The Anaconda standard., 1899-10-01
SHE WEARS AN ARMY SUIT.
Woman Colonel Noted in the Encamp-
ment of G. A. r..

Woman Colonel Noted in the Encamp-
ment of q. A. r.
Probably the most interesting par
ticipant in the recent national encamp
ment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public at Philadelphia was Colonel Mil
lie Eldridge. Colonel EIdridge is, with
out doubt, the handsomest member of
the Grand Army of the Republic seen
in these parts since the inception of the
order The excursion party with which
she is travelling came from southern
Missouri and Arkansas, "the land of the
big red APPLE" and, appropriately
enough the excursion is called the pig
red apple" excursion. 1t was the unani-
nous opinion Of the throngs at Union
station that 1.-The big red apple excur-
sionists had among their number a
peach" and that peach. was Colonel
Eldridge.
Colonel Eldridge is not yet 20 years
old. She is a very pretty girl, with
face a perfect oval, regular features, a
delicate, peachy complexion, large, clear
blue eyes and luXuriant mass OF
chestnut hair above an intellectual
brow. She is of medium height ana
has a good figure, which her natty mill
tary uniform sets off to excellent ao-
vantage. She is fluent and entertain
| ing talker.
The colonel is the daughter of Major
J, T. Eldridge of Springfield, Mo-, an old
G. A. r. veteran, who is with her on the
trip. She has been honored by her state
as but young women have throughout
! the country. She has been ofhclally ac-
| knowledged as the daughter OF the mis-
souri, department G. A. r., adopted as
a sister by the Sons of Veterans and
| elected a member of the Woman's Re-
! lief corps, being the youngest woman
| ever elected to that organization.
She was elected to the Missouri de-
partment in 1894 and honored with the
| title of colonel, which entities her to
wear the uniform indicative of her
| rank In 1897 she was formally adopted
as a sister by the Sons of Veterans, and
! this spring she was elected a member
| of the Woman's Relief Corps Auxiliary.
! Missouri was the first Grand Army or
! the Republic department in the union
| to officially adopt a daughter, and the
Sons of Veterans of that state the first
| to adopt sister. The members OF
these orders in the state are proud OF
this distinction, and Springfield is es-
| pecially flattered at the honors show
cred upon it's fair daughter.
When Colonel Eldridge was officially
acknowledged by Missouri, other states
We're quick to follow the example, and
at present there are daughters" and
Although she is naturally very proud
of the honrs, bestowed upon her, the
Colonel wears them very modestly
and in conversing upon topics connect.
| ed with the various orders of which she
is member, never obtrudes her owr
individuality.
A reporter had the pleasure of a few
minutes chat with the pretty colone
just before the excursion train pulled
out for Philadelphia. She was feelinl
very i'll from the combined effects o
travel, but when her father introduces
the reporter, she stood up, grasped hi
hand cordially and smiled a welcome
the flush on her cheeks like that on tn
| cheeks of the luscious red apples of he
native section.
The reporter observed. by way of a
opening, that he had halfway expecte
to see her in uniform.
"Oh, no." she replied, smiling still
"That would attract too much attentio
I altogether, which is distasteful to lnt
Besides, you know, the blouse is rathe
| well, snug-f1tting, you understand
and understand-and it would only ad
to my discomfort while travelling. An
then, again, only wear it on state oc
casions, such as encampments and tn
= like. But perhaps you would like
: see it? Shall I put it on to show yo
how I look in it?"
? "Oh, pease do" assented the reporte
. expectantly.
, 1T is the regulation military uniforl
of colonel" she observed, opening tn
. satchel containing it. THAT is,