The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18

the special tram TO meet the battery StOOu
about the platforms in all the glory of the
red neckties that had been procured and ex-
ploded firecrackers with as much energy as
a small boy on the Fourth of July. About
twenty minutes were thus spent in the COM
pany of relatives and friends and then the
march to Tomlinson Hall was commenced.
PLAYED "HOME, SWEET HOME"
Music That Touched the Hearts of the
Men-On the Street and at the Hall.
1t was nearly o'clock when finally the
band struck up Home, Sweet Home" and
the march of the battery through the streets
was begun. Superintendent of Police Quig
ley. with Sergeant Boylan with him in his
buggy, followed the bicycle patrolmen, who
did the heavy work of clearing the streets.
Sergeant Laporte. in charge of a squad of
patrolmen, laboriously cleared the way a
second time. and, fourishing their clubs,
the police urged the people back to make
room for the soldiers. Then, as the guard
of honor, consisting of the same policemen
who escorted the Battery when 1t left the
city five months ago, passed, and the COM
mander of the marching men came into
sight, a cheer arose that drowned the mu-
sic of the band.
Captain Curtis. carrying an immense bou-
quet of red and white roses, marched at the
head of the men. tanned and hardened with
his campaign under a tropical sun. His
men followed under the command of the
lieutenants. They did not hesitate to look
about and exchange salutes with their
friends as they passed by Meridian street
was decorated with flags and many of the
firms along Washington street had hung out
banners and stretched red, white and blue
bunting in their honor. The windows were
crowded with people and giant frecrackers
and torpedoes were used freely. AS the men
advanced the "hurrahs passed along the
line and deafening cheers greeted the
marchers. Bells were rung, gongs on the
street cars blockaded by the throngs were
sounded and every conceivable noise-pro-
ducing contrivance was on hand. At times
there would be lull when little noise save
the tramp of the paraders could be heard
Then the band would start Should Old Ac-
quaintance Be Forgot" and the noise would
begin anew. North on Meridian street to
Washington they marched, turning west on
Washington to Illinois, interrupting traffic
and exciting the greatest enthusiasm. The
Columbia Club followed part of the dis
tance, with Captain English at the front
this time. and those who had led on the
march to the depot bringing up the rear.
North on Illinois street the procession pro-
ceeded to Market. thence east to Pennsyl-
vania and south again to Washington
street West on Washington street they
proceeded to Meridian, the band playing
vigorously and the noise and cheering al
most as great as at the start. At Meridian
street the battery turned north to march
around three segments of the Circle to East
Market street. Then the marchers pro-
ceeded directly to Tomlinson Hail. Monu-
ment place. always a favorite with great
crowds, was packed to it's capacity by the
friends of the old Battery A boys The
steps proved good vantage place, and the
slight incline leading to them afforded
possibility for all seeing.
SOME PRETTY DECORATIONS.
At the hall the ladies' auxiliary of the
Twenty-seventh battery had made the most
elaborate preparations for one of the great
est crowds that ever entered the hall. With
commendable foresight no one was allowed
to enter the building without a ticket. until
after the battery boys had entered and
their friends and relatives had been given a
chance to follow. Then the doors Wera
thrown opens chairs were abandoned on the
lower floor and all crowded forward to he
as near as possible to the stage where the
making was to take place. The stage pre-
sented a pretty picture from the balcony.
The tables which had been arranged and
F-ere attended bv hotel walters r-aro ea+ ~
the form Of the figures "two" and "seven."
The fresh white cloths which covered them
were ueCoiateu Will AloWers anu Ieu wn4.e
and blue ribbon. Each place was pro-
vided with a napkin, quite a luxury to the
soldiers, and on each napkin lay red rose.
Square bits of pasteboard, prettily decorated
with Cuban and American flag rested
against each glass and on the back Of these
cards was welcome to the boys and an
appropriate verse from the Battle Hymn of
the Republic, as follows:
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was
born across the sea,
With glory in his bosom that transfie1lres
you and me;
AS he died 10 make men holy, let US die to
make men free,
While God is marching on
Above the stage in the arch two large
flags were draped, one on either side and
in the center hanging in manner that it
could be easily read by the boys as they
marched in was banner inscribed ''Wel-
come Home" At the front of the platform,
palms were banked in profusion and gleam-
ing through the green leaves at the east side
white roses and blue flower On the west
side of the stage was a large banner and
in the center there was a floral cannon. IT
was a most beautiful floral design. The
wheels were made of red and white roses
and tuberoses, the spokes being of the last
named flower and intertwined with smilax.
The body of the piece was represented with
Lavender colored gladiolas, and suspended
by red, white and blue satin ribbon was
card bearing this inscription: Welcome
Home to Our Soldier Boys" In large glass
candelabra long red tapers were standing,
and just before the entrance of the boys
these We're lighted, casting a soft glimmer-
ing light over the tables. Around the ball
cony were draped large flags in festoons and
half-tone pictures of the heroes of the war
were framed with the national colors,
President McKinleys likeness occupying
prominent position.
BATTERY REACHES THE HALL.
The hall filed rapidly, and soon the chat
ter of the ladies in the balcony was hushed
by the distant strains of the band which
preceded the marching men. The music be-
came stronger and the familiar notes OF
Marching through Georgia" were recog-
nized. Then the tramp of the feet was
heard, and then all was drowned in the
cheer that rose from the crowd. AS the
band entered the hall through the rear door.
with the battery marching two abreast fol-