Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-10
VETERANS PARADE.
Nearly 10000 Members Of the @.
A. r. March at St Paul
The LIVING FLAG OF CHILDREN.
The Mammoth Chorus Appeals to the Old
soldlers--Twenty Maids Scatter Flow
ers Before the Marching Host
Camp Fires at Night.

ST.. PAUL, Mimi, Sept 3. NEARLY 40.
900 veterans trampe the streets OF St'
Paul for several hours yesterday, re-
newing the assurance Of their youth
and feeling In their veins the martial
spirit that animated them in the old
days when they marched through the
south a. the victors over those whom
they now honor as comrades. The
wind was an ideal one for marching,
the warm rays Of the sun being behind
the clouds nearly oil dav and q slight
breeze making the tramp much easier
for those milne.
The first departments were directed
to form at $50 o'clock and to be pre-
pared to move one hour later 1t was
lust 1880 o'clock when the head Of the
parade reached the grand reviewing
stand at Smith park and Gen. Walker
took his place on the platform and the
first division headed by the veteran
signal corps passed in review. 1t was
1916 In the afternoon when The last
post in the big eighth division, con-
tanning Minnesota veterans, had passed
and there was scarcely noticeable
break in the line, post followed post
and department coming after depart
meut In almost endless succession.
The enlivening music Of many bands
and the stirring martial sound Of the
veteran drum corps sirnalled the ap.
proach OF each new department and
the crowd showed prompt appreciation
Of the appearance Of various favorltea
Opposite the residence Of Col. r, M.
Newport, the white-haired veterans
uncovered and saluted as they recog.
nized the widow Of their loved BLACK
jack and Mrs John A. Logan care
fully returned every salute Asthe head
Of each division arrived at this part
OF the avenue, 20 daughters OF old SOL
diers steppei out into the street and
scattered flowers before the oncoming
veterans, who picked up the blossoms
and placed them in their buttonholes.
The living fag OF school children
was the feature Of the day that most
appealed to the marching vets, and
many touching scenes were witnessed
In front OF the, mammoth chorus. The
children had been thoroughly trained
by Prof. G. II Congdon, OF the city
schools, and were quick to respond to
his every signal As the head Of each
department arrived the strains Of their
mingled voices could DO heard
above the music Of the bands.
in patriotic greeting, as they sanr
some OF the many songs they
had prepared for such agreeing. And
the old soldiers, as they came past the
corner and saw the great chorus, beau.
tifully representing "Old Glory"
quickly dotted their hats and waved
them in the air, as they shouted their
appreciation paying little heed to the
tears that strcamed down their care.
worn cheeks Then the old vets would
take up the song the children had
started and the heavy voices Of men
with the fresh young voice, Of the
children, thrilled as never before.
Down the street, while columns lined
lower Sixth street, the marching thou
sands kept on till they reached Smith
park, at the lower end OF the street,
where the grand reviewing stand had
been erected. Here Gen. Walker and
staff mounted the stand and the various
departments passed In formal review,
dipped colors and rolling drums salut-
ing, the commander.in-chief respond.
ing with deep bow as he held his hat
over his heart, deeply touched by the
fealty Of those who so honored him as
TO choose him for their honored chief.
On the stand were number OF past
commanders.in-chief and others Of ma
tional reputation, many OF whom were
recognized and applauded by the vets
AS they passed.
Altogether the parade was grand
surcess and the old soldiers are talk