Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-02
Line of March at St. Paul Crowded
With Spectators.
PROFESSIONS OF EIGHT DIVISIONS
Singing Children Grouped to Form
an American Flag.
GIRLS SCATTER FLOWERS

cent years 1t has been thought necessary to
shorten the length of the parade Of the old
soldiers of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, and this years parade exceeded two
miles by but trifie, and as 1t was over
smooth streets and easy walking, no ILL
effects were anticipated from the tramp.
Beside the meeting and recounting of old
experiences and renewing old acquaint-
ances there is nothing that goes ahead of
this event. and to it many of the old vets"
look forward through the entire year, saw
ing their strength for this return to the
days when comrades they carried mus
kets and touched elbows, and found them
selves not so stiff after short march as
now. AS the years have passed more have
dropped out of line, many have joined the
silent majority" and the gradually dimin-
ishing line recalls the more than genera
ton that has passed since these were hight
Ing men without equals.
The various divisions formed on the
streets that cross Western avenue and
when the final gun was fired. shortly after
10 o'clock. the parade began to move south
from Dayton and Western, moving south
TO Summit, the various divisions falling in
as the column passed.
Gen. Walker and staff headed the parade.
The first division, led by the veteran signal
corps, and including the departments of
Illinois. Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, fol-
lowing
Inc second DIVISION consisted OF the de-
partmentS of Ohio and New York.
In the third division there were the de-
partments of Connecticut, Massachusetts,,
New Jersey. Maine. California. Rhode
Island. New Hampshire, Vermont, Poto-
mac. Virginia and North Carolina.
The fourth division was made up of the
departments of Maryland. Nebraska,
Michigan, Iowa and Indiana.
The departments of Colorado, Wyoming
Kansas, Delaware. Missouri and Oregon
were in the fifth division.
The sixth division included Kentucky,
West Virginia. South Dakota, Washington,
Alaska. Arkansas. New Mexico, Utah and
Tennessee.
In the seventh division were the depart
ments of Louisiana. Missouri, Florida,
Montana, Texas, Idaho. Arizona. Georgia.
Alabama, North Dakota, Oklahoma and
Indian territory.
The department of Minnesota closed the
parade, comprising the eighth division.
ThronEs of Spectators.
As the head of the parade turned down
the Broad Summit avenue the old veterans
Strengthened their shoulders and tried to
renew their youth, lining up of old, when
they had been able to turn a corner in a
straight line. The avenue was crowded on
both sides with the spectators, who ap-
plauded favorite posts. or favorite leaders.
and now and again cheer went up for the
fine appearance of some Of the less-known
POSTS.
Pretty Girls Scattered Flowers.
Opposite the residence of Col. R. NJ New
port many white haired veterans uncovered
and saluted. as they recognized the widow
of their loved BLACK Jack" and Mrs. John
A. Logan carefully returned every salute.
AS the head of each division arrived at this
part of the avenue group of pretty young
girls stepped out into the street and scat
tered flowers before the oncoming vet
q hlOSSOmS nd
proudly placed them in their button holes.
This scattering of flowers, in tribute Of the
bravery of the old veterans, was done by
twenty daughters of old soldiers, several of
whom were also the descendants Of the
young girls who, more than century ago,
scattered flowers before the feet Of General
Washington he was en- route to New
York to be inaugurated as first President
of the United States. This linking of the
hero of the first war of the nation with the
countrys saviors In the late war was fur
the little children of the Thaddeus Maltby
Chapter of the Children of the American
Revolution saluted the veterans with their
waving flags and by singing a song espe-
cially written for the occasion by Mrs j.
o. Adams of ST. Paul
The column swept on down the avenue,
past the mammoth residence, where were
ledies headquarters, in front of the big
reception stand in Summit Park, and under
an evergreen arch erected at the head Of
9th street by the colored citizens of st.
Paul, who thus neatly suggested that IL
their hearts the memory of the soldiers
Of the rebellion would be ever green.
Living Flag of Children.
The long column Of the old veterans turn
ed down 9th street, past the numerous
grand stands, with their many thousands
and the crowded sidewalks. At the vacant
end Of the square which is being con-
strUcted the new government building,
there has been put up grand stand for
1900 children. whose red, white and blue
capes and toques were so arranged as to
form living flag. The children had
grown bit restless, but when the head
of the procession appeared they were ready
for their part in the honoring Of the SOL
der heroes, and General Walker and staff
saw and heard the living flag burst into
song and activity that gave vigorous evil
derce that the patriotic spirit was not
being stified in the rising generation The
sWaying bodies were kept in unison, well
representing waving flag
At the lower end of 9th street the review
Ing stand had been erected and when Com
mander-in-Chief Walker arrived there he
left the line and took his place on the stand
where he returned the salutes Of the old
veterans. as they passed by, and were dis