The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-09-18


Business and pleasure was combined by
the Grand Army folks to-day While the
delegates to the national encampment settled
down to legisate for the good Of the order
and TO select officers for another year, the
rank and file INDUCED in the reunions that OF
late years have become one Of the most in
teresting features OF the encampment week.
Out at Camp Caldwell and in the tents over
at Jeffersonvile as well as In the school
houses and other post headquarters, the sur
vivors OF State regiments and companies now
scattered throughout the country, met to-day
to say "God bless you, once more and TO
rehearse never-to-be-forgotten incidents on
the battlefield. There were many affecting
scenes as comrades who had not met since
the war recognized each other Their Joy
could not find expression in words and they
fell upon each others necks, while the tears
streamed down their wrinkled faces. There
wore many ex;Confederates, too, who hunted
up the reunion quarters of regiments with
which they engaged IN battle and made
themselves at home with their former foes.
Thus in scores of place throughout the city
the blue and gray spent the day and evening
in a federation that came from the heart and
soul.
THE BUSINESS SESSION,
For the meeting the national music hall
had been handsomely decorated with national
colors, and the official flag oithe organization.
Promptly at 10 o'clock Commander-n-Chie
State Commander Kelly was present and
greeted the delegates in behalf OF the city and
Grand Army OF Kentucky. The response
was delivered by ex-Congressman Warner, of
Kansas City. Then, amid a scene OF wild en-
thusiasm and waving hats Henry Watterson,
whose grafton at Pittsburgh last year brought
the encampment to Louisville, was escorted
to the footlights and addressed the Grand
Encampment In a speech iull OF patriotism
and good taste.
Immediately after the excitement and up
plause had subsidized, the annual addresses OF
tho commander-in-chief and the other gen.
eral officers were delivered.
W. A. Kecham OF Indiana then presented
the name OF Col. Iven A. Walker, OF Indian
apolis for chief as represent
alive OF that peerless and sturdy loyalty that
rescued the nation. He was a man who stood
follow and fasten spon the armies He had
fought at Richmond, Perrysville and suffered
in prison
partment had presented mis- name as a can
didate for commander-in-chief. He would.
however. decline to be a candidate against
Comrade Walker and moved that the rules be
suspended and that the acknowledgement be
directed to cast the unanimous vote Of the en-
campmsnt for Comrade Walker Mr.. Clark
sons action produced thunder of applause.
The motion prevailed with a hurricane
OF cheers. When order was at
length restored Commander Lawler formally
declared Col Walker elected He directed
some comrades to escort the new command
or to the platform, which was done amidst
enthusiasts shouts and cheers OF the old vet
Grams on all sides.
Regarding the location OF next years en-
campment Thomas Anderson said he was au-
thorized by all the railroads west of Missouri
70 offer for Denver, a rate OF / cent a mile.
W. H. Powell reported that Illinois was in
In .I De. a Al
Tor Virginia The Maryland comrades were
anxious to have the encampment for 1897 at
Baltimore. and they felt that II 1t went to
Buffalo they would have no show two years
hence. Nearly al. the southern and eastern
states felt the same way and a combination
solidly for Buffalo, while Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Illinois gave their strength to st. Paul.
The first ballot resulted. Nashville 33 votes
Denver. los; Buffalo. 226; 81. Paul 393.
While 100 900 people were watching the fire
works along tho river front at ten O'clock to.
night portion OF the grand stand on which
were seated at least 10000 people, gave way
and many were injured. No fatalities have
been reported
The portion of the grand siaad which fell
wss aUout 40o ieet iong ana ~ Zee, wlue: IL
WAS the lower part, and oniy elevated about
two feet Immediately behind this part were
SEATS elevated to 20 feet On the entire
stand there were 81, 900 people.
The delegates TO the encampment found II
dtficult to get down to business after the
emotion created by the welcoming exercises.
The seene, that followed the closing words
OF tbs fervid oratioa OF Henry watterson
was thrilling. The speaker was 1. over
come with emotion. and left the front OF the
stage. Nan rose In their seats aud not only
cheered but yelled. They cried and cheered
BY turns. hugged each other and themselves.
and throw hats, fans ADD hasdkerchiefs into
the air.. But they were not prepared for the
touehjng jnc;depi WHICH followed 20 seconds