Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-07
c. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.
Programme Of the Thirty-Thir
Reunion Of Veterans.
ADMIRAL SANPSOy'SFLEE1 PRESENT.

Sixteen Hundred Tents Provided for tn,
Old Soldiers Who Prefer to Camp
Out-Boyd's Girl Cadets Of
Topeka, Kan.
Philadelphia, Sept. 1.-THE thirty
third annual encampnent Of the Crane
Army of the Republic began to-day
The vanguard Of the veterans reached
this city and found the people. with
outstretched hands. Never again,
perhaps, will Philadelphia be the scene
of national encampment of the
G. A. R. OF the valiant men who de.
Tended the cause of the union there
remains but remnant and, with the
depletion Of the ranks, the welcome is
the more heartfelt and enthusiastic.
Admiral Sampson with his fleet OF
fighting ships arrived here yesterday
and this marks the beginning Of
weeks celebration.
The city is crowded with strangers
while the incoming trains from all
sections are bringing thousands upon
thousans to help swell the throng. In
anticipation Of the coming of the host
of visitors and in recognition of the
patriotism of the veterans who freely
offered their lives in defense of the
union, Mayor Ashbridge issued a
proclamation in which he recommended
the events to the loyal and patriotic
interest of the people urging the dec
Grafton Of stores anddwellings in every
street in the city,"
The route Of the veterans parade
which takes place on Tuesday, is one
solid blaze Of color and light, Not a
building but has its front incased in
the red, white and blue. Camp Sex
ton, near Belmont, in Paramount park,
contains 1000 tents. II Is intended to
accommodate those posts of the Grand
Army which prefer to camp out rather
than be quartered in halls, armories or
private houses. The tents will shelter
10000 veterans.
The big parade on Tuesday will be
In u divisions. Post No. l, from Rock
ford, ILL.,, the Oldest post in the Grand
Army, will head the line. As the vet
Grams pass around the city hall they
will be reviewed by President McKin-
ley, who is expected to arrive here to-
night, accompanied by Secretaries
Root and Gage and Postmaster Gen
eral Smith. There will be over $4,000
men In line. A feature of Tuesdays
events will be the chorus OF 5000
school children, who will occupy por-
ton Of the grand stand on the north
side Of the city hall. As the
parade passes this point the children
will sing patriotic airs.
OF all the military organizations to
attend the encampment probably none
will attract more attention than Boyd's
Girl cadets, Of Topeka, Kan. These
young ladies are the daughters Of vet
Grams and are commanded by II. N.
Boyd, who was sergeant of company L,
Seventh Illinois cavalry, during the
civil war. They will grace the line Of
parade on Tuesday.
A question Of absorbing interest to
g. A, r. veterans which will be decided
during the encampment is the election
Of commander-in-chie and other
officers, Two candidates prominent in
the field are Albert D. Shaw, OF Joe
Spratt post, Watertown, N. Y, and
Judge Leo Rassieur, Of St. Louis.
Private" James l.. Dalzell, of COM
pany II, One Hundred and Sixteenth
Ohio, is also a candidate. Others
urged by their friends are Col, W. {,
Johnson, Of Cincinnati, acting COM
nander-in-chief, and Brig. Gen. Charles
Miller, of Venango, Pa.
A feature of the encampment not to
be overlooked is the gathering of vari.
GUS organizations of patriotic women,
closely allied to the Grand Army of the
Republic. The National Association
If Army Nurses of the Civil War will
meet and elect officers and the Ladies
Of the G. A. r. will take similar action.
The naval veterans will enjoy the
distinction of giving the first street
parade during the encampment.
Theirs will take place this afternoon
md will be unique feature of the
demonstration. The old salts who
fought under Farragut will tramp
shoulder to shoulder with the younger
veterans of the Spanish-American war.
Next Friday the naval parade viii
Jake place. Admiral Simpsons fleet
will be anchored in the Delaware river
opposite tile city and long liue OF
'essels will pass around the fighting
hips. President Mckinley and cab
net officers will review the warships
rom the revenue cutter Gresham.
Members of the commission of the inn
,erial Russian navy, stationed here SUI
,erintending the building Of a battle.
hip and cruiser, will participate in
he naval pageant.
Philadelphia, Sept. with the ar
ival from Cincinnati yesterday Of Act
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