Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-06-22


The Otero County Veteran As
sociation, composed of representa-
tives of the Blue and the Gray,
assembled at the Fair Grounds
Saturday last. %
In opening the first session
President Fenlason apologized for
the small attendance by the rush
of farm work.
Mayor Mcdonald gave the vet
Grams welcome in the following
neat speech:
I have the honor and pleasure OF
bringing you from the people OF Rocky
Ford message of good will, friendship
congratulate you upon the passing away
Of Mason and Dixon's line and the estab-
lishment Of fraternal relations which once
more mites us as ono people. I need
not tell yOu that your presence inspires
us with renewed patriotism. and that We
are truly glad that the old soldiers re-
nnion OF the blue and the gray once more
honors our community with an occasion
like this. Remembering the privations,
the hardships and ths blooishsd which
you endured during that memorable
struggle, and the elapse Of go many years
since that period, we rejoice with you
that so many veterans still abide with US,
and that today we may extend to You a
welcome and wish yOu most profitable
aud enjoyable meeting. I appear before
kuks - t,A
Pile among whom you meet, peo-
pie Of intelligence, Of good morals, OF
industry, and truly loyal to every prin.
ciple Of Americanism. to present to you
their kindest regards, expressing the
hope that this reunion, assembling ns 1t
does so near the close Of the century in
the garden spot of Colorado, may be
followed by many annual occasions such
as you may be expecting to enjoy at this
time. In conclusion. permit me to ex-
tend to yon one and all most sincere
and cordial welcome.
President Fenlason in response
returned the thanks of the veter-
ans for the welcome. In Otero
county all sectional feeling grow
ing out of the civil: war disap-
peared several years ago. 1t
seemed easy to forget the past
here in n new country. All are
patriots now. The basis of the
nations welfare is the home but
the man is very narrow whose af-
fection does not 60 beyond the
home and take in the state md
nation. Where the love of ones
state is in excess of love of the ma
ton there is danger, and there
may be danger of too much cen.
tralization-spelling nation with
two big Ms: Nation.
A telegram from Col. Lockhart
was read regretting his inability
to be present.
Ex-President Campbell, G. w
Collins, G. w. Goss and Comrade
Shaw exchanged few good army
jokes.
Among the statements by Mr.
Campbell, who was n confederate,
was that after he witnessed the
horrors of Libby prison he vowed
never to be instrumental in send.
ing another prisoner there. AT.
terward when he had control OF
two Yanks he turned them loose
rather than have them endure the
privations of Libby.
Rev. b. L. Mitchell told some
incidents of the battle of Wilson's
Creek which brought out n reply
from Gen. Royal.
An adjournment was made fol
dinner. The feast that was spread
had but two articles to specially
remind the veterans of their army
fare-beans and coffee.
The election of officers Mt the
afternoon session resulted rs fol-
lows:
President, Col. }. H. Loclhart.
Fowler.
1st Vice Pres, Rev. B. L,
Mitchell, Rocky Ford.
End Vice Pres, H. l. Olmstead,
Ordway.
3rd Vice Pres, Col. F. d. Wood
La Junta.