Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-10-02
1NDEpENDENcE ENTERpRrsE.
How Small Grand Army Post Built
Big Grand Army Hall.

dig 1ranu Army Hall.
The next state encampment Of the
Srand Army, Womans Relief Corna
ahd sons Of Veterans will he held nj
our nrighbnring city Of Independence
and 'he enterprlsing and patriotic ci,i.
zens- Of that live town have been bes,,r.
RUG themselves to he able TO entertain
The veteran s of the union armies and
allied rders In becom NJ st,le. Janu-
AIRY 10th last, General Gibson, Past G
A II was mustered with fifteen mem
oers. They sent Representatives to the
state encampmebt aud got the three
! patriotic orders to agree to hold their
next state Reunion at Independence
against strong co npelition. Eight
weeks ago Gibson post went to work
with nineteen members to erect the
iirst Grand Army hail in the state, and
last Thursday 1t was dedicated in a
most successful manner. Tue auditor.
iam as Il is called, is built In the form
of circular dome, 80 feet IN diameter.
with a tower and flagstaff, aud a stage.
q by 49, which can be shut of and
will be used AS a post room. The build
ing Is beautiful in proportion, the hall
Is we'll lighted from above and with
electric lights, has good ventilation
and perfect acoustic properties. 1t
rests on brick foundation, required
$4,000 feet OF lumber, is completely
covered with $1,000 shingles, took 1900
pounds of nails and is altogether very
creditsble aud imposing structure,
which with the lot is not worth less
than $1,000 and as demonstration of
what one Grand Army post can do,
with the people Of u live town to back
1t, 1t will be worth ten times that much
to the city of Independence.
In the afternoon a camp of Sons of
Veterans, composed Of "a of the best
young men of the city, was organized,
and installed. w. p. Conno.
way was elected captain, Ira Glotfelter
first lieutenant, and f. l., Brown Sec
ond lieutenant. The dedication took
place in the evening, the Independence
band lending valuable assistance with
a program Of patriotic music well rem.
1ered, The exercises opened with |
singing Of America" by the entire
luience of rot less than 600. After
prayer by Rev. Crawford, the noyella
luartette of Monmouth, rendered sew
,ral Of their side-splitting perform
lnces. Miss Susie Fennell played q
very difficult violin solo very grace
ully. Department Commander Ethan
". Allen of the G.. A. II. now gave
he principal address Of the evening.
I was an eloquent, helpful and en-
ouraging talk, highly complimentlng |
he local post and the people Of Iude-
,endence for their wonderful achiev-
nent and the sturdy manner In which
hey had thus early shown that they
we're In every way worthy of the
OF their town as the place Of |
holding the next triple encampment.
The Dallas Glee club then rendered q |
In manner that won great
and applause from all
Mrs. J. p. Irvine reclted 1.-THE
Dandy Fifth" in a spirited manner.
Mrs. w. Babbltt received recall for
GER very excellent piano solo, but only
responded with very graceful bow.
Professor w. Weimer of Salem, was
,alled with even q greater storm of
applause, but declined to take any ad-
of the lady, also making his
DOW. His imitation Of the music box
vas perfectly surprising. Miss Nettie
Jngerman Of McMinnville, spoke elo.
luently for the relief corps. L, Hofer
# Salem, responded on behalf OF the
sons of Veterans and the altogether
,ery enjoyable evening closed with the
,ast audience singing "'rhe Star Span
lied Banner" During the entire pro-
ram Post Commander J. l.. Stockton,
cted as master of ceremony In very
lappy and yet dignified manner A
ingipg letter of encouragement was
cad from Past Commander Cooper Of
who could not be present,
The Grand Army orders and citizens OF
,ur neighboring city are to be congrat-
llated on the opening and dedication OF
Y hat will be one Of the most attractive
md useful public buildings in the state
or years to come.