Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-16

ground greatly altered from the Camp
Randall Of old.
One Of the most important factors
In the success of the reunion is the
work of the local Woman's Relief
corps under the direction of Mesdames
Nichols, Reed, George Smith.
Champion, Lamson, Daggett, Sauth-
on, c. B. Welton, Godding and
Hawkins. The rear rooms of the
grand stand have been fitted up into
elegant dining rooms handsomely
draped with flags, bunting and ferns.
Tables are arranged to seat 200 per-
sons, besides which there is a lunch
and refreshment counter. Excellent
meals are served. Over 200 were seat
ed at the dinner tables yesterday,
The local corps also has a reunion tent
in front Of the grandstand for visitors.
1t is comfortably and prettily fitted
out.
According to Capt. j. NJ. Williams
or Belleyllle, many of the boys find it
difficult to recognize the old Camp
Randall in the new. Where the tents
are now located and athletic events
are held, was the former parade
ground. The camp ground was then
larger and one knoll appears to have
been cut down. The entrance was on
the east side. Near by was the bull
pen" On the sloping elevation TO
the northwest was the hospital, the
mess quarters, headquarters, and in
front of all these the barracks. Back
OF the hospital was the bit of brush
through which the boys would steal
when they ran the pickets to go up
town or out foraging.
The pathetic and humorous incidents
OF the renuion, could they be gathered,
would fill volume. Private Wells of
the 23d, now living in northern Wis
consln, is congratulated on every hand
that he is no longer sent to the guard
house for appearing with unblackened
boots as was his usual fortune while
at the front.
At the campfire Past Department
Commander E. B. Gray wore the
beautiful jeweled badge given him at
the Appleton encampment a couple of
weeks ago. Ex-Governor Hoard also
wore similar badge.
OTHER FEATURES.
At a great afternoon meeting in the
armory Tuesday J. V. Quarles gave
notable Grafton on Wisconsin,; half
! a dozen addresses were made by en-
inent educators to another concourse;
| magnificent university parade oc-
| CURED; the varsity freshmen defeated
the Delafield eight on Lake Mendoza;
and 100 editors banqueted at one place
in the evening and 300 old legislators
in another, all reminiscing volubly.
A dozen other lesser reunions were
also held during the carnival Of three
days which was blessed with almost
ideal weather. EX-Gov. Peck had his
pocket picked of $40 and his railway
passes and was irreverently guyed by
his friends as result. The women'S
club meetings were an important fea-
ture Of the celebration. All parts of
the state were represented and a score
of actresses were made. The Wis
| consin bar, too, had its event and the
supreme court room rung with elo-
| quence. Regimental reunions to the
| number of a score or more were held
and day and night fireworks, the
| most elaborate ever seen in Wiscon-
sin, were spectacular features calcu-
lated to relieve the monotony of ora
tory The capitol park and the whole
city were befagged and beribboned, il
lumined and beautified as never be-
fore. Altogether the semi-centenniaI
| was a monumental success.