The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-09-19
TIIrKSIlAY.

THURSDAY.
Business and pleasure was combined by
the Grand Army folks to-day. While tho
delegates to the national encampment settled
down TO legslate for the good Of the order
and 10 select officers for another year, the
rank and file INDUCED In the reunions that Of
late years have become one of the most in
teresiing features Oft the encampment week
Out at Camp Caldwell and in the tents over
at JeiIersonville, as well as In the school
houses and other post headquarters. the sur
vivors OF state regiments ana companies now
scattered throughout the country. met to-day
TO say God bless you,' once more and TO
rehearse enever-to-be-forgotten incidents on
the battlefield. There were many affecting
scenes as comrades who had not met aince
the war recognized each other Their 10y
could not find expression in words and they
Tell upon each others necks, while the tears
streamed down their wrinkled faces. There
were many ex-Confederates, too, who hunted
W the reunion quarters OF regiments with
which they engaged In battle and made
themselves at home with their former foes
Thus In scores OF place throughout the city
the blue and gray spent the day and evening
In federation that came from the heart and
soul.
THE BUSINESS SESSION,
For the meeting the national music hall
had been handsomely decorated with national
colors, and the official flag OF the organization.
Promptly at 10 o'clock Commander in Chief
Lawer called the encumpment TO order.
state Commander Kelly was present and
greeted the delegates in behalf OF the city and
Grand Army Of Kentucky. The response
was delivered by ex-Congressman Warner, OF
Kansas City. Then, amid a scene OF wild en-
thusiasm and waving hats, Henry Watterson
whose oration at Pittsburgh last year brought
the encampment TO Louisville, was escorted
to the footllghts and addressed the Grand
Elcamppent IN u speech full OF patriotism
and good taste.
Immediately after the excitement and 6p-
plause had subsided, the annual addresses OF
the commauder-in.chief and the other gem
eral officers were delivered.
W. A. Ketcham Of Indiana then prescrted
the name OF Col. lyen A. Walker, OF lnEan-
apolis for commander in chief as a represent
alive OF that peerless and sturdy loyalty that
rescued the nation. He was a man who stood
firmly when unmerciful disaster seemed 70
follow and fasten upon the armies. lie had
fought at Richmond, Perrysville and suffered
In prison.
7. S. Clarkson, OF Nebraska, said his de-
pariment had presented his name as "a can
didate for commander-in-ch chief. Ho would
however. decline to be a candidate against
Comrade Walker and moved that the rules be
suspended and that the adjutant- general be
directed TO cast the unanimous vote OF the en-
campment for Comrade Walker. Mr. Clark
sons action produced thunder of applause.
1he motion prevailed with hurricane
Of cheers. When order was at
length restored Commander Lawler formally
declared Col Walker elected. He directed
some comrades TO escort the new command
er 10 the platform, which was done amidst
enthusiast; shouts and cheers of the old vet.
Grams on all sides.
Regarding the location OF next years en-
campment Thomas Anderson said he was au-
thorizcd by all the railroads west OF Missouri
20 oHer for Denver, "A rate OF | cent mile.
w. II. Powell reported that Illinois was in
favor OF 81. Paul. Edgar Allen did the same
for Virginia The Maryland comrades were
anxious TO have the encsmpment for 1897 at
Baltimore. and they felt that IL It went TO
Buffalo they would havo no show two years
hence Nearly al! the sout hern and eastern
states felt the same way and n combination
was formed for ~. Paul. New York voted
soidly for Buffalo, while Pennsylvania. Ohio
and Illinois gave their strength to st, Paul.
The first ballot resulted: Nashville 33 votes;
Denver, 1903; Buffalo, 226; 81. Paul 1893.
While 100, 900 people were watching the fire
works along the river front at ten O'Clock to-
night portion OF the grand stand on which
were seated at least 10000 people, gave way
and many were injured. No fatalities have
been reported.
The portion OF the grand stand which fell
was about 400 feet long and 60 feet wide. II
was the lower part, and only elevated about
two feet. Immediately behind this part were
seats elevated 10 20 feet On the entire
stand there were 80 900 people.
The delegates TO the encampment found II
difficult TO get down TO business after the
emotion created by the welcoming exercises.
The scene that followed the closing words
OF the fervid oration OF HeAry Watterson
was thrilling. The speaker was over
come with emotion. and left the front OF the
stage Men rose in their seats and not only
cheered but yelled. They cried and cheered
by turns. Rugged each other and themselves.
aud threw hats, fans and handkerchiels into
the air. But they were not prepared for the
touching Incident which followed 20 seconds
later.