Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-09-01


Review-The Annual business Meet
ing Opened.
Chicago. Aug. 29.-For four hours
and half yesterday the thinning ranks
of the Grand Army of the Republic
passed in review before the leaders and
before probably a million spectators.
packed in almost solid masses along
four miles of the line of parade. It
marked the climax of the 34th annual
encampment of the association of vet
Grams who filled the pages of history
with deeds of heroism during the weary
years of the civil war, and was. accord
ing to COMMUNICATIVE Shaw, the
greatest parade since that day in
Washington. when the hundreds OF
thousands of veterans. the most power
full army on earth. marched in review
to their final disarmament.
Probably so 900 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 occasion
ally faltering under the burden of their
years. they fled past the reviewing
stand on Michigan avenue. saluting as
they marched by Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
DudN. zen. IAN
lei z. Sickels, Gen. Joseph Wheeler.
Acting Governor wardner. Mayor Har-
rison, Speaker Henderson, Senator Gull
iom and the Spanish minister, Duke
D'Arcos
Weather conditions were almost ideal
for the parade. wearisome at best for
the silver haired veterans. The rays
OF the sun were yelled by light. feecy
clouds nearly all day. and even when
unobscured their effect was greatly
tempered by a cool breeze which blew
steadily of Lake Michigan. The line
or march, too, was much shorter than
ever before mapped out for the annual
parade, its entire length not being over
four miles, but Notwithstanding this.
here and there a veteran, dazed and
exhausted, dropped out Of the ranks.
Especially was this true after the re-
viewing stand was passed. and many
pathetic scenes were witnessed down
the long stretch Of Michigan avenue as
the veterans fell by the wayside.
One especially sad incident occurred
TO mar in a degree the glory of the
parade, Charles Beckwith, of Algonsea.
Mich, dropping dead as the line was
Ming past the corner of Michigan ave-
nue. and Madison street The parade
was halted for a moment, the body Of
the veteran who had responded to his
last call was tenderly removed and his
comrades passed on.
The first cheers from the reviewing
stand were given TO the famous old
war eagle of the Wisconsin troops.
odd Abe" the stuffed figure OF which,
borne aloft by brawny buckslxin
dressed veteran, was heartily greeted
by the crowds and saluted by Gen.
Miles and the others In the boxes. The
post escorting "Old Abe" was closely
followed by Lucius Fairchild post.
which startled the crowds by stoppipe
IN front of Gen. Miles and Commander
Shaw, giving the familiar "Rah rahs"
OF the University of Michigan. 1t was
somewhat cracked and feeble. but il
showed the undimmed spirit that made
the Iron Brigade famous, and il started
the crowd to cheering again. A few
moments later George G.. Meade post,
No. !, OF Philadelphia, filed by Borne
aloft by "a silver haired veterans were
as many battle flags, tattered and torn
by bullets, and close behind them ten
equally ragged corps flags. They were
the first of the many battle flags car
ried in the parade that were seen by
the thousands along the line of march,
and everywhere the ragged banners
were greeted with cheers.
one OF the most striking features of
the parade was the appearance of the
Iowa veterans, thousands in number.
Speaker Henderson received an ova-
uCn from them. He was recognized as
the veterans from the Hawkeye state
reached the stand, and the band, stop
ping in front of his box, ceased play
ing and raised their voices in a sons.
From Iowa" the chorus of which
thundered out by thousand or more
veterans, was as follows:
'Hurrah, Murray, corn and hay;
We're the boys from Ioway.
First in war, first in peace;
First in the hands of the city police
Shortly after passing the. reviewing
stand the line Of march disbanded. and
most of the veterans, tired with the
hours of march, sought their hotels
and lodging places.
The evening was given up entirely to
affairs or social character, the chief
event being an informal reception to
Commander-in-Chie Shaw, depart
ment commanders and distinguished
guests, at Memorial Hail. In 26 diff
ferent places in the down town dis
trlct reunions of states were held
The annual business meeting of the
Grand Army of the Republic was open-
ed this morning in the Studebaker
theater. The meeting was called to or
der by Commander Shaw, and an adj
dress OF welcome was made by Mayor
Harrison, Commander Shaw replyingS
Tor the members of the army. ]. ].
Longnecker, Of Chicago, then, speak
ing for the old soldiers of Illinois. ex-
tended a greeting from the state at
large, and to this Gen. Louis Wagner |
replied. 1t is expected by the ma
pority of the delegates appointed TO at
tend the meeting that the business of
the organization will be over by to-
night, and that there will be no need
or the meeting being adjourned untn /
tomorrow.
Engineers HerOism Saves Lives.
Leadville, Colo. Aug 29.-The We'll |
don mine iOcafad i,tof cost 90 e.