Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-09-17
LEXINGTON.
Observations Taken in the Bluegrass
Metropolis to the Soldiers
at Fort Hamilton.

Having been called to the bluegrass
Capital" upon mission of business COM
bined with pleasure, determined to see
all that could be seen in the limited
amount of time at my disposal. The day
of my arrival in the city happened to be
Labor Day, and an unusually large crowd
was in town. 1 was told that it was al
most as large as the crowd that welcomed
William ]. Bryan in 1896. The Labor
Day parade while not near as large as
previous ones was exceedingly good, and
much of its success is due to the printers,
who got the parade up. Col. James
Weeks, the handsome standard-bearer of
the local Typographical Union, headed
the parade, and many a young maiden
cast sweet smiles at the young Apollo as
he passed by. The Fourth Kentucky
Volunteers turned out, and added greatly
to the parade.
The corner stone of the new Court
house was laid on Labor Day under the
auspicies of the Masons, with very inn
pressive ceremonies. Fifteen years ago
the writer stood upon the same spot and
witnessed the laying of the cornerstone
ef che former Court shouse; which was De
stroyed by fire little over year ago.
AS l glanced over the surging crowd of
humanity but few old, familiar faces
greeted my eye. Many that witnessed
the ceremony fifteen years ago on that
July day have gone to their eternal
reward.
One of the busiest institutions in the
city is St. Joseph's Hospital, on West
Second street. The hospital is in charge
of the Sisters of Charity. Sister Euphra-
STA is the manager, and has proven herself
a very competent and careful one. Since
she took charge many new and important
improvements have been made. At pres
ent beautiful chapel is nearing compile
ton. Rev. John ]. O'Neill is the chap
lain, and he is loved very much by both
sisters and the patients. He never tires
of ministering to their spiritual wants,
and day and night can always be found
at his post.
Father Mcmahon, chaplain of the
Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, is at the
hospital sick with typhoid fever, as are
also several soldiers.
The most interesting point around Lex
ington at present is Camp Hamilton, five
miles from the city on the Lexington &
ratI,.,ox, TA1 MCNIasnaro
well-known young Lexington news
paper man, acted as my guide. and board
ing the train in eight minutes we we're
at the camp. A more ideal spot could
not be selected in all the Bluegrass region
than the one where Camp Hamilton is
located. 1t is situated upon gradually
sloping hill, and the slightest breeze that
stirs is waited to the travel-stained' and
weary soldiers. The division hospital is
an ideal institution, and over 700 soldiers
are now inmates of it. Fifty Sisters of
Charity arrived Tuesday and took charge.
All the delicacies usually furnished the
sick are prepared and given the soldiers.
Everything is carefully and systematic
ally arranged. There is no confusion;
everything goes on like clock work. The
Twelfth New York, Eighth Massachu-
sets and Twenty-frst Kansas are three
of the finest regiments in camp. The
Second Kentucky arrived last Tuesday
and went into camp. They will get thirty
days furlough and at the end of that
time will be mustered out.
found quite number of people that
had seen and read the Kentucky Irish
American and spoke very highly of it.
There is strong talk of organizing a
branch of the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans in this city. There is an excellent
field for division. there being over five
hundred representative Irish Americans
in this city. A division will probably be
organized about the second Sunday in
October. Quite number of Hibernians
from Covington, Louisville and Frank
fort will be up to assist in the organiza-
ton. ID. ]. M.
on, HEnDnE,G DAUA AID