The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-01
LINE WAS LONG.
But More Old Soldiers Have
Marched In Reunion Parades
In Topeka Than We're Seen In
the Line Today.
NOT SO MANY OF THEM
Slowly the Old Heroes Are
Crossing Over.
Description of the Long Line
and Imposing Procession.

There have been larger parades of a
military and civic nature in this city,
but none more imposing than the pa
rade of the old soldiers this morning
Since the last state reunion was held
in Topeka. hundreds of old soldiers of
this state have answered the last mus
ter and Joined the grand army in the
far beyond. and to those who witnessed
both parades the gaps in the ranks left
by their death were plainly noticeab bic.
There is no denying that the ranks of
the Grand Army of the Republic are
thinning. and that soon all that will
be left OF the once magnificent army
viii be a glorious history There have
been more old soldiers in line in Topeka
than there were today.
AS the old veterans of Kansas marched
up the streets of our city this morning,
cheer after cheer broke from the
masses of people densely thronged on
either side in honor and recognition of
the part they played in our country's
history. And as the cheering blended
with the martial music of the bands
and sWelled into one uproarious sound,
many Whlte-haired veteran forgot that
his feet We're already on the brink of
the grave and. in memory, may have
stood once more amidst the crash and
roar of battle on the battlehelds Of the
south and west
The parade consisted Of five divisions
and extended for a distance of several
miles The following was the order
FIRST DIVISION.
Commanded by Colonel Lloyd Whea-
ton, goth u S. infantry, consisted of
20th U. S infantry under command of
Major McCaskey; battery c, First U. S.
artillery, under command of Captain
Crimes; battalion of Second U. S. cav
airy under command of Captain Kerr.
SECOND DIVISION
trr0 la6 Erfr q 7iea7- al
Geo. H. Barker of the x. n. G., and
consisted of ten companies of the X N.
c. under command of Colonel P. NJ.
HOiSingtOn, battalion of high school
zOuaves under command of General S.
3. Bradford; company of cadets; re-
form school battalion with band, under
command of Major H NJ. Kenderdine.
THIRD DIVISION
Commanded by Major Otto Kuehne,
and consisted of Shawnee mounted bat
talon under command of Captain Peter
He'll; civic societies. commencing with
float Of Topeka lodge No 3, A o. q. W,
IfebOat; Turner and AriOn societies.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Commanded by Colonel Wm- Green
and consisted of young lady cadets IN
der command Of Captain T. s. Slower;
Sons of Veterans; organized posts of
the Grand Army; Union veterans or
ganized by congressional districts as
per general order No. 8, issued by De
partment Commander Whitney, under
date of September 10, 1896.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Commanded by Prof. VIM. M David
son and consisted Of pupils of colleges
and public schools Of Topeka and visit
ing schools
The old army veterans were received
with cheers all along the line of march.
They cheered back too, and although
they were very hot from the Ions walk
in the sun. it is safe to say that every
one enjoyed it immensely
The veterans from Wisconsin made a
novel showing by having carried It
their head a large eagle to represent
..Oid Abe and a badger. Both were
mounted on long staffs-
The Ohio veterans Outnumbered any
of the state representations. Captain
Titus walked proudly at the head of
the Buckeyes AS they reached Eighth
street one of them yelled Three cheers
for McKinAyi' and they We're given
with vim One old veteran had an
immense gold bug 18 inches long
pinned on his coat and by pulling a
string its wings tapped It locked like
a big pin-cushiOn- The old soldiers,
without exception, took off their hats
when passing the city school children
They cheered frequently and cheers
were returned with enthusiasm.
One old soldier had a chicken with
him which he held alOft in memory of
foraging days. Another mad a large
sign made on floor paper on which was
marked with chalk. Companies L and
N, Fifth Kansas.
The Ottawa drum corps made q big
drummer had two drumsticks which he
used with the speed of a prize fighter at
a punching bag.
Veteran TT. ID. Fisher. the Methodist
minister whom everybody knows,
snatched off his hat when ne passed the
school children and waving it wildly
about his head let out two or three In
dian yells which startled the people
But he started an epidemic Of noise and
above all could be heard the yell of the
high school with their w hoop, whoop,
razoOp, high school
The military portion Of the parade
was inspiring. The regulars looked
we'll in their lines the only thing lack
ing being that they did not wear their
parade dre-s uniforms.
Colonel Lloyd Wheaton. Goth u. S.
infantry. looked majestic on his hand
some horse. and he headed the first di-
vision of the parade The second di-
vision was headed by Brigadier Cen
eral George H Barker of the K N G.
Following him were the ten companies /
of militia consisting of over $50 men
Both infantry and cavalry of the u
S troops looked as they always do
The K N G. looked almost as nice
as the regulars-in fact they were bet
ter looking men,
The Topeka fire department made
another fine showing, but this time
they didn't treat the people to a run.
Chief WfImarth and Chief Cadden, Be
lott. were at the head Of the hremen's
division in the chiefs buggy.
The seven department wagons Of the
Topeka department followed, all deco
rated with bunting In hose trucks
and 4 the boy volunteer fire depart
nent rode The march would have
been too long for the boys. SO they