The Worthington advance., 1899-09-08
VETERANS GATHER
Thousands Assemble in PhilaaeIphis
for the Annual G. A. r.. En-.
campment.

it is estimated that not fewer than
25O,O other visitors will come to Phila-
delphia from all parts of the country,
and the number may mount up to
100000.
Illinois will send 13 posts of 1000 men
altogether, and these. after their fitting
| reception at the hands of local veterans,
will be escorted, one post to the STRAIT
ford hotel, one to Alsace and Lorraine
hall, one to Clerks hall, six to the Third
regiment armory and four to Camp Sex
ton, at Belmont, out in Fairmount park.
At the latter spot on a picturesque slope
on the side of green hill overlooking
some of the most attractive sections of
Philadelphia 2,7O0 large white tents flap
open their welcome to nearly $4,000 men
who will there encamp.
Agreat crowd gathered along the Del
aware river front Sunday to watch the
arrival of the warships. The North At
lantic squadron, composed of the flag
ship New York, cruiser Brooklyn, bat
tleships Indiana, Massachusetts, and
Texas, under command of Rear Admiral
Sampson, arrived off the center of the
city at 1870 p. m. The fleet had an
chored at Bombay Hook, about IS miles
down the river, Saturday night and
weighed anchor at seven o'clock in the
morning and proceeded up the river. A
reception committee composed of May
or Ashbridge, the local G. A. r. commit
tee and several city officials, left the
League Island navy yard at $3.50 on
board the government tug Samoset to
meet the squadron. The ships were
met eff Chester, Pa, and the reception
committee boarded the flagship and
formally welcomed the admiral to Phil
adelphia.
From Chester to this city, distance
of II miles, the fleet was rendered al
most a continuous ovation. Steam
whistles of factories, locomotives and
river craft made a great noise, to which
was added the cheers of the multitudes
along both the Pennsylvania and New
Jersey shores. The squadron presented
a magnificent appearance as 1t steamed
slowly up the river. The New York led
the way, with the Brooklyn, Indiana,
Massachusetts, and Texas following in
the order named. The flagship dropped
anchor off Market street, and the other
vessels swept gracefully by with their
crews at attention. They all dropped
anchor to the north. of the flagship.
forming single column, and will re-
main in that position until they sail
away at the latter part of the week.
The cruiser Detroit arrived several
hours later and anchored south of the
flagship.
Of the five big ships that arrived
Sunday, the New York, Brooklyn, Mas
sachusetts and Indiana were built in
this city, and the people evinced the
greatest interest in them, it being their
first appearance in these waters since
the close of the'war.
In anticipation of the coming of the
host of visitors and in recognition of
the patriotism of the veterans who free.
ly offered their lives in defense of the
union Mayor Ashbridge issued proc
lamation in which he recommended the
events to the loyal and patriotic in
terest of the people," urging the deco
ration of stores and dwellings in every
street in the city. The city has borne
it's share of the work and the citizens
of Philadelphia, in contributions of cash
and in welcoming banners, have shown
their interest in what will be the great
est reunion ever held.
A feature of Tuesdays events will be
the chorus of 5000 school children, who
will occupy a portion of the grand stand
on the north side of the city hall. As
the parade passes this point the chill
dren will sing patriotic airs.
Elaborate preparations have been
made for the entertainment of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley. The front
apart for their accommodation at the
Hotel Walton, and nothing has been
left undone that will add to their COM
fort. The president will take part in
the big reception at the Academy of
Music Tuesday evening, and after re-
viewing the big parade will be enter
tanned at lunch in the city hall.
President Mckinley and his party will!
leave Washington this evening, arriving
in Philadelphia about nine o'clock. On
Tuesday he will review the great pa
rade, attend the camp fire at the Acad-
emy of Music and participate in sew
eral other functions that night.
The events of the week aside from
those outlined above will be:
Tuesday Night-Meade posts banquet in
Odd Fellows temple, with 500 prominent
guests, including President Mckinley and
Admiral Sampson
Wednesday and Thursday-National en-
campment and convention. National ex-
ecutive meeting. with 1900 delegates, in
Grand Opera house. at which the most
important work will be the selection of
new commander in chief, in the race for
which position Maj. Leo Rossieur, of st.
Louis, and Col. Albert D. Shaw, of New
York, are neck and neck
Wednesday Evening-Reunion and dog
watch at the Academy of Music
Thursday Evening-Veterans' camp fire
Friday-Naval pageant on the Delaware
river.