Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-28
GRAND ARMY RETIRES.
Retreat Sounds from the Encamp.
ment at Buffalo and the
Boys Go Home.
FEATURES OF TIE LAST SESSION,

and Several Noted Women Presented to
the Encampnent-Reporto on Pensions
A Correct History of the War OF the Re-
beliion Something the Vets Desire.
Buffalo. n. Y, Aug. 2S-Last night
found the Grand Army in retreat from
Buffalo. The encampment OF 1897 is over
and lis comrades are leaving town as
iast as the cars can carry them. Band
after pand. followed by weary men
trudgirg to the railday stations, passed
down the streets at intervals during last
evening. Home, Sweet Home" was the
usual selection. and the crowds which
nlled the streets shouted goodbye after
the departing comrades. The last func-
ton on the long programme of events
was reception Of officers and chair
men OF the woman's citizen committee
at women's headquarters at o'clock.
Inc commander-in-chief.s headquarters
were closed at o'clock and by $50 the
aoJutant generals Office was dark
Proceeds to Complete the Oncial Roll.
Inc Grand Army yesterday elected
the balance of its officers for the ensu-
Ing year and adjourned to meet at Gin
cinnati next year. Yesterdays session
lasted from 9:15 o'clock in the morning
until $40 O'Clock in the afternoon with.
out intermissior. Opening under that
order of business the encampment took
up the election Of senior vice COM
mancer-ln-chief. Comrade Alfred Lyth.
Of the Bidwell- Wilkeson post, of this city.
was placed in nomination by Major A.
j. X. Smith. the commander Of his post.
ana was elected unanimously, there be-
Ing no other nominations. The election
OF junior vice commander-in-chief
was not accomplished until afternoon.
there being four candidates and several
interruptions to the proceedings of the
encampment by speeches and the ad-
mission OF a committee from the Wom-
en- relief Corps On the first ballot
r. -. Allen. of Connecticut, the can
didafe of the Naval Veterans. led and
on the second there was a rush for the
band-wagon and before the roll call had
been completed, the adjutant general
was instructed to cast the vote of the
encarlpment for him.
Commander Walkers Handsome Present
Dr. David MacKaye. of Dallas Tex,
was elected surgeon general unanimous
ly. and Rev. Frank c. Bruner. of the
FIRST Methodist church Of Chicago. was
l.
CHIEF. Past Commander in Chief Walk
en- OF Indiana. was presented with a
SILVER service by the encampment, the
actress being made by William NJ DIN.
Oh Boston. A committee from the Wom-
ems Relief Corps was admitted to the
nail and presented the convention with
several beautiful floral emblems and
made brief report Of the work of
the w. X. c. for the past year. Mrs.
cooley, national president of the ARMY
Nurses. was also admitted to the con-
Vention. likewise Mother" Ransom of
California, 81 years old, the oldest army
nurse living. and Mrs. William Soatt.
VINO spoke fer the colored veterans who
were unable to attend the encampment
Report of the Pension Committee.
Among the reports receiving favorable
consideration in the executive session
or the encampment was that of the
pension committee. It recommended a
readJustment of widows pensions. and
presented form Of proof and applica-
ton in pension claims substantially tbel
same as that embodied in the Picker
Dill. which has passed the house Of
representatives. but has not passed the
senate. The report stated that the pres
ent commissioner of tensions had con.
sented to adopt new rules substantially
the same as those in force during the
Harrison administration. The report
also recommended that congress pass a
service pension law to apply to all vet
Grams who have reached the age of &,
years