Iron County register., 1899-09-07
VETERANS OF THE Union.
Thirty-Thi Annual Encampment
of the Grand Army of the Re-
public in Philadelphia.
THE CITY EN- FETE FOR THE OCCASION.
The Weeks Celebration Begun with the
Parade of the Naval Veterans-The
Big Parade Scheduled for Tuesday and
the Naval Parade on the Delaware
River for Friday.

Philadelphia, Sept. 4.-The thirty
third annual alencampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic begins to-day.
The vanguard of the veterans has
reached the city and found the people
with outstretched hands. Never again,
perhaps, will Philadelphia be the
scene of a national encampment of the
G. A. r. Of the valiant men who de-
Tended the cause of the Union there
remains but remnant, and with the
depletion of the ranks, the welcome
is the more heartfelt and enthusias-
tic.
Beginning of the Weeks Celebration.
Admiral Sampson, with his fleet of
fighting ships, arrived yesterday, and
this event marked the beginning of
the weeks celebration. The city is
crowded with strangers, while the in
coming trains from all sections are
bringing thousands upon thousands to
further swell the throng. In anticipa-
ton of the coming of the host of Wis
itors and in recognition of the patri-
otism of the veterans who freely OF
fered their lives in defense of the
Union, Mayor Ashbridge issued
proclamation in which he recommend
ed the event to the loyal and patri-
otic interest of the people," urging the
decoration of stores and dwellings, in
every street in the city.
The city has borne its share of the
work, and the citizens of Philadelphia,
by contributions of cash and in wei.
coming banners have shown their in.
terest in the reunion.
Route of the Veterans Parade.
The route of the veterans parade
which takes place on Tuesday, is one
solid blaze of color and light. Not
building but has its front incased in
the red, white and blue. The Avenue
OF Fame, which extends from Walnut
to Cherry streets, on Bread, a distance
of five blocks, with the city hall as
the center, is the most magnificent
piece of decoration ever attempted in
this city. There are two classes of
columns. The larger and more ornate
are about so feet in height and are
placed at the streetcorners. The small
er columns, about 25 feet high, stand
on each side of Broad street between
the larger columns.
The corner pillars are massive, but
graceful, and at the base of each are
alternative, in heroic size, two soldiers
and two sailors. Numerous circles of
electric lights decorate the poles from
the base to the gifted eagles at the
top.
The columns are connected by fes-
toons of bunting and laurel and
strings of incandescent lamps give
brilliant effect at night.
The north and south fronts of the
city hall will be illuminated with mas
sive electric light pieces, 80 feet in
length, representing the G. A. r.
badge. Rows of incandescent lights
extend from the top of Penn's statue,
55 feet above the street level, to the
roof and around the structure, Civ
ing the effect of an immense column
of brilliant light.
Patriotic Women.
A feature of the encampment not to
be overlooked is the gathering of
various organizations of patriotic
women, closely allied to the Grand
Army of the Republic. The national
association of army nurses of the civil
war will meet and elect officers, and
the Ladies of the G. A. r will take SIM
liar action.
The Naval Veterans.
The naval veterans enjoyed the
distinction of giving the first street
parade during the encampment. Theirs
took place this afternoon, and
was unique feature of the demon
stration. The old salts who fought
under Farragut tramped shoulder to
shoulder with the younger veterans of
the Spanish-Anerican war.
The Naval Parade
Next Friday the naval parade will
take place. Admiral Simpsons fleet
will be anchored in the Delaware
river, opposite the city, and a long
line of vessels will pass around the
fighting ships. President Mckinley and
cabinet officers will review the war
ships from the revenue cutter Gresh-
am. Members of the commission OF
the Imperial Russian navy, stationed
here experimenting the building of
battleship and cruiser, will parti-
cipate~in the naval pageant.
To Entertain President Mckinley.
Elaborate preparations have been
made for the entertainment of Pres
ident and Mrs. Mckinley. The front
rooms of an entire floor have been set
apart for their accommodation at the
Hotel Walton, and nothing has been
left undone that will add to their
comfort.