Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-14

The G. A. r. Department of Delaware
held its annual meeting at Middletown
Thurcday, and notwithstanding the severe |
storm there was quite large gathering |
present.
The meeting was held in Major John !
Jones Post room, III the Opera House |
building. The morning session began !
shortly after the arrival OF the Whining |
ton contingent, at $50, and was taken up |
with the reading of the reports of nunler- |
Gus committees and other work of gen.
eral nature.
The annual election of officers which |
took place in the afternoon attracted less
attention than usual and resulted in the |
naming of the following gentlemen: De-
partment Commander, Edwin 4. Wood of
Dover; Senior Vice-Colnmander, William
Kelley; Junior Vice-Commander, James
Agnew; Chaplain, Joseph Miller; Medical
Examiner. DR.. c. o. Stonger; Delegates to
National Encampment, Joseph $. Wheeler
and Richard Heritage.
The annual report of Department Com
mander Vantine was of a very interesting
nature, and was part of the proceedings
OF the afternoon session. He was in favor
OF cultivatlng more social feeling in the
organization, and recommended that old
soldiers should be taken care Of instead of
having their names erased from the roll
for the non-payment OF dues. He made
emily met with favor by the veterans
present
Among the guests was Commander-in-
chief Lawler of Illinois. He made all
address relating to the general work of the
Grand Army, and touched upon MANY
interesting points i'll the work of the
organization. lie also urged all those who
possibly conld do so to attend the national
meeting at Louisville, KY, on September
18th; l. may be mentioned here that Mr.
Lawler is now visiting every department
of the g. A. r., in the United States. and
If he is successful will be the first COM
inander who has ever done this. General
Atger of Michigan, undertook the task
but was not successful. He travelled in
his private cur, but this proved more of Il
detriment than an advantage.
The report of Quartermaster-Genera
Fowler was made during the afternoon.
II went to show that many members of
ihe order had died during the year, and
hat Others had dropped ont because they
were unable to pay their regular dues.
i, The latter was particularly noticeable in
the posts in the small towns. Adjutant-
General Finley also made his annual re-
port during the afternoon session. The
committee on erecting monument to the
memory of General Thomas A. Smyth
reported that the monument would shortly
be raised.
While at Middletown the visitors were
guests OF Major John Jones Post, No. -
of that town, and st. Andrews Post, No.
IA, of Odessa. The guests were given both
dinner and supper by the local posts and
the menu of baked beans, cold meats bis
cults and coffee was much enjoyed. Major
John Jones Post had camp fire in the
evening for the visitors, but very few re-
NAMED over, owing to the severe storm
land the prospect Of being snow-bound Fri.
( day.
~ Commander-in-Chief Lawler, Quarter
master-General Busch and Peter b. Ayars
and Daniel Ross, the two last-uamed of
this city, were entertained by Mr.. Joseph
q. Jolls. while at Middletown.
The various committees and other mat
tiers will be made known i'll general order
Wood.
CoMBADE KgLLEY's LUCK.
William Kelley of du Pont Post, this
city, who was elected senior vice-com-
mander, is the youngest member of the
Grand Army in this State, being only
about AZ years of age. He was with the
volunteers and the regular army about
four years. OF his two brothers who en-
listed at the same time, one was killed at
the battle OF Antietam, and the other died
in hospital at Washington from illness
contracted while on the march. MIR.
Kelley knew of his brothers. illness at the
time and, securing a short leave of alb.
sence, went to the hospital to see him, but
his body had been sent to his home here
AOI DuIlal one lOUT before he arrived,
and now rests in old Asbury cemetery
There was no opposition to Mr.. Kelley ;
election to senior yice.commander and il
was made unanimous. At the present time
he Is president of the War Association and
national vice-presdent of the State. While
IN the army he served with Co. f. Eighth
Maryland; Co. X, First Maryland and Co
A, Thirtieth L. ;. Infantry.
PLEASED WITH THEIR RECEPTION.
The late Delaware train from down the
State Friday evening brought the delegate,
who reside above Middletown. There wa.
about car load Of the veterans and they
all spoke i'll the highest terms Of til
hospitality of Major John Jones Post Of
Middletown and st. Andrews Post OF
Odessa, who had entertained them Will,
at the encampment. Several member.
from New Castle were on board Wher
the railroad company refused to attach ,
passenger car 10 the late nOrthpounc
freight, the visitors from points north oil
Middletown gave up all idea of remainin!
over for the camp fire in the evening an,
II was arranged to have a camp fire in thi
city, at the post room at Tenth and Marke
streets. The New Castle delegation wer
to be present, but the snow storm was to-
much for them, and they left the train a
that station.
When the train left Middletown, nearl
half hour late, the snow was falling fas
and drifting furiously, and it Was teare
snow-bound before they reached this city
but the train pulled through with bi
httle difficulty. The G. A. Il. men opene
! box opcigars and passed around anon
We passengers in the smoking car and I'll
hide home was made one of the pleasat
Incidents of the day
DC POINT POST AT 4 CAMP FIRE.
The members of du Pont Post No.
gave camp fire Friday night, on their r
turn from MiddletOwn, at which Con
Inander-in Chief LAWYER was the .ue,t ,
honor. Addresses were made by the con
mander-ln-chief, Quartermaster Buscl
Daniel Ross and others, aud incidents
army life were discussed by the half
hundred members present, Luncheon W,
served and the severe storm Oltsu
seemed to add to the good cheer aud soci
bllity OF the gathering around the 10
room.
The Modern Invalid
has tastes incidentally in keenipy mi