The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1899-07-19
Confederate Reunion.

The reunion of onfeierate Veterans
under the auspices of John Nj. Simon
ton Camp, took ISace at Tupelo on Fri
day, 18th. In numbers and general in
terest it surpassed all expectations.
Most conservative estimates place the
number of visitors at not less than six
thousand. They cana by railroad and
dirt road, and from every direction.
Hundreds of wagons were loaded with
entire families, and they went for
good day, and found it. ...
The procession was formed at the
courthouse at 10 o'clock and moved to
the public school building. Hundreds
of old veterans were in the line, includ-
ing about thirty survivors of the Sec
ond Mississippi Infantry, guard OF
honor, cscorting their gallant old COM
mander. Col. John NJ. Stone, The
Eleventh Mississippi and several other
regiments were represented, and the
old veterans had good time in relat-
ing incidents of those times that tried
mems souls.
The exercises at the speakers stand
were opened with music, prayer. and
an eloquent address of welcome by
Mayor w. d. Anderson, which was re-
sponded to by the beautiful sponsor,
Miss Sallie Buchanan, of Nettleton, on
behalf of John NJ. Simonton Camp.
This was followed by response by Col.
L. T. Taylor in behalf of the veterans.
The orator of the day, Col. Russell, of
Mobile. was tEel introduced, and the
greeting of the great assembly was
most cordial. lie made an off-han
speech of forty-five minutes, and he
certainly entertained the crowd. He
ealisted at the age of Is in a company
at Verona, which tccame attached to
the Fortyfrst Mississippi. His nara
tive of the marches, the battles, the in
cidents and the tragedies, and the re-
suits of the war. were intensely inter
estiug, maintaining the attention of
the crowd from the beginning to the
close of his splendid address. Col.
Russell is president of the Mobile &
Ohio railroad, and appears to be as
progressive and popular in that line as
he was dashing and brave when he
seized and carried the colors of his
regiment at critical time.
A telegram from Hon. John NJ. Allen
expressed regret at his absence, but he
claimed to be doing as patriotic work
as when he donned the grey jacket of
private Confederate soldier.
Ex-Governor Stone and two one
legged veterans of his old command
were then introduced. He held each
by the hand, as they received the
plaudits of the entire multitude. Col.
Stone acknowledged very feelingly the
compliment thus paid him and his
manned comrades.
Secretary of State Power was then
introduced, and spoke about fifteen
minutes on Mississippi in the Civil
War" lie gave some facts and figures
of great interest and value.
Dinner was then announced, and the
big tables and baskets furnished more
The barbecued meats included thirteen
beeves and one hundred and forty-nine
other carcasses.N The reunion was a
great success, and Tupelo may well be
proud of it.
Mr.. win Simonton made an address
in the afternoon that was highly COM
plimented. -u
but He Is Your Son."
ID
Hutton, pastor of the First Presbyterian
church, jackson, was in his study medi-
tating upon topic for the Wednesday
evening lecture. the door bell rang, and
when he arose to see who might be the
caller, he recognized the son of a
brother in the ministry young man
who was one of the patients in the
soldiers hospital, at Blind Institute, in
the summer of 1897. The young man
was almost naked and looked very
feeble. He was tramp. He wanted
something to eat, and funds.to go some
where--it mattered not where. The
kind pastor soon communicated with
the father by long distance telephone,
aud the situation was explained. The
father replied that the boy was per-
sistent tramp, and would despise any
kindness that might be extended him
that he had abandoned all hope of be.
ing able to reclaim him. "But he is your
son. He is here and in great need, and
is willing to go home, said Mr.. Hutton.
And the response, in tremulous tone
came: Then please send him-I will
try him once more" This youth is one
of great army for whom broken
hearted mothers inquire, where is my
wandering boy tonight" ~.
1t is to be much regretted that con-
demnation proceedings will have to be
resorted to in order to get possession OF
some of the lands needed for the Ma
tional Military Park, Vicksburg.
The Cumberland Telephone company
has absorbed the Peoples at jackson
aud the Citizens at vicksburg. An.
other case where the longest pole takes
the persimmon.