The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-09-16
VETERANS REUNION.
SATURDAY A RED LETTER DAY IN
HENDERSON.

HENDERSON.
The Old Soldiers Have q Great Time
They Listen to Good Speeches and
Enjoy Splendid Dlnner-Pleasant
Reunion of Brave Comrades From
Four Counties-A Delightful Social
Gathering for the Ladies and Young
nen.
Saturday was a great day in Hen
derson. 1t was glorious day because
one of the most pleasant and men,
orable in its history.
1t was the day Of the old soldiers
reunion and picnic and beside the sew
eral hundred ex-Confederate veterans
present there was a large number Of
the younger generation of men together
with many ladies and children-a crowd
estimated at 5,O0O-to do honor to the
occasion.
People came from all over Vance
county, and from Granville, Franklin
and Warren. And better people
brayer and truer men and fairer and
nobler women-never met to celebrate
any event anywhere.
AS heretofore announced the occa-
sion was reunion of the old soldiers
of Vance county, a movement put on
foot by Henry L. Wyatt Camp of Con-
federate Veterans. This having been
decided upon citizens of Henderson
proposed to cooperate with them and
ask the people of the county to unite in
grand basket picnic and barbecue, to
which the ex-Confederate veterans Of
Granville, Franklin and Warren should
be invited also. This was done and
how we'll the plans and purposes were
carried out, how generally the invita-
tons were accepted and how thoroughly
the day was enjoyed by all those pres
ent can testify.
Early in the morning the crowds
began to come in from every direction.
Long before the hour to move to the
picnic ground the streets were thronged
with people. There was the old vet
eran enfeebled by the weight of in
creasing years, many of them manned
in body, with shattered arm or missing
limb; the sad faced elderly lady with
furrowed cheeks and tear-dimmed eye
who had passed through the trying Or
deals of 81 to '65, giving up husband
and sons a willing sacrifice in their
country's cause; the comely matron in
the purity and strength of her glorious
womanhood; the strong young man
and the maiden fair. They were all
here to participate in the festivities of
the occasion and make it what it was
"a pleasing and gratifying success in
every particular.
The procession formed at the South
ern Railroad depot about II O'Clock
and marched to SWANS grove on the
Southeastern edge of town, passing
along Main and William streets and
Andrews avenue. The place selected
for the picnic was an ideal one. Here
seats had been provided, stand
erected for the speakers and long rows
Of tables built upon which to spread
the bountiful dinner that had been pre-
pared to feed the large crowd antici-
pated. The procession moved in the
following order:
Mounted Police.
Vance Guards, of Henderson, Capt.
p. T. Jones.
Granville Grays, of Oxford, Capt.
Hugh Skinner.
Then followed carriages with Mayor
Switzerland and Rev. J. d. Hutham,
d. d., and Rev. James Battle Avirett
and Mr.. o. W. Blacknall, of kittrell,
and others.
Henry L. Wyatt Camp Of Confeder-
ate Veterans followed next under their
commander Gen. W. II. Cheek and
Capt. w. B. Shaw, Adjutant. Riding
by Gen. Cheeks side was his army
bugler Daniel Duke, brave soldier
and a good citizen.
Fife and drum corps headed by n.
Lehman, a veteran of the Franco-Ger-
man war.
Then came the unorganized Confed-
crate veterans of the four counties,
while numbers of others did not join in
the parade on account Of the warm
weather. It was an impressive sight
and one that will not soon be forgot
ten.
Arrived at the grove the crowd was
soon seated and the exercises COM
menced. Gen. Cheek was master OF
ceremonies. Rev. J. B. Avirett in an
eloquent and earnest prayer invoked
the Divine blessing upon all that should
be said and done, upon the old soldiers
and others present.
The choir composed of a number OF
the best voices in town, then sang
1.-The Old North State" after which
Gen. Cheek delivered the opening ad-
dress. 1t was one of his best efforts,
and those who heard him agreed that
in this, he had made valuable ad-
dition to the history of the war. Gen.
Cheek took up the real causes which
led to the war and discussed the issues
before the people prior to the begin
ming of hostilities in an able and sue
cinct manner. The address speaks for
itself and as it is printed in full else
where further comment if our own
would be superhuous.
At the conclusion of Gen. Cheek {
speech the choir sang The Bonnie
Blue Flag" after which Capt. w. B.
Shaw was introduced as the next
speaker. Those who have heard the
Captain whether before a jury, on the
hustings or elsewhere know his powers
as a pleasing and able speaker. And
not only did he sustain his we'll earned
reputation on this occasion but he
added fresh laurels thereto. Capt
Shaw chose as his theme 1.-The Lessons
to be Learned from the War by Re
viewing and Studying the Bravery o.
our Soldiers and the Heroism OF oul
Women.' A splendid theme, regnan'
with great thoughts and living truths
theme worthy of the best efforts o.
the genius of man to fttingly portray
In song or story.
How we'll the speaker measured uI
to his subject we will let our readers
Judge for themselves as Capt. Shaw's
address will be published in full mex
week.
At the conclusion of Capt. Shaw's
speech dinner was announced. Gen
Cheek stated the order that would bt