Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-12
TEN THOUSAND STRANGERS ARE IN
LEAyENwoRTH ALREADY.
KANSAS GRAND ARMY REUNION.
CAMP ALGER WAS FORMALLY OP-
ENED YESTERDAY.
Soldiers Home Inmates Had n Promi-
nent Part in Yesterdays Exer-
cises-PrOgramme for To-
day-ReuniOn Notes
and Gossip.

Leavenworth- Kas, Oct. n.--(Specialy
The clerk of the weather took pity upou
Leavenworth to-day and relented About
10 o'clock the clouds began to show their
silver lining and by IL a. m. the sun was
shining brightly, with nothing to tell of
the storm save the moistened streets and
the absence of the dust The morning
trains began bringing in special cars, which
was kept up all day and this evening
special excursion trains began TO arrive.
The passengers dispersed, many going di-
rect to Camp Alger, where they were as
signed to quarters. Tonight the veterans
and their friends have possession of the
city. which is decked out and illuminated
in the gayest colors. In their honor II is
estimated that fully 10000 strangers arrived
during the day. Among the earliest ar
rivals in the camp was General Theo
Botkin. department commander of the
Kansas G. A. r., who at once assumed
command of the camp and grounds. Lieu
tenant A. Van p. Anderson. of the Sixth
United States cavalry, who had laid out
the grounds, was appointed acting quar-
teImaster general with the rank of colonel.
He began his duties Immediately and was
soon busy assigning applicants to their
tents and attending to the thousand and
one ne details tan; connected with his position.
The day was given over to the members
OF the Soldiers home, and, under the di-
rection of Colonel j. G. Rowland governor
the exercises were conducted. These con-
sisted of an address of welcome by Sena-
tor Baker. followed by others from local
characters. The Soldiers Home band.
twenty-seven pieces strong. was present
and lent some soul-stirring music. During
the forenoon they made the circuit of the
camp, serenading each headquarters tent
and each assemblage of old soldiers. The
members of the home were on the ground
in force. many of whom found old COM
rades among the visitors.
Tonight camDffreS held In the tw0
large tents, at which number of Grand
Army men delivered addresses. As yet but
few politicians have arrived. The staff of
evening, and by tomorrow morning all
are expected to be present.
Tuesday will be Kansas day, the official
opening of the reunion taking place. The
10 a. m. sharp-Address of welcome at the
Hanback, pavilion by Senator Baker and
Hon.. Case Brodertck; responses by Theo
Botkin. department commander of Kan
sas with welcoming address to the COM
manders and comrades from sister states.
Responses by General John P. Platte. de-
partment commander of Missouri. and Cen
eral Eyerhard, department commander of
Nebraska.
10 a. m. sharp-Address of welcome at
the McGregor pavilion by Senator Harris
and Hon. Charles Curtis; responses by
Senior Vice Commander 8. L. Wilson with
and Nebraska and response by Major Will
lam Warner of Kansas City. Mo-, and Ma
jor F. E. Thomas, of Omaha.
p. m.m..General campfires: at the Han
tawatomie, presiding; at the McGregor pa
vilion. Colonel L. c.. Weldy. presiding.
7:30 p. m.-Missouri and Nebraska camp
fires; at the the Hanback, Ean gavilion, Department
charge: at McGregor pavilion, Department
Commander Everhard in charge.