Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-04-04
Around the Campfire.

The Castleton Grand Army post
held a camp fire in the townhall Fri
day evening.
DR.. J. II. Linsley of Burlington has
been appointed examining surgeon for
the pension office.
Monday evening of last week,
Stoughton w. r. G. of Bellows Falls
celebrated its tenth anniversary.
The G.. A. r.. and L. A. S. of Bris-
toll presented "The Girl Spy" in that
town last week and netted neat sum
for their treasures.
Aaron Keller post, G. A. r., OBJ
serves Memorial Day this year at
Hyde Park village. Exercises of the
usual interesting character will be
held. II. M. Mcfarland has been in
vited to deliver the address.
Arrangements are being made to
combine the trumpet corps of Com
pany A., lst Regt., V. N. G., Rutland,
with drum corps. If the present
plans materialize, the corps will be
the only one Of its kind in this section
of New England.
/ ii. G. Caswell, about twenty years
old, died at Bennington, March 18th,
of typhoid fever. He was member
of Company X, Vermont National
Guard, and held the championship
badge until the last contest, when he
was not able to appear.
Custer Post Of Bennington has ar
ranged for the celebration of Lees
surrender, the evening of April 9th.
Quite number of posts have been
invited and Post Wood of Hoosick
Falls, N. u, has accepted the invita-
ton. The event promises to bring
out one of the largest gatherings of
Grand Army men seen there in years.
| The ladies of the w. r. c. Of St.
Johnsbury had a very successful pow
erty social at the G. A. r. hallrecently.
The costumes worn were very appro-
pirate to the occasion and caused no
end of amusement. The supper was
arranged from bill of fare not con-
ducive to govt but at the same time
was well enjoyed by all. Songs were
rendered by Mrs. ii. X. Ide and Miss
Hatch of Lawrence, Mass, and appro-
pirate readings were given by Miss
Matte Jenness and Miss Bessie
Stacy. The attendance was large and
a material addition to the w. r. G.
treasury was made.
| Col. George II. Bond of Brattleboro
has been recommended by Department
Commander Barney Cannon, Jr., OF
the Grand Army for appointment as
special aid-de-camp on the staff OF
COMMANDMENTS Chief Lawler to have
Icharge of military instruction in the
public schools of this state. Geo. w.
Wingate of New York is the special
aid at the head of the movement. Col.
Bond will probably communicate with
the commanders of the Grand Army
posts of the state to have them bring
the subject before the different school
boards, and will also write direct to
| the boards. When school committees
and teachers meet to discuss the move.
ment, delegations from the Grand
Army posts will be present to present
arguments in its favor. 1t is hoped
that army officers may be secured to
drill the boys. Officers are now de-
tailed to colleges and academies, but
cannot give instructions in public
schools until new law is passed.
B. J.Austin of Lowell was somewhat
surprised a few days since on receiv.
ing letter forwarded from johnson,
addressed to the friends or connections
of Lieut.. b. j. Austin, Co. L, Bird Regt
Vermont Volunteers, johnson, Vt.
The writer Of the letter, w. F.Savage,
watch and diamond merchant of Co.
lumbus, O., stated that he had in his
possession relic of the war which he
would like to return to its owner, il
living, or to his friends and connec.
tons, knowing that they would prize
it. Captain Austin recognized it as a
brass check which he wore attached to
his watch chain, by which he could be
identified if he should be killed in
battle, and which he lost on the bat
tlefield in Virginia during the second
year of his service in the Civil War, 30
years ago. On one side was engraved
"War of 1861, United States" On the
reverse. "Lieut. B. J. Austin, Co. E,
Bird r. E. G., Vt. Vols, johnson. "Mr.
Savage found it attached to an old
steel chain, among a lot of old watch.
es which had been brought to his
grandfather's shop for repairs years
before and never been called for He
put it in his pocket in 1888. From
june, 1888, until June, 1891, Mr.. Saw
are travelled in Europe, all the while
carrying the brass check, which has
had y long journey, and has now been
returned to its rightful owner, who
will prize it as a relic of the war for
the Union.