The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-28
OLD REBEL YELL.
It Rings Out in Honor of Gen.
John b. Gordon.
United Confederate Veterans
Meet in Memphis.
HEARTILY WELCOMED
A Number of GaVels Possessing
Historic Interest.
Sons of Veterans Hold Sixth
Annual Reunion.

Memphis. Tenn, May 2s-The con-
vention Of the United Confederate Vet
Grams was called to order by Gen.
George w. Gordon, of Memphis. who
raped his desk with a gavel made of
wood taken from tree which shaded
the favorite seat of Jefferson Davis at
Beauvoir Miss
Rev. J. VIM. Jones, of Richmond. Va,
then offered prayer, the veterans stand
ing with uncovered heads.
AT the conclusion of the prayer Gen
eral Gordon introduced Governor Nc
Millin, of Tennessee. who welcomed the
delegates in behalf of the state.
Governor McMillin gave a most
hearty welcome to the visitors Of the
city He CON plimented the men of the
south on their glorious record in the
war, and deplored the fact that so many
of the glorious band had passed away
Cheer after cheer greeted the governor
as he resumed his seat.
Mayor Williams of Memphis extend
ed to the visitors a most cordial well
come.
tie speech brought forward Tin othy T.
Cooper, of Mississippi. who extended a
welcome to the Daughters of the Con-
federacy, the Confederate Southern Me-
mortal association and to the represen-
tatives of the Jefferson Davis MOnu-
ment association.
The address of Judge Cooper was re-
ceived with great applause General
Gordon then rendered the hall to the
veterans for their use during the con-
vention, and turned it over to Gen. John
B. Gordon, of Georgia, grand COM
mander of the United Confederate Vet
Grams, as their representative
The n ention of the name Of Gen. Jno.
B. Gordon was greeted with cheer after
cheer as the tall form of the general
was seen advancing from the rear of
the platform.
'Bang," went the gavel in the hands
of Gen. J. B. Gordon. but the cheers
went on, the veterans standing upright.
swinging their hats, and giving again
and again the yen of welcome.
Bang. bangi" went the gavel but
to no avail.
Please let us have quiett' rang the
clear, penetrating voice of General Cor
don piercing through the house.
Delegates viii please resume their
seats" And after few more rounds
of vociferous welcome the delegates
General Gordon then formally ac-
cepted the hall.
At the conclusion of General Gordon's
address, Gen. S. d. Lee presented an
other gavel. whose head was made from
the wood of the Star of West, at which
was fired the first shot of the war as it
attempted to carry relief to Fort sum
ter, the handle being made from a tree
growing on the estate at Beauvoir.
Gen. Jno. w Gordon then delivered a
gavel made from wood of a tree grow
ing on the battlefield of AppomattOX.
In neat address Gen. Jno. =. Cor
don accepted both gavels. He then pre-
sented Col Bennett Fl. Young, Of Louis
Vile, the orator Of the day.
SONS OF VETERANS
Memphis. Tenn. May 28.-The sixth
annual reunion of the United Sons OF
Confederate Veterans was called to order
in the Auditorium at 1915 o'clock today
by the Right Rev. Bishop Thomas f.
Gailor of Memphis Prayer was offered
by Rev. Geo. Patterson of Memphis.
The auditorium was beautifully decor
ated with the national cOlors while over
the stage hung pictures of Gen. "StOne-
Wall'' jackson. Gen. Robert r. Lee. Gen.
N. B. Forrest and others who hadNbeen
intrepid leaders in the southern confed-
eracy. At the rear of the stage. sitting
in a semi-circle were the sponsors and
maids of honor Of the different camps of
the Sons Of Veterans wearing vari-col-
ored badges and streamers pertaining TO
their camps and forming beautiful
background to the occasion.
Brigade Commander r. Leedy Mat
theWs of Memphis, assumed the chair
and introduced division commander ot
Tennessee, James J. Bean of Lynch
burg, Tenn. who delivered the address
Of welcome
In a brief address, commander OF
Tennessee department. Geo. N. Myers.
Of Holly Springs. Miss, turned the con-
vention over to the chief
BfscOe I1indman of Louisville. who made
a short speech in accepting, and assum-
ed the chair.
The convention took a recess until ?
o'clock and marched in a body to con-
federate hall to participate in the re-
union exercises with the veterans.