The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-02

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a physical examination before being
discharged, and DIR. j. M. Ward will
the examination at once.
Paymaster W. G. Jones will be busy
for the next two or three days prepar-
ing the accounts of the men and pay
ing off.
NOTES OF THE GLORIOUS CELE-
BRATION.
The reserves armory was gaily and
profusely decorated with flags and
bunting. Several streamers, being the
word welcome" were suspended On
high.
All the vessels in the harbor yester-
day assumed a gala appearance in
honor Of the suspicious event.
Mr.. Tom Nixon, of the Nixon & Co.'S
cafe, got up the repast for the boys
yesterday, and did it in his usual ex-
celIent way, and had it served accord
ingly.
The large banner of welcome extend
ed across the street in front OF the
Merchants Association quarters made
a fine appearance. This was an idea,
and a good one, of Mr.. P. Heinsberger,
the affable secretary of h association.
The Hotel Bonitz was decorated with
a large flag, the words Welcome
Home" appearing on it, and also the
portica was decorated with flags and a
centre pieces, the words Nantucket in
war 1864 at Fort Fisher and Whining
ton in peace, 1885," in large letters.
The decorating was done by Mr.. w.
A. Bonitz, clerk of the house, and Mr..
Lou E. Katzenberger, an e~x-confed-
crate and member of the Fifth Mary
land regiment, Veteran Corps.
Mrs. E. Warren & Son ave the boys
a warm reception when they passed
the confectionery establishment, but
later changed it to a cold one with a
hospitable present of several gallons
of ice cream.
"Old Glory f1oated proudly over The
Messenger office yesterday.
INTERVIEW WITH COL. KERCH-
NER.
In an interview with Colonel Kerch-
ner, chief marshal, he enthusiastically
spoke of the turn out of the different
associations, but especially Of our Sec
ond Regiment band. These are his
words: Few know what it costs to
keep up a military band-no income,
no profitable engagements; yet music
Of late date a to be procured, prac-
tees innumerable have to be held, sac
rifices of time made by each member
which are so little appreciated by
our people. Generally our people have
nc idea what it costs to keep up a good
band"
Colonel Kerchner in his young days
was a member of a band and knows
something of the labor necessary tC
make a band efficient, and adds in con.
clusion:
rs there not some public spirited
man in our city who will tighten the
burden Of the active members of the
band that we are so proud Off"
A HAPPY FINALE.
Yesterday the crew of the steamer
Wilmington gave their second excurs-
ion to Carolina Beach, and at Sic
o'clock q, m. rendered a compliment
tary trip to the crew Of the United
States monitor Nantucket and the Ma
val Reserves. A big crowd of the
monitor boys and the home contingent
of the Naval Reserves, besides a large
number of home people, oOk in the
excursion, and the occasion proved
exceedingly enjoyable and turned out
to be a great success.
At the beach, Messrs. M. Rathjen, T.
Richter and E. 2. II. Strunck, the
house committee of Hanover Seaside
Club, kindly rendered the club house
to the management of the excursion.
Their kind offer vas accepted, and the
dance, which was on the programme,
took place in the elegant ball room of
the club. The floor was crowded
with dancers, and besides the terpsi-
corean enjoyment, the e~xcursionists
rolled nine pins, ten pins and played
billiards, pool, etc., which made the
time fly all too fast. The festivities
were kept up until the last train left
at 1880 o'clock.
Before the train left the club house
the Nantucket boys assembled, and
gave three neary cheers for the cour-
tesy extended by the clubs house
committee, and to the managers of the
excursion for their kindness Inc hos
pitality in rendering them the trip to
the beach.
The steamer Wilmington reached the
city OF her last rip at 1:15 o'clock this
morning, and bright back a big crowd
of jolly tars and happy young folks.
The managers Of the excursion of
the crew of h steamer Wilmington
were Messrs. Phillip Plat, chief engi-
neer; Peter Jorgensen, mate; B. F.
Swami and r. c. Banks, pursers, and
S. A. Greelish and r. G. Plat mana
gers. Chief Boatswain's Mate John
W. Gotten, Of the Nantucket's crew,
assisted in the management of the
dance, and it can be said with a GER
tainty hat everybody knew he was
on the beach. They gave everybody a
good time, n are to be congratulated
upon the success Of the affair.