The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-13

This veterans column. IL Is presumed
is not so exclusively devoted to the pas;
as to refuse small space to the present.
brief account of the way Joseph E.
Johnston camp, U. c. ". No "a, with
headquarters at Mexia. Limestone county.
Texas. holds its reunions may not be
without interest.
West Of the Central railroad. six miles
from Mexia and about the same distance
from Groesbeeck, Is an immense grove of
post oak and elm trees standing on soil.
the absolute and unincumbered property
OF the camp. 1t embraces, perhaps, fifty
acres of sandy land sloping gently toward
Jacks creek. On the west it is bounded
by running water suitable and in ample
quantity for stock and washing purposes,
and magnificent spring on the land af-
lords an abundant supply of cool and pure
water for drinking and culinary purposes.
The Mexia camp bought ten acres OF
this land as beginning, which they sub
divided into lots OF 40xS0 feet in dimen-
sion and sold to members of the camp at
20 lot The first sales paid for the
original ten acres Since then the camp
has made additional purchases and add
tlonal subdivisions and now there are
probably one or more hundred owners of
iots--all deeds to the same containing
stipulation that they shall be used for
camping purposes only and that the own
ers and persons In possession shall abide
by the rules and regulations OF the camp
ana on failure to comply with these con-
ditions shall forfeit title TO the lots bought
This camping ground liz held TO be Com
federate soil and TO it there is an annual
migration, not only by the members of
the camp. but by the people generally OF
Limestone and surrounding 1unlIes In
the center of the grounds is large pa
viiton, whose seating capacity will be
largely Increased by another year. Privi-
leges are sold to those who wish to utilize
the reunion for money making purposes,
and the funds thus acquired pay all the
expenses of the reunion and leave a CONF
Portable surplus for improving the grounds
An engine is employed TO pump water from
the creek into huge tank, and a sprinkler
is continually at work through the day
wetting the ground and laying the dust
Each owner OF a lot stretches tent or
stops his wagon on IT, and as wide streets
are left, there is no crowding of man OF
beast. The wilderness becomes for a week
a city of tents and wagon Sheets for the
campers bring kitchen and household fur-
nlture, bedding and provisions for them
selves and their friends and come for en-
joyment That they get it goes without
saying Aside from the reunion of old
comrades and friends, the amusements Of
fered on all sides by the business element
and the interest the camp takes in It's
principal business meeting Of the year,
there is-as a young lady of Mexia SAYS
IN letter" plenty OF trees to make thinU
shady, plenty Of grass to make things
cool, plenty of crickets to make things
cheerful, and plenty OF the small unmen-
tlonalble creatures to make things lively"
AT the reunion OF the present year, be-
ginning July 10, there were on very con-
seryative estimate, 600 tents 1400 wagons
and 10000 people on the grounds during
the three days devoted to the reunion
proper, The young folks of Groesbeeck
Hubbard City and Mexia furnished song
and music each night. the stranger was
made welcome and everybody had gay
old time In the woods. Why can not other
Confederate camps do as well and as much
toward Keeping alive the sacred memories
OF the past?