The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-09-03
NJ ri THEIR CHIEF
COMMANDER IN -CHIEF WALKER is
RENDERED A RECEPTION.
Old Soldiers ana other Visitors ana
Citizens of St. Paul Given an On
portunity of Becoming Acquaint-
ed With the Head Of the G. A. r..
The streeas of st. Paul Illumi-
nnted-v1sitors Still Pouring In
to the City.

St. Paul, Sept. 2.-The first great feature
tof the u. A. r. encampment was the re-
Eceptlon rendered last night to Gen. I. N.
Walker and party at the Ryan hotel, COM
mencng at $50. Old veterans, other visitors
and the people of St. Paul had the pleasure
Of shaking hands with one of the most emf
nent OF the commanders-in-chief of the G.
A. f., for the entire public was invited and
there were no CARDS. .....- .-..~
In Gen. Walkers party were Mrs. Wal
ker, Mrs John A. Logan, widow of the
famous soldier and statesman, Mrs. Sharp,
daughter of Ge... and Mrs. Walker, Miss
Beck, their niece. Miss Dietrich, daughter
OF Col. Dietrich, Gen. Walkers chief-of-
staff and Layton Walker, son of Gen. Wal
ker. .a
At $50 the party, headed by Gen. Walker,
stood In the corner parlor on the second
floor OF the Ryan ana received those citi-
Zens who cared to avail themselves Of the
opportunity to meet the commander Of the
noble thousands still remaining in this land
OF the living. The reception was not
full-dress affair, but an informal one, thor
oughly unconventional, for, like all men of
his prominence, Gen. Walker is a plain and
a practical man, and likes to meet the peo-
pie as they are, for he is essentially a man
of the people Notwithstanding, the recep-
ton was a brilliant affair, and lasted until
late in the night.
The Women's Relief Corps, department Of
Minnesota, received comrades Of the Grand
Army and their wives and members of the
Women's Relief Corps, Sons and Daughters
Of Veterans and the st. Paul citizens COM
mittee at the senate chamber Of the state
capitol from 8 to II p.
From to II p. m. there was a general
illumination Of the city and band con-
certs at ladies' headquarters, the Kittson
residence, the national headquarters, the
Ryan hotel, and Rice and Summit Parks.
There were also serenade concerts to vari-
GUS organizations and officers of the G. A
r. by some Of the glee clubs and bands
ThronEs Arriving.
Never before in the history Of the city Of
St. Paul has its union depot been so
crowded as to-day. Train after train vom-
tied it's load of passengers into the station,
and thousands Of people crowded and jostled
each other In their attempts to gain an en-
trance to the streets.
Each train of coaches that steamed in
deposited its passengers and quickly
steamed out again, and was succeeded by
another fully as large and bearing fully
as many passengers. The scene beggars
description. At the gates strong men in the
depot uniform tasked their strength to keep
the swarm of visitors in line, and dozen
or more Of blue coated officers brandished
their clubs in the faces Of obstinate men
who were fighting their way to the doors.
I'LL,
roof, was enacted scene that will never be
forgotten by the depot officials. The rails
were kept hot by the friction of scores Of
trains. Each track leading from the sta
tion was In constant and 1t seemed a
mystery how an orderly system of running
trains could be maintained. But never an
accident occurred. AS each train was re-
lieved of its passengers an engine would be
hitched behind and leave the tracks clear
for another bearer of visitors
Everywhere could be seen the uniformed
boys Of the St. Paul high school, who acted
as guides and %informers for those in need
Of help. An old veteran would be relieved
OF his heavy valise or crowd of bewildered
strangers guided from the depot and started
towards the G. A. r. headquarters. These
boys, dressed in uniform of white cap,
dark coat and white duck trousers, afforded
clearing the platforms and starting the
current of travel from the building to the
street.
Wonderful Decorations
Sixth street is the wonder and ad-
miration of St. Paul's visitors. 1t
avenue, for there no street in the city
SO typical of the occasion or so handsomely
attired in the colors and the emblems of
this great nation.
Sixty marble white columns of faucl.
fully moulded staff stand at intervals be-
Is surmountcd with a banne" that blows
with the slightest breeze, and all "ou.ain
some figure or design emblematic of the
great war Of the rebellion and the present
reunion of the men who wore the blue
and wear it yet in connection with a thous-
2}e eatb memories Of that great conflict in the
Every building-largc aud small-along
this gay avenue is decorated in some fash
ion, SO between the columns Of white are
gorgeous arrays of flags of every size and
shape, and thousands of yards of bright
bunting and the thousand and one little
things that are appropriate Oh such occa-
sions.
The sun shining On these pillars and their
attendant coloring presents brilliant
picture that cannot fail to impress the be-
holder with admiration and patriotic con-
tent. Along the edges of the high build
ihgs are hundreds Of miniature flags and
the windows and doors and cornices are
alive with banners Of the corps, great
American flags, rich in color, and the faces
OF the nations eminent heroes, bota IN
war and peace. '.-.-=- ..-.--
The faces of the structures seem to move
In the constant swaying Of the great red,
white and blue draperies, and at stated in
tervals along this patriotic avenue appears
stand Of the American colors, which, in
themselves alone, are the richest 1ecora-
lions that could be conceived in this land
Of the free and home of the brave.
Striking Iluminations r
Last night the streets were thronged
with a mass Of moving people admiring
the. decorations and listening to the music
that filled the air, for dozens of bands kept
discerning sweet melodies and patriotic airs
until late hour Yet this was but q pre-
lude to what may be expected tonight and
every night during the remainder Of the
week. or course, Sixth street was the cen
ter Of attraction. The street was kept
entirely free from vehicles save few
bicycles that were trundled along by
hand, for there was no possibility Of riding
. them through such crowd. The whole
street from st. Peter street to Sibley street
was filled with & mass of people, whose
movements were like the rolling of
mighty sea. The brilliant illumination
brought the whole mass .nto full view
the entire distance, and it formed picture
that was truly inspiring Every now and
then the big search light on the Conover
building was flashed over the crowd. with
colored lights. producing charming effect.
There was no excitement or loud noise,
save the strains of music floating through
the air, and he crowd kept up quiet
promenade until about 10 O'clock. 8st
At the Windsor hotel the corridor was
crowded with people listening to the Alton
City band of Alton ILL.,, play variety Of
selections. at the Ryan still larger
crowd was entertained by STEMS Second
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