The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-12-21
SURPRISED THE VETS
Drum Corps of Van HOuten Post
Entertain Their Patrons.

-
Entertain Their Patrons.
Van Houten Post No. 3, G.. A. R., last
night met at their headquarters in the City
Hall for their annual inspection, entirely in
nocent of the fact that the young fellows of
the Drnm and Flute Corps had quietly ar
ranged a surprise for the veterans
On Thursday night Van Houten Post made
a fraternal visit to James H. Perry Post No.
SO, of Brooklyn, and extended to them an in
vitation to witness the inspection, in re-
spouse to which Commanders II. w. Pipe, of
Perry Post, and a large delegation of menu
bers were present, together with Department
Commander Of the State, Henry s., White;
Senior Vice Commander E. F. Brainard; G..
/ R. Paterson, of Zabriskie Post, department
in spector and Street and Water Commits
sioner; Chief mastering Officer G. +. Gift
ford, of Post II. of Newark; Joseph L. Ham
nell, commander Of Dahlgren Post; James
Houston, commander of Post "a, OF Eliza
beth; u. T. Brown. commander of Mansfield
Post %, Of Bayonne, and Thomas Wood.
commander of Zabriskie Post 80, who had
been especially invited as guests of the occa-
sion.
Fhe post was inspected by Inspector Pat
erson. Two hundred and fifty men answered
to the roll call, and after q thorough inspec-
ton Of all the inspector announced perfect
ness in every detail and highly complimented
| the post on its splendid condition.
The inspection was followed blythe Drum
| and Flute Corps rendering in its usual SUI
| perior style several of their favorite airs,
| and Post Commander Frank @. Cole thanked
them on behalf of the post for the efficient
service rendered at all times when required.
Mr.. Cole in his remark alluded to the
| Venezuelan question, saying that there is g
great difference between duck shooting and
the s e~riousness of war, and those men who
have experienced its sufferings, hardshlps
and horrors and know its stern realities,
pray to God that there will be nc war, buu
should at any time necessity call for the up
holding of our old flag In the face OF tres
pass or usurpation or to protect our free in
situations, the veterans Of the Grand ARMY,
if not too old, will be among the first to re-
spond.
At this point Mr.. Cole was interrupted by
Officer of the Guard Pete Kuntz, placing In
his hand a paper requesting him to call to
the front Comrade James McGee, and pre-
sent to him on behalf of the drum corps a
testimonial of their appreciation Of the deep
interest he has always taken in the welfare
of the corps.
Comrade Niece, very much surprised,
went forward and received an elegant gold
| luOulbtu S1lA ! Liz 11A-AOA3AIkd<kA<A
Cole made a very neat presentation speech.
To the further surprise OF the post, printed
programmes of an entertainment devised by
the DIR uni corps were distributed to the as
constituent OF the veterans, and as an ac-
compa niment, the boys who make the music
coffee, cake and cigars. and the entertain
ment they had provided was q good one and
made the old soldiers feel Young again.
First was an overture by Van Houten Or
chestra, Messrs. Fl. A. Schuhardt and George
Coffin, then Mr.. R. Bruce gave a comedy
sketch, The heeny,n Mr.. Edward Merritt
gave a song I'M dance and personated the
"Old Mig to perfection; Drum Major I. j
Lynch gave d splendid exhibition OF his
mysuic evolutlons with the baton; Charles
Forrest played on the harmontca; mandolin
and guitar selections were rendered by
Messrs. MiOla Gebbia and Toney Red; a rec
itation by Mr.. y. Blake was well received;
tn & kice Brothers executed pleasing banjo
selections; the whole concluding with q
~xylophone solo by Mr.. w. j. Ferguson with
piano accompaniment by Prof. II. II. Wag-
ner which was loudly encored
Several other numbers on the programme
had to be ommitted owing to the laJeness of
the hour. The selections were interspersed
with short speeches by Department CON-
mander White, Senior Vice Commander
Brcmard, Chief mastering officer Clifford,
Inspector Peterson, Commanders Pipe
Hammell and Past Commander Oakley, OF
Elizabeth, also Past Commander Sands pre-
sented TO the post a fine crayon LIKENESS OF
the present Commander Black, Vice Com
nlander Bowers taking the chair and re-
ceiving it In behalf OF the post, both he and
l'the doner making neat speeches.
At the close OF the Joyous event Van
Houten Post, headed BY the drum aud flute
corps, escorted their guests to the ferry aud
depot, attracting many spectators to their
| mldfiiphf rlaYadA