Evening star., 1896-09-11
THEY HAVE RETURNED.
G. A. n. and w. n. O. Delegates Ba,
From the EncaAnmenf

W' "A. n. anu W. n. U. Delegates Back
From the Ehcanpment.
The last delegate to the national encamp-
ment from the Department Of the Potomac,
g. A. R.. and w. R. c. has returned to
Washington, and all unite in praise Of the
twin cities and their delightful hospitality
The two arms Of the department united on
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad as the
official route. and left Washington In a spe-
cial train, returning in the same manner.
Commander John McElroy was accom-
panied by his full staff and about one hun
dred veterans from the department Mrs
was accor. panied by her junior vice presi-
dent, Mrs Georgiana Chambers; secretary,
Mrs Ida Chase; treasurer. Miss Anna v.
Thompkins; past department president Mrs
Ida V. Hendricks and delegate-at-large,
MRS. Doney. The delegate (Mrs. Isabel
Worrell BslD elected to fill the place of the
regularly elected officer, who could not 60,
met the party in ST. Paul. Other members
were In st. Paul we're Mrs. A. M. Hamilton,
past department president; Mrs. M. M.
North, past department chaplain, and Mrs.
Matte Mcclure, past department treas
urer.
Through the courtesy of Commander Nc
Elroy and his staff the department pres-
dent was invited to make her headquarters
at the Ryan, an arrangement that was ex-
tremely pleasant and marked the first joint
headquarters in the history of the two de-
partments.
A pretty episode Of the trip to st. Paul
occurred at Indianapolis. Capt. Wallace
Foster. the author of the Patriotic Prim-
er and Of most of the patriotic work in
the public scho OILS, Is a resident Of Indian
apolis, which Is also the home Of the chair
man of the national committee on patriotic
teaching. Beth are much delighted with
the progress CT the patriotic work of the
Womans Relief Corps in the District of
Columbia, and Capt. Foster brought to the
Potomac train a splendid bouquet of flow
ers for the department president, Mrs.
Johnson, and another for the chairman of
the committee, Mrs. Isabel Worrell Ball.
which he presented with a congratuiatory
speech. MIS-. Johnson received the flowers
with a graceful little tribute to their donor,
and presented Mrs. Ball with hers on ar
rival in St Paul
Commander McElroy and Department
President Mrs. johnson, with their COM
bined staff. gave d delightful reception at
the Hotel Ryan. which was one of the
crushes of the evening. being attended by
tie national officers of both G. A. r. and
w. X. c.. and most Of the departments. the
officers stationed at Fort Smelling and mem
bers of the Loyal Legion, all of whom are
warm personal friends of Major McElroy.
Chief of Staff Col Carter acted as master
Of ceremonies. The parlors were decorated
fer the occasion with flowers presented by
ladies Of st. Paul. flags and department
baErers. and great sheafs of wheat that
were carried by Minnesota veterans in the
parade. One Of the chief ornaments was
presented by South Dakota-a stalk of
ccrp twenty feet high, with five perfect
cars of corn attached.
Mrs. Susie McCabe, past department pres
ident. although not able to attend the con-
vertion. received a splendid vote for the
executive board, for which she is eminent
ly fitted, and a place the new national
president would have been glad to see her
fill. The Department of Potomac, G. A.
R., brought home one of the desirable Of
fees, DR.. A. E. johnson having been elect
ed surgeon general of the national organi-
zaticn. DR.. Johnson feels quite repaid for
lingering under the shadow of his wife's
honors in St. Paul. appearing as Mr."
Johnson. husband Of Mrs. johnson, in one
of the amateur reports Of the convention
proce edings.