The Portland daily press., 1900-08-29
Million Spectators Wit
messed Parade.
Reunion of States Was Great
Success.

Chicago, August 28.-For four hours
and half today, the thinning ranks of
the Grand Army of the Republic passed
in review before their leaders and before
probably a million spectators, who were
packed in almost solid masses along the
four miles OF the line of parade. The
parade marked the climax OF the 34th
annual encampment Of the association
of veterans and was, according to Com
mander In Chief Shaw, the greatest pa
rade since that day in Washington when
the hundreds of thousands OF veterans,
the most powerful army on earth marched
in review to their final disbandmenU.
Probably 30, COO members of the army of
veterans took part in the parade. For
exactly four hours and twenty minutes,
most of the time with ranks almost
perfectly aligned, but occasionally fall
tering under the burden of years, they
filed past the reviewing stand on Michi-
gan avenue, salu5ing as they marched by
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Commander in
Chief Shaw, Gen. Daniel e. Sickles and
the Spanish minister, Duke d ARGOS.
/ Weather conditions were almost ideal
for the parade yearisome enough at best
for the silver haired veterans. The lin )
Of march, too, was much shorter than
ever before mapped out for the annual
parade, but, notwithstanding this, here
and there veteran dropped out of the
ranks.
One especially sad incident occurred
to mar in a degree the glory of the pa
rade, Charles Beckwith of Algonsea,
Mich, dropped dead az the line was ILL
ing past the corner of Michigan avenue
ana Madison street. The parade was
halted for a moment, the body of the vet
eran who had responded to his last CALL
was tenderly removed and his comrades
passed on.
1t was shortly before 1890 a. m, when
the head OF the column started from the
corner of Michigan avenue and Randolph
street and an hour later 1t was filing
past the reviewing stand. For hours
before that time, the sidewalks aIoug
the line Of march were packed from curb
to wall, the windows of the immense
office buildings were filled with sight
seers, especially along Michigan avenue
where were erected the beautiful column
and arches forming the court of honor
The marching column was headed by
a detachment of the city police under
the command of Lieut.. Flynn, which
in battalion formation swept the street
from curb to curb. Behind them came
band of 20 pieces and then Chief Mar
shall j. IL. Wood with his immediate
| staff ~ =
and aids came gathering on, and then,
behind the great band of the % infantry
CT the Illinois National guard came
Commander in Chief Shaw and the men
OF his staff, comprising Adjutant Gen
eral Stewart, Quartermaster General
Atkinson, Inspector General Cummings.
Judge Advocate General florence, and
Chief of Staff Winans.
Ahead of the carriages containing act
ing Governor Warder, who supplied the
place of Governor Tanner, Mayor Harri-
son, and Executive Director Harper, who
with Commander-in- chief Shaw, occu-
pied the reviewing stand during the pa
rade, marched Lafayette Post, No 14O of
New York city, commanded by Allan G.
BLACKWELL Cheer after cheer went up
as Gen. Daniel e. Sickles accompanied
by his aides rode past the reviewing
stand. All along the line of march the
general had been given a most fattering
greeting,
but the warmth of the reception that
met him as he approached the stand
where Commander Shaw was awaiting
TO receive his salute, caused him to
flush with pleasure and bow acknowl-
edgements again and again.
Twelve heralds in costume, each bear.
Ing long trumpet, came down the ave-
nue. announcing the approach Of the
pageant of patriotism, which followed
close behind them.
fltty members of Columbia Post OF
Chicago, formed a yellow square In the
centre of which were borne so battle
nags carried by New York regiment IS
during the war. The spectacles of the
worn and tattered flags was greeted at