The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-25
C. A. R. REUNION.
Day Of PreIiminaries at Camp
Funston.
Veterans Being Welcomed and
Assigned TO Quarters.
CAMP FIRE TONIGHT.
Dedication Will Take Place
Tomorrow.
Programme of Camp Fires and
Meetings.
CAMP FIRE TONIGHT.

The state c. A. R. reunion proper
really begins at 9 o'clock Tuesday but
reunions are taking place every minute
today. Veterans grizzled and hoary are
meeting men with whom they touched
elbows on many a weary march 80
years ago. Some there are who meet
comrades for the first time since the
days OF the rebellion.
These incidents are the backbone OF
the annual reunions. The men in faded
blue will listen intently to speakers un-
der the big tent but the effect is less
soul-stirring than the meetings which
pass unnoticed save to the two most
interested.
That is why the person with no war
experience fails to appreciate the re-
union. He does not see the little
things that make the happiest moments
in the veterans life and he can not
feel the heart throbs of the men who
endured untold hardships for the sake
of the Union.
There is a noticeable lack of decora-
tion on Kansas avenue. Business men
have either forgotten or are putting off
the establishment of store fronts until
tomorrow. Everybody should at least
put out a flag. Let the soldiers feel
that Topeka appreciates their presence.
Topeka should wear a holiday dress OF
national cOlOrs this week.
The long lines of white tents are taSC
being taken and today a constant
stream of covered wagons have filed
through the gate and reported to head
quarters
The tents are new and clean. The straw
is fresh and a pile of it covered with
real old army blankets is far more
comfortable bed than many imagine.
The great piles of wood viii make warm
CampfireS around which the veterans
will assemble first for mess The odor
of boiling coffee and broiling bacon is
tantalzing enough to induce a hearty
appetite Then pipes and stories.
The exposition hall has been trans
formed into an auditorium The three
wings, centering at the speakers stand,
are filled with benches ana the bullOlnS
will accommodate at least ,, 500. The
platform is large enough to accOmmo-
date the MOdocs, who will sing the
songs of 81
Col Dan F. Wyatt, the officer of the
day, has been busy welcoming the old
soldiers and their families As fast as
they come he has piIoted them to their
division. The side shows are there, and
early in the morning the merry-gO-
round started up, sqUeaky organ and
all, and has been running steadily.
The different states have tents The
signs on the outside of the tent flaps
show that within all members of the
81 Indiana or some other regiment are
especially welcome.
Department Commander Coulter has
evacuated his office in the state house
and moved bag and baggage to the de-
partment tent at the camp. where he
Will be all the week and where all the
department business will be transacted.
At 1880 this evening free for all
campfire will be in charge of Capt C.
H. Titus, but the camp fires and
speeches will not be we'll under way un-
til Tuesday. That will be Sons of Vet
Grams Day and the following is the pro-
gramme:
officer of the day. T. S. Stover lola
500 a. m.-Business meetings of the
various state associations at their
headquarter tents.
1000 a. m.-Dedication of camp, T. J.
Anderson presiding. Address by J. F.
Buck, chairman local reunion commit
tee. Address by 0. H. Coulter, depart
ment commander, assuming command
of Camp Funston.
1870 a. m.-Sons OF Veterans camp
fire, Col Grant Harrington, HiaWatha,
presiding. Addresses by Col. z. Madi-
son, Dodge City Balance of programme
to be arranged by Col L. B. Price of
Mulvane, commander of the Kansas
division.
200 p. m.-Campfire, D. W. Eastman,
Emporia, presiding.
Prayer by d. D. Akin, department
chaplain. Address of welcome on be-
half of the city by the mayor. Address
of welcome on behalf of the state by
the governor Response on behalf of
veterans 81 to '65, A. W. Smith. Nc
PhersOn. Responses on behalf Spanish
war veterans. Major A. NJ. Harvey.
Addresses by J. NJ. Miller John Mad
den, ex-United States Senator w. A.
PETER.
7:3O p. m.-Campfre, Ed B. Jones.
Holton, presiding. Addresses by Chas.
Curtis, A A. GODDARD. Capt. ". +.
Henry and others.