The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-09-08

st. Paul, Sept. 2-The first great feature
or the G. A. r. encampment was the re-
ceptlon rendered last night to Gen l. N
Walker and party at the Ryan hotel. COM
mencing 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. r., 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 Gen. 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.
At $50 the party, headed by Gen. Walker,
stood in the corner parlor on the second
floor Of the Ryan and 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 a
full-dress affair, but an informal one, thor
oughly unconventional, for, like all men of
his prominence, Gen. Walker is plain and
q 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 brilliant affair, and lasted until
late in the night.
The Womens Relief Corps, department of
Army and their wives and members of the
Womens Relief Corps, Sons and Daughters
of Veterans and the st. Paul citizens COM
mittee at the senate chamber of the state
capitol from to II p. m.
From to II p. 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 Varl-
GUS organizations and officers Of the G. A
r. by some of the glee clubs and bands.
Never before in the history of the city OF
St. Paul has it's 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.
Sixth street is the wonder and adj
miration of ST. Pauls visitors. It
might properly be termed Grand Armv
avenue for there is 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 fauci.
fully moulded staff stand at intervals be-
tween Smith Park and the cathedral Each
is surmounted with a banner that blows
with the slightest breeze, and all Contain
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 thous-
and memories Of that great conflict in the
South.
Every bullding-large and 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 little
things that are appropriate on such coca
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
ings 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, both IN
war and peace.
st. Paul, Sept. 3.-As a foretaste of what
is coming tomorrow, st. Paul this morning
had parade of naval veterans and eX-pris-
oners of war, escorted by the Third regi-
ment u. S. A. The parade started up town
on Summit avenue, but the old salts in line
and the escaped survivors of Southern
prison bells were not as active as in years
gone by. and their slow column did not
reach the Ryan until after IL o'clock. Gen.
Walker and his staff Immediately took their
places on the porch used as a reviewing
stand.
Last nights bicycle parade was a brilliant
spectacle, and it was witnessed by enor-
nous crowds.
The line OF march was from Dayton
avenue to Western avenue, thence to Sum-
NIT avenue, to Oakland, to Pleasant, to
Sixth, to Smith Park. Several clubs were
formed to occupy the first places in the
parade, representing i'll many cases various
'tmakes" Of wheels, but the rest rode sim
ply as individuals, each presenting the paH
that suited him best The lady riders
secured their share of attention and admira-
ton from the spectators.
One feature Of to-day's programme which
was of paramount Importance to the men,
bers of the department of Minnesota was
the reunion of state troops, for which
elaborate preparations had been made.
Nearly all of the regimental organizations
held reunions in the morning and general
reunion of the Minnesota troops took l@ce.
The members of all Minnesota regiments,
batteries and other military organizations
assembled at the east entrance of the state
capitol, where they formed into two ranks
and marched to Eighth street where they
embarked in street cars for Fort Smelling.
Upon arriving at the fort the assembly was
called to order by Gen. Muehlberg, chair
man of the arrangements committee, and
temporary chairman and secretary were
chosen. A permanent organization of
the Minnesota veterans was then effected.
Hon. Alexander NJ. Ramsey, the war gov
ernor of Minnesota, was present on this
occasion and so was ex-Adjt. Gen. Oscar
Malmrose. Invitations had been extended
TO Archbishop Ireland and other prominent
Minnesotans who participated actively in
the war The veterans were rendered
reception at the fort by Col Page, the COM
manding officer, and entertained with an
exhibition time drill and dress parade.
Music was furnished by the Third United
States infantry band.
The reception last evening, which was tho