Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-06-13
CITY CELEBRATES
The Twelfth Annual Encamp-
ment of the G. A. r.
W. R. G. AND s. OF v.
A Three-Days Session of Three Patri
otic Orilcrs-Thc Visitors
Made Welcome.

Wednesday, Thursday aud Friday,
June s, & aud 8, were memorabilia days to
every citizen in Pierre and the epoch OF
the state encampmcn. of the Grand Army
ofthe Republic, Woman's ReiefCorps and
Sons of Veterans. passed into history
with nothing but the most pleasant rec
elections of the occasion. Pierre has
always enjoyed the reputation of being
foremost in the ranks of hospitality but
upon this occasion she fairly outdid her
self. fang visitor has cause for COM
plaint as to his reception, ii certainly was
not the intent of those having the arrange
ments in charge. but an oversight or an
uncomfortable combination ofunfortunate
circumstances.
The appearance of such Il large number
of the veterans of the late war and their
stalwart sons in uniform, flags, bunting,
badges and appropriate decorations, filled
the air with patriotic and almost rcvcr-
entail sentiment that was strangely i'm
pressivc. Men who had fought OH the
same battle field. who had not seen each
other for years were brought togcthcr'
and the bond of friendship forged by shot
and shell is not weakened by lapse OF
thirty wears, but seems to grow stronger
with the passage of time. The debt we
owe the old soldiers for their manful fight
for our country's honor could not be
measured by dollars and cents, and tho
least one can do toward repaying the ohi-
CATION is to earnestly strive to avoid any
thing-by word or deed-that will deter
iorate or make less keen the pleasures of
the old veterans in their last days of glor-
ions manhood. A pleasant word or an act
of kindness costs but an effort and is
usually productive of the most beautiful
results.
The business men and citizens displayed
a commendable amount of energy in the
way of decorations, the most noticeable
being the window fronts of l4cet 4 knowl-
ton, j. ID. Hilgcr Il Co.. Mrs. Dinsmore,
T.. +. Dorothy and others. AT the center
of Pierre street and Dakota avenue ropes
we're stretched across the four corners
and from the opposite ends to the center,
covered with bunting and flags. On the
Pierre street side facing north was the
banner "Welcome, q. A. r." in letters
discernible several blocks away. and it
was o welcome in the fullest sense of the
word.
The headquarters OF the different or0crs
were ut the Fitch block and all day long
it was crowded %ith visiting veterans.
On Wednesday evening a general recep-
tion was given to the visiting delegates,
iii which all three orders took part, in the
representative hall at the state house.
Probably the largest congregation ever
assembled in Pierre was in attendance
and the ceremonies were Gttingly rem
dered and gracjously received. The hall
was arHstically decorated: the chandelier
composed of bunting aud Aqgs which re-
yolved in mid air in the center OF the
epaciOus hall, was in itself work OF art
The exercises commenced by selection
from the Pierre bard. which was cheered
TO the echo by 1900 throats.
Capt. Philip Lawrence acted as master
ofceremonies and assured the vast audi
ence the building was perfectly safe bnt
\ enjoned those present from stamping
their feet. The department. chaplain
Rev. H. M. Springer, of Clark, invoked
the aid OF the divine presence for tho
evening.
The address of welcome was given by
Hoa. Cae I. Crawford, and he extended
the hospitality of the city to the visitor!
In his usual pleasing manner. Hisspeecl
was short but to the point. Capt. Law
renee welcomed the visitors on behalf O
Sully post No. 10, in few weil-chosen
ramarks. Division Commander Carpen
ter responded on behalf Of tho g. A. r
He was we'll pleased with the reception
given the encampment and was loud il
his praise Of Pierrs's cordialitv,
The address of Miss EppIe Mcmillan
president of the relief corps, was one o
the most enjoyable features Of the eve
ming. She made the visiting w. r. c
feel perfectly at home, and her address
was supplemented with bright flashes o
wit and humor. Mrs. Emma f. Robinson
department president of the w. r. c. res
pended In pleasant vein, and wa
1. greatly pleased at the reception given TIL
y visiting members.
The song and dance by Master Goddard
:g8 six years old, 80 enthused the andienc
and especially Comrade Peter Bayard, Q