The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-21
UNDER ARC LIGHTS
Old Vets Enjoy a Fine Pro-
gram Last Night
GIVEN BY THE w. R. c.
James w. Tapp Spoke and
Roasted the KIondike.

Wichita people probably never appreci-
| ated the beauty of South Riverside as they
did last night at the evening exercises Of
the soldiers reunion. The program was
under the auspices Of the Woman's Relief
Corps. at the close Of which James w.
Tapp was introduced 10 the audience as
the principal speaker Of the evening.
The grounds were beautifully lighted
throughout with arc lights. and all along
the main boulevard leading down between
| rows Of numerous tents and attractions
| there was a busy throng Of people. Out
| in the edge Of the grove the moonlight
| lent its enchanting rays to the. scene.
| Large swings were going and gay set
| Of young people promenaded through the
park, while many rode about and around
! the driveways, in carriages The night
was altogether beautiful for such an oc
casion. At the east end Of the park
merry-go-found was spinning all the time
with a merry lot Of youngsters in it.
Il
| loud voice, choice English and persistent
effort, telling all about the double-headed
sheep. A little farther on was another
man who had some wild and mysterious
beast from the Philippines on exhibition.
Numerous confectionery and eating
stands were strung along the boulevard.
and were doing rushing business.
La5 n
der the tent to listen to a splendid pro-
gram, and all were highly entertained.
Doug. Caldwell and little Miss Hatfield,
Mrs. Burgesser's pupil, could not be pres
ent on account of sickness. but the rest
Of the program was as follows:
Patriotic Song .-..-......-........''s'.
........1Ir. and Mrs. Durand and Son
Recitation Master Wendle
Solo Miss Henrietta Kopplin
Recitation Miss cara cone
Music ..,...............Du rand Family
Guitar and Mandolin Duet..............
Alonia and Leo Kopplin and Wal
ter Baer.
Song-''Break the News TO Mother.
.............. Miss Evangeline Burgesser
Flag Salute ..............-......-Li Little GIFTS
Recitation ....... Miss Ethel Carnahan
Soldier Cradle Song .Muril Berdine
TabIeau of States NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Music ,...................... Durand Family
Following the regular program Of the
W. r. c., President Burgess introduced
on behalf of the old soldiers, Mr.. j. w.
Tapp. Mr.. Tapp spoke for thirty minutes
and said more than most men would have
said in an hour. He met with rousing
reception Mr.. Tapp began by recalling
the struggles Of the Puritans. when they
contended for freedom Of thought and re-
Hgious convictions, and their trip TO the
new world in search OF that religious lib
erty: how they landed on our shores and
established an army Of sixteen men and
began the struggle under such unfavor-
able circumstances. He then briefly al
luded to the different epochs of history
from that rough beginning and very
aptly named the causes Of steady growth,
step by step. until the country is now the
richest on the globe When We consider
the many luxurious homes, the great
wealth, the happy and contented families
Of the present day, II is well, he said. to
stop and recount the cost He said 10 the
old soldiers was due all OF the honor that
comes from the new conditions. 1t was
the old soldier, he said, who made it pos
sible for these splendid conditions to ex-
ist, and no honor however great, could
possibly be bestowed unworthily on the
old soldier Mr. Tapp spoke eloquently
and periodically on the sieges and sacri-
fees OF the civil war, and paid worthy
tribute 10 the boys in blue and those IN
gray for their vaIor and good motives
and patriotism.
Mr. Tapp hit the Klondike q. hard blow
when he/ said: Notwithstanding our
country has erected fine homes and am
ply and wisely provided for those honored
veterans when they get too old and are
without means TO provide for themselves
Il has allowed 20 be set up near the mag
nificent homes which It has prepared. a
dirty hole that is allowed - be operated
near the places. This r0bs the old soldier
Of his pension. Of his honor and his
health It IS 4 blot on all that IS good in
the institutions that are intended TO be
LOT inc f-A Sh-t4leL u .fl--tiLlS anu ttLI4-
fort in his declining days. Il ought TO be
wiped out"
Again Mr.. Tapp lamhasted the 'Klon-
dixie" scheme when he said: 7 was utter
" ashamed yesterday when saw tackled
up in front Of q place in this town a sign
reading headquarters for Old soldiers
But I am gratifed 70 know that our
mayor and a coI5red policeman promptly
tore down the sign as soon as they
saw IL"
Mr.. Tapp paid a beautiful tribute to
the valor Of the old soldiers and % the
mothers who had been severed from hus-
bands and sons in the great conflict Of she
civil war lie closed by saving some
nice things about the W r C.. and re-
CContinued on Sixth Pars)