Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-08-15

south of the line, and the southern
folk intend to show the old soldiers
the vast difference between entering
the south land Oh missions of war and
peace. Nothing in Kentucky will be
too good for the WearerS OF the blue,
and if the union veterans in the old
days found Southerners bitter fighters,
they will now find them liberal dis
pensers of hospitality.
When the invading armies reached
Louisville in 1861, they found a COM
paratively small city, whose commerce
was largely composed Of the cotton,
tobacco, grocery and negro trades.
The old soldiers will find so many
changes in the place that few will
recognize it. In the war days it's pop
ulation was 10000. Today it's Inhabi-
tants number 100000. More than that
it is a place full of hustle and activity.
For months the citizens committee
of Louisville, which has charge of the
encampment arrangements, have
worked induStriOuSly to meet the huge
| task of entertaining 100000 visitors, a
number greater than the whole popu-
! lation of the city. Subscriptions to
the amount of 100000 have been col
lected to defray the expenses. There
are fifty-fve public schools in the city,
and all of these, together with other
public buildings, will be placed at the
disposal of the visiting vets.
Across the Ohio river, on the In
diana side, are the towns of New AL
bany and Jeffersonville. The citizens
of these places have organized to care
for the overflow from Louisville. All
of the schools and public buildings
will be devoted to the use of the Wis
itors in these towns.
The country in and around Louis
vile gave $500 men to the confeder-
acy. Those of them left have entered
into the spirit of the occasion with
even more ardor than the average citf
zen. There are also a great number
of men in the city who fought on the
union side. In all, Kentucky con-
tributed 100000 fighters to the north
ern forces The particular heroes Of
the occasion win be the few who are
left of RousSeaus old brigade, which
formed the nucleus of the army of the
Cumberland.
Gordon and Longstreet, of the south,
will be there, and both of them will
bring from Georgia many wearers Of
the gray who will help along the gen
eral jubilation. Soldiers of tie con-,
federacy from all parts Of the south
will gather there, too, and when the
enemies of old meet, some strange
tales Of adventure will be told. Men
who were prison companions will hunt
each other up and go over their trials
and troubles again.
The Louisville committee has at
tended to many details which will be,
gratifying to the vets. All the physi-I
clans of the city have been organized,
and will doctor any who may need
their care free of charge. The drug
stores will also fill prescriptions free
or for nomir 1 charge. Every pre-
caution has been taken to protect the
visitors against any schemers who,
may seek to overcharge them.
The railroads have made such lib
eral reductions that even the poorest
of the old warriors will have little eX-
cuse for staying away. Rates of a
cent a mile have been made from all |
points in the central traffic associa-
ton, one fare for the round trip in ,
western passenger association, and a I
cent a mile from Louisville TO any !
point in the southern passenger rail-
way asSociat ton.
Commander-in-Chief Thomas q.