News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1897-06-30
GRAND ARMY ENcAMPMENT.

the Vermont G. A. r. at Bennington
Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
The gathering was inaugurated
Monday evening with reception
rendered by the local Woman's Relief
corps in the Congregational chapel
where the meetings of the corps we're
held. Nearly all the visiting delegates
were present. Light refreshments
we're served. The guests were received
by Mrs. Pnffer, Mrs. Gibson, and Mrs.
Biaekmer on the part of the local
corps.
Tuesday morning the Encampment
was formally opened at Library hall.
General John C. Linehan of New
Hampshire, a prominent candidate
for the office of cOmmander-in-ch chief,
and Thomas B. Cogswell of New
Hampshire, New England pension
agent, we're present. Reports were
read and committees were appointed.
Department Commander Puffer's
address, reviewing the condition of
the order, stated that in 1882 the
Department numbered about 800,
from that time to 1890 there contin-
ued a steady increase until we had
reached a membership of 5,473. Now
it has been reduced in the battle of
life to Alb. He strongly urged the
abolition of the suspension list.
Hundreds of comrades in our De-
partment would be upon the list to-
day had they been less unfortunate.
The men who wore the Blue are too
proud to come before any organiza-
ton and admit their inability to pay
their dues on account of poverty.
Let us live closer to our obligation
by remembering that these Boys are
entitled to every consideration. Let
those who are more fortunate come
to the rescue, or if Posts are possess
ed of a relief fund, use that, if neither
are available, tear out the leaf and
begin a new page" He also had
warm words for the Soldiers Home,
the Relief corps and the Sons of Vet,
| Grams.
No new posts have been established
during the year. The charter of post
20, Bakersfield, surrendered in 1895,
was restored early in this administra-
ton, and the post is now in -four
ishing condition.
D. NJ. BIackmer, assistant adjutant
general reported 112 posts and a
net loss in membership during the
year of 26S. There were 121 deaths,
Is were discharged and 267 suspend
ed. The total number in suspension
was 483, and 1873 were dropped during
the year, having been previously sus-
pended. The amount expended in
charity was $66S 43.
c. d. Gibson, assistant quarter
master general reported balance of
about $4,000 in cash and supplies.
against $131.75 received by him
from his predecessor.
The following officers were elected
in the afternoon:
Commander Erastus w. Jewett, of Swan
| ton.
Senior-v Vice c commander c. T. S. Pierce, OF
| Vergennes.
Junior-vice- c commander NJ. ]. Sargent OF
| RoyaltOn.
Medical Director, DR.. J. D. Hanrahan, OF
| Rutland.
Chaplain Rev. d. d. Owens, of Ludlow.
| Is.
Lyndonvie; W. II. Gilmore, of Fairlee; Il.
]. Coffey, of Bennington; NJ ]. Leach, OF
Wolcott o. D. Beckwth, of Bellows Falls
The newly elected commander an
nounced the following appointments
Assistant Acknowledgement, Rev. T..
j. Ranslow; Assistant Quartermas-
ter General, E. d. Barnes, both OF
Swanton; Judge Advocate General,
Joel c. Baker of Rutland. The dele
gate-at-arge to the national encamp-
ment at Buffalo is Hon. Frank Ken
field OF Morrisville.
There was no election contest ex-
cept for the office of junior vice com
mander, for which. there were two
candidates. A. A. Niles of MOrrisville
without any work received the fiat.
teriDg vote of AZ out of the 1913 cast
Col. Jewett belongs to a family well
known for its patriotic zeal tor the
country. One brother, A. b. Jewett,
was colonel of the 10th Vermontregi-
ment; another, James A. Jewett
served his country we'll and in bis
honor the G. A. r. post at Swanton
is named.
Before the war Mr.. Jewett was oc.
cupied in land surveying and in vari-
GUS enterprises, but when the 9th
regiment was formed he enlisted, and
was commissioned second lieutenant
of company A on June IA, 1862
3 The next year he was made SECOND
lieutenant of the same company. Ii
1868 he served as engineer officer or
the staff of Gen. Wister. At his owI
request he was relieved and went will
his own company to North Carolina
A medal of honor was given Lieut.
+, Jewett in 1891 for gallant conduct il
, defending bridge at Newport Bar
,, racks, N. c., on Feb. 2, 1864
Since the war Mr.. Jewett has beer
leading business life, and is at pres
ent, in company with hisson, engaged
> in the manufacture of buckles anC
: wire goods at Swanton. In 1S9:
/, Gov. Fuller appointed Mr.. Jewett {
colonel on his staff.
\ In the evening the veterans attend
ed the entertainment given at tn
: opera house by Capt. Jack Crawford
|. A short session of the encampmen
q was held Wednesday morning at S:3'
/ O'Clock to complete the business. A
1890 the department and visiting
organizations assembled on the So
4 III a 4