Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-09-24
The Veterans Meeting.

The Veterans Meeting.
The annual meeting OF the Otero Coun-
ty Veteran Association was held at the
fair grounds. Rocky Ford, last Saturday
and Sunday. The rainstorm OF Friday
night had quite dampening effect on
the gathering, interfering with the prep
arations and preventing many from be-
ing present.
Saturday morning was 30 cold and
threatening that no part Of the program
was carried out until o'clock in the af-
ternoon when sumptuous soldiers din
ner was served in horticultural Hall.
Barbecued beef, splendidly cooked un-
der the direction Of G. T. Gerbing, was
in generous supply, as also were bread,
beans and coffee. The pumpkin pie and
cake we noticed on the tables were, we
suspect, dainties with which the veterans
had but little acquaintance when down
in Dixie.
The election OF officers resulted as fol-
lows:
Pres, Milton Reynolds; Vice Pres. as
follows: l. M Mechanical, J w Dout-
hitt, Mrs Jones, Mrs A s Burr, J S
Gilbert; Sec, J II Burr; Treas, A B
Webster; Com Sarg, Dennes; Marshal,
M S Martin; Ex Com, d l. McPhilimy,
90 Washburn, j 7 Russell.
On Sunday the churches Of the town
united in a union service at the fair
grounds. The grand stand was we'll
filled with an attentive audience. The
opening hymns were, "Am q Soldier OF
the cross" my Country "Tis Of Thee"
and "Onward Christian Soldier"
Rev b. j. Greear preached from the
words of Paul, II have fought a good
fight" He said that this was world Of
conflict, both IN mans own soul and in
the natural world. The sandburr will
triumph over the corn unless the corn
stalk has help from tho outside The
smaller bug is constantly being eaten by
the lnrger bug. There is war and con-
tention everywhere. All wars come from
the author Of confusion. All nature has
been touched by mans sin. The blood
shed during the war is chargeable to the
greed OF the men who sought to extend
slavery. The old soldiers fought q good
fight during the war Of the rebellion and
he urged them to continue tho battle for
the noble cause OF character and the
right. The fight which lays selflshness in
the shade is the best fight The old SOL
der, the speaker thought, should be o
pattern OF christian manhood. Don't lay
down your honor like Sampson. You
fought well in the sixties. How are you
fighting now 2 How can old soldiers
profane tho name of God who preserved
you from the fierce fire OF battle p
Occasionally We sec G.. A. b. comrades
IN the ditch from intoxication-men who
helped save the country but will not
save themselves. There is general un-
rest. What is tho matter Tho people
havo forgotten God. he hoped the old
soldiers would come out successful in the
fight against the World, the Flesh and
tho Devil and win crown Of glory in
the mysterious hereafter.
The sermon was followed by basket
picnic, tho q A Il comrades supplying
rOast beof to all picnicera:
In the afternoon the Woman's Releif
@. n. Hall presiding.
guase, impressed ON tho old sol.
diers the necessity for living the higher
Life.
Mis- Agnes Clark gave . Memorial
Day recitation.
Mn. Jones Of La Junts spoke Of tho
value Of The W. r q. work foe The old
soldiers.
Miss Della Badger recitod Tho Little
Brown Button"
Mia Maggie Towne in addressing the
audience was pleased TO be able for the
first time In her life TO use the term "fel.
low citixcns" 10 Colorado's rec
ognition Of woman's fights. This was
not tho occasion nor the day for talking
politics but she would refer to the po-
tency Of tho almighty dollar which was
everywhere felt. Most men and some
women think they know more Of finance
and politics thnn did Alexander Hamil-
ton. II the stamp OF the United States
is on n gold, silver or paper dollar Il goes
wherever the flag goes. The dollar is
essential, but there arc better things
thnn money. Let the children be taught
to be truthful, honest and loyal. Miss
Towne paid worthy tribute to the
rents not to delegate to the school teach.
ers tho cntire labor OF training their
children.
After the close OF the W. r. @. pro-
gram the q. A. r. Members Ind n short
meeting and listened to addresses by
John 4. Russell and Rev. Walker OF La
Junta and NJ. Badger md Milton Roy
nolds Of Rocky Ford.
Thanks were voted tho Fair Assn,
for use Of grounds; Prairie Cattle Co
md Frank Bingham for beef; Senator
Swink for honey, etc; Mrs Mnrtha
Washington and others for cakes; Rows
Grccar and Mayo for words Of cheer;
q I Gcrbing for cooking meats.