The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-03-11
TIE GRAND ARMY.
What is Being Done by the Veterans
for the Good of the Order
BUFFALO ENCAMPMENT.

BUFFALO ENCAMPMENT.
General Secretary ID. III. Turner Writes oil
Preparations Being Made for the Great
Meeting.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: No Encamp-
ment, with the exception of the one held IN
Washington in 1892, has attracted the attention
of the meeting to be held here in August, and
already there have been applications from over
$4,000 people for accommodations. 1t was esti.
mated at first that for every man, woman, ana
child in Buffalo there would be visitor, but
the figures have grown and the conserva-
tive q. AR. men now expect SOC, 600 people here
on the day of the great parade. Already special
trains are being chartered by delegations from
cities and towns all around Buffalo, and 1t is
safe to say that the larger part OF the population
of Western New York and that part of the
Dominion near by will be in Buffalo that day:
The City OF Buffalo, through large ana well
appointed committees, is arranging to make
this event the largest and most successful En-
campment ever held by the organization. Inc
best authorities in the Order, and National and
State officials, who have travelled through the
various Departments, predict that in numbers
and splendor the Encampment this year Will
equal that at Washington in 1892.
ASSIGNING ACCOMMODATIONS.
Within five days after tho place of meeting
had been named by the St. Paul Encampment
in 1896. the Buffalo Citizens Committee had
opened magnificent Headquarters in Ellicott
Square aud Immediately commenced to pre-
pare for the great event. As early as Sept.
10, 1896, hotel quarters had been engaged
and by the LIST of October free accommodations
were being assigned to Posts by the Committee
on Accommodations. On Jan. j, 1897, fully
1900 veterans had been assigned to free quar-
tiers and nearly 5000 veterans had engaged
quarters in hotels, besides thousands who had
secured private accommodations through their
friends in Buffalo. Since January quarters
have been secured for several thousand more.
These facts are the best indicators of a large at
tendance at this Encampment
NO oyERCHARGING.
The hotels of the city are bound by strong
contract not to exceed their regular rates. nor
oyercrowd their rooms. and the Citizens Com
mittee is determined that the greatest possible
satisfaction will be given every visitor, so far
as they make known their intention of coming.
BEAUTIFUL BADGES.
The delegates and souvenir badges have been
designed, and the souvenir book, which will be
the most Unique production ever shown at any
Encampment and will be work of art that will
grace any library, has been designed and is IN
the publishers hands.
President William Mckinley will be present,
rs well as q large number of Governors from
the Eastern, Middle, and Central States. and it
is anticipated that receptions on magnificent
scale will be given.
A number of Camp6res will be held in the
largest halls, at which distinguished guests
will speak with the usual incidental entertain
ment added Halls will be furnished for Re-
unions of all regimental associations, and large
tents or halls will be provided for corps, bril-
gsde or division Reunions.
CAMP ON THE FRONT.
A special feature of the Encampment. in
which Mayor Edgar b. Jewett and Capt. j. b..
Guthrie, U. S. A., are the leading spirits, will
be the establishment of camp on the Front
fBuffalo's most beautiful park. situated at the
foot of Lake Erie and at the source of Niagara
River, on a rise of ground so feet above the
water The camp will be arranged to accom-.
modate 10000 veterans and will contain all the
features of Regular Army camp-even to a
suffers tent. 1t will be properly guarded day
and night, and there will be a FIRE patrol, con-
Quoted by Buffalos Exempt Firemen's Associa-
tion, who will wear the old-style fire uniform
All of the objections against former camps will
be removed. It is not located on soft, muddy
ground but it is on a heavy-sodded plot, thor
oughly tile-drained. The tents will be large
"A tents in which will be built matched
board platform.
All military manuvering incidental to q
camp will be done by the 18Th U. S. 1uf, 10.
Gated at Fort Porter, which Immediately ad-
joins the camP-ground. The camp will be
beautifully laid ont and appropriately deco
rated, and is within 10 minutes ride, by steam
or electric cars from the center of the city.
The musical reputation of the city will be
maintained by various vocal and instrumental
free concerts at different points in the city and
at the public parks. The line of march will b.
over level asphalted streets, perfectly clean and
mostly shaded by trees.
1t is expected that the Examinations will be
on grander scale than usual-to demonstrate
Buifalo's leading position electric city.
The decorations will be a scale equal to those
of any other city where the Eucampment has
been held.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS.
The local attractions of Buffalo and vicinity
cannot be exceiled by any city in the country
Numerous excursion trips can be taken on the
lake and river for the small sum of % cent
round trip. and the round trip to Niagara Falls
by steam or electric cars, can be taken for 81
cents. More extended trips to Chautauqui
Lake, or the Thousand Islands, and down the
Niagara River George which is the most beau
tiful ride in the world. can be taken at low ex.
cursion rates. Within the city and on its PSI
miles Of asphalted streets can be found some o
the most beautiful residence sections. Its i,
miles of park roads and connecting boslevard.
makes driving great attraction. while its large
cattle and horse markets, manufacturing inter
ests, lake transportation (having the thrt
largest tonnage in the world will also prove o
great interest to visitors.
oSE-cENT FARE
The railroad rate is one cent per mile from
al sections of the country, west of Buffalo. will
30-day time limit on tickets. East of BuiIal,
the rate is one fare, which on the 1.-TWO cent
roads is equivalent to one cent mile. TIL,
time limit east of Buffalo is 10 days, and effort
arc being made for longer extension.
THE PROGRAM
The following is the program:
Sunday, Aug. 22-Appropriate services Il
churches.
Monday, Aug. 23-Arrival of Commander
in-Chief, o'clock a. m. Parade of civic socie
ties in afternoon. Reception to Commander
in.Chief in evening.
Tuesday, Aug. 24-Parsde Of Naval Vet
Grams. Ex-prisoners of War. and Sons of We
Grams. comprising about 5000 men in lin.
Parade will move at $50 o'clock q. "a. Arrivs
aud escort Of President Mckinley in the afte,
noon. and the Governor of New York State an
other States.
Wednesday, Aug. 25-The grand parade
the Grand Army of the Republic, starting q
ga. m. 1t is estimated that 20 0U0 men will
il line.
Thursday. Aug. 26-Parade of The Soldie,
OF the Present" the Fourth Brigade, Nations
Guard of the State of New York.
Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursda
and Friday evenings there will be speci,
events OF great attraction, consisting of VOC