Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-23
THE LOYAL LEGION REUNION
VISIT To THE FORT AND BANQUET
AT THE MIDLAND.
Gathering of Distinguished Men From
Missouri, with n SprinkIing
of Knnsans and Mill
tary Men.

The annual banquet of the Missouri
chapter of the Loyal Legion was given
last evening at the Midland hotel. One
hundred and fifteen covers were laid and
about the tables were gathered distin-
guished men who in times past did valiant
service for their countrys honor. The Oc
casion was at the regular monthly meet
ing the chapter. According TO the custom
and in Difference TO the fifty members who
live in Kansas City, once each year the
officers of the chapter and the members
who live in other portions Of the state
gather here. At such times it is made
ladies' night, and the members with their
ladies join in the pleasures. The occa-
siOns are always pleasant, for 1t brings
together not alone the members of the Mis-
souri, chapter from all over the state, but
members. from the Kansas chapter snd
guests of honor from the various military
posts of the West attend.
1t is the custom when the meeting is to
be held in Kansas City for the members OF
the Kansas chapter to ask the Missouri
members to join them in an excursion TO
Fort LeaVenwOrth to spend the day. The
members seem to think there is more pleas
ure when the two chapters meet with mil
ltary surroundings. Yesterday when the
St. Louis delegation reached the city they
We're Joined by the members from this
city, who accompanied them to Fort Leav-
enWorth, where they We're received by the
Kansas members and escorted to the fort.
ing the day gave exhibition drills with the
Infantry, cavalry and artillery with such
maneuvers as would serve 10 make the dis
play effective and enjoyable. Following
the drills the visitors were entertained al
the post club house, where the customary
hospitality of the army posts was extended
and the afternoon was delightfully."- passed.
AT O'Clock the visitors bade adieu TO the
post and returned TO Kansas City. They
gathered at the Midland and there met
other representatives from in and near the
in he
Prior to the banquet last evening there
was the usual meeting of the chapter for
the transaction OF business; There was
Only the routine business disposed Of ex-
cept the resolution adopted commanding
President Mckinley for his Cuban message
and the relief he asked for, and was using,
and the active efforts he was making for
the independence of Cuba. The resolution
was introduced by General Hiram F. Devol
OF Kansas City, and was adopted with en-
thusiasm.
1t was shortly after o'clock when the
guests assembled about the tables in the
dining room and for nearly two hours en-
1Oyed the good things prepared for them.
Cut flowers in profusiOn were on the table
and the big mantel was covered with pot
ted plants.
When the banquet was disposed Of and
cigars had been passed around, the BAN
queters pushed their chairs back and Colo
mel W. r. Hodges, commander of the chap
ter, arose and in a brief statement referred
TO the pleasure of the occasion and said the
best things of the evening were now to
seymour
Thompson. of St. Louis, who talked for
half an hour of an experience he had when
boy soldier, acting as a bearer of impor-
tant war dispatches from General Sturges,
in Kansas, to General Franz SigeI who
was at Sedalia. He had the usual expert
ences of scout in those days and told the
many anecdotes of his trip in a laughable
manner. The trip was one full of daring
and danger and in the successful task he
was complimented by General Sigel and
General W. H. Powell, who was for many
years a resident of Kansas City, now liv-
ing, at Carrollton, ILL.,. related an incident
of his army life, which Colonel Hodges an
nOunCed as one of the most interesting
events of the whole war.
In was in West Virginia, just before the
invasion of the valley. General Powell was
then a major and was connected with
portion of the army that was getting down
INTO West Virginia to tind out what was
going on. They were upon the mountain-
side and the commander was inclined TO
'ahead and Vas givss squad Of twenty
men to go with him. They made the trip
over the mountain and surprised and cap
tured camp of over 800 rebels.
A half dozen others were expected to
the opportunity
The music of the evening was furnished
6y the singing school OF the chapter from
ST. Louis. Miss Georgia Harris assisted
at the piano: The banquet closed with all
singing Aud Lang Syne."
The Missouri chapter has for its COM
mander, Colonel W. r. Hodges, of St.
Louis, while Colonel ]. o. Churchill of the
same city is the recorder. In the party
from St. Louis were: Major H. l.. Merrill,
of the Frisco road: Colonel Nelson Cole,
Captain Lloyd G.. Harris. Judge Seymour
D. Thompson, Judge Horatio d. Wood of
the circuit court; Judge J. H. Terry, Colo
mel II. Gardner, Captain Frank Raymond.
General II. Powell, who was on Sheridan's
st;Ar during the famous trip through the
valley; DIR. A. J. Steele, DR.. T. S. Hawley.
Major +. kimbali and Colonel Robert
buchanan. other members from out
side the city were: Captain A.
p. Morey. and DIR. I. T. Bronson. of Sc
Louis Benecke. of Brunswick.