Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-09-19
THE DEDICATION
State Monuments on Chicka-
manga Field Presented to
the Government
With Appropriate Ceremonies
Thousands Attended the
Exercises.
An Evening Meeting in the Big
Tent Speeches by Prom
inent Persons.

early dawn the tens of thousands of peo-
pie in this region, natives and visitors,
began to stir themselves. By sun up,
hundreds were ON the streets and before
s O'Clock, every thoroughfare in the city
was thronged. Not since the bloody
battle that occurred here 33 years ago,
has there been $ many people in this
region. Some of the old veterans say
there are more people today than upon
that awful event. Estimates as TO the
size of the multitude vary.
Some of the conservatives say there
are not over 81 1000 and others place the
number at 100, 900 ormore. At daylight
the people began to move towards Chick
afternoon, the trains and electric cars
reminded one of those leading to the
worlds fair at Chicago. They were
damned. The crowd was well handled,
however. A large number of special
policemen We're On duty and there was
no congestion or, blockades to speak Of.
At the battlefieids were hundreds of We
hicles of every sort and description pre-
pared to carry passengers to any part Of
the historic field. 1t is now definitely
settled that Chattanooga will nave as
her guests four of the presidents Of
fetal family. Secretary Hoke Smith,
Secretary Herbert, Attorney General
Hartman and Postmaster General Wilson
arrived during the day.
Dedicated Monuments.
The first event of the day was the
dedication Of the Michigan state ntonu-
ments on Snodgrass Hill, a point where
there was probably more hard fighting
during the battle than at any other
point on the field. Governor John. I.
Rich with his staff and the park com
missioners, arrived at the hill shortly
after 8 O'Clock. Chairman G. Z. Bel
KNAPP, president of the Michigan com
mission, in a brief speech, in which he
told of the work done by the commits
sion, called the assemblage to order and
then introduced Governor John I. Rich,
who spoke briefly.
Colonel Henry M. Duffield of Detroit
responded. When he had finished there
was music by the military band, after
which the benediction was said.
The wisconsin
In the northeast corner of that part of
the Kelly field, the monuments of Wis
consin were turned over to the govern
ment at IL o'clock. The exercises We're
presided over by Colonel w. w. Wat
kins, chairman of the state commission.
After the audience had been called TO
order, the Rev. u. L. Webster offered
praye Colonel Watkins formally
turned the monuments over TO Governor
W. II. Upham, who received them and
then transferred them TO the govern
ment.
General Harding made q speech in
after which speeches were
made by Colonel b. II. Bryant, ex-Gov-
ernor w. d. Heard and L. w. Timme.
Ohioans Took Possession.
The veterans of Ohio took possession
of Snodgrass Hi as snon as those from
Michigan had finished. General John
Beatty, president of the Ohio commits
sion, presided. When he had called the
audience 20 order, Bishop Joyce invoked
the blessing of the Diety. Following
the prayer General Charles p. Gros-
venor addressed the gathering.
Short addresses we're then made by
ex-Governor Campbell, who was COVER
nor at the time the commission was ere.
ated, Hon. j. S. Gill, and General j. G.
McElroy. General Aquilla Wiley then
made a formal address, turning the
monuments over to Governor Mckinley,
who j II turn received them and rams
ferred them 10 the government.
Brief addresses by Colonel Andrew
Jackson, Fred Wendell and other MEM
hers Of the commission.
THE Illinois Dedication.
The Illinois monuments were dedi-
Gated on the site where the Widow
Glenn's house STOOD during the battle.
1t is a few hundred yards south OF the
famous bloody pond" The widows
house was burned during the fight, but
"bloody pond" is still there. 1t was so
named because its waters We're red with
human blood after the battle, and the
! ople living in the vicinity say that
SAGE that terrible day animals have re-
fused to drink of its water. 1t was2
o'clock when Governor Altgeld and his
party arrived. Several thousand people,
principally from Illinois, or those who
had served in Illinois regiments were
there to witness the ceremony. Colonel
II. @. Reeves, president of the Illinois
commission called the meeting to order.
PRAYER was offered, after wnici; Gov-
tI.~n1l .uao ;nfrnIucaI aud npda