brought out would be TO repeat his en-
tire speech. "This is a notable organization
of 2S years standing and there are today
> enrolled 100000 loyal hearts, loyal to the
S nation and to themselves" Mr.. Branch
: mentioned the many battles in which the
e Vermonters were called upon to do and die
9 for their country's good. The people may
e become tired of hearing of the war, but
S what theme more interesting He asked
t his hearers to imagine themselves before a
4 great painter, who, with his brush, was
=, portraying the many great conflicts, this
v furnishing a fitting introduction to his briei
= account of the principal battles. Mr.
a Branch's address, with its many humorous
s illusions to war times, was loudly APP.
j plauded.
# Col. Hugh Henry was the next speaker
= He kept his listeners in good humor and al
!, the same time interested them in the sub
e iect of disabled veterans. He spoke on the
:. pension laws and the Soldiers Home. He
told how $50 veterans were receiving the
benefit of the home, and argued against The
efforts to reduce the expenses of maintain
d ing that institution. He said that such {
n thing might be done, but that the veterans
/, who served their country so well should
n have las now everything possible dom
$. for their comfort. He told also of the noble
y work of the Womans Relief corps AT tn
conclusion of his remarks Mrs. Pratt san!
g "Red, white and blue" the audience join
t! ing in the chorus.
'f The POSTMASTER next introduced thu
"ladies' man." Col. Hooker, whose toas
= was "The women of this country" Col
Hooker after INDUCING in pleasantries
paid tribute to Harriet Beecher Stowe
whose "Uncle Toms Cabin" was such al
incentive toward wiping out slavery, an
also recognized the work of the Relic
a corps, closing by thanking the women o
Newfane for the days entertainment
Judge L. NJ. Read of Bellows Falls spok
ne on -four Flag" and after he was introduC
of ed the band played the "Star Spangle
~ Banner" Judge Read referred to the de
RS creasing number in the ranks of the Gran
lis nj tho hOOa that n