The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-28
BIG DAY AT SOUTHPORT.
FIRST CONFEDERATE REUNION EVER
HELD IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Company g., Twentieth Regiment OF
Confederate Troops, Celebrated It's
EFortieth Anniversary-A Veterans
Association OrRanfzed-An Associa-
ton Also Organized to Erect a
Monument at Southport.
Monument at Southport.

Yesterday was a memorable day at
Southport, the occasion being the first
Confederate reunion ever held in the
county. It was the 10th anniversary
Of Company c., Twentieth Regiment.
North Carolina state troops, and the
celebration attracted an immense
crowd from all owe the county.
Among thise present were Colonel
o D. Taylor, and Mr.. j. B.. Mercer,
of this city, the latter of whom was a
brother of Captain Oliver E. Mercer,
Of Company G., killed at the battle of
Gettysburg in 1863.
Mr.. w. w. Drew, one of the reunions
Of the company, presided and in well
chosen remarks stated the purpose OF
the meeting. Mr.. Drew was then made
permanent chairman.
Company c., formerly the Brunswick
guards, enlisted for the war May %,
1861, and though there are few surviv-
ors now, about IS veterans were present
to join them in the reunion.
The celebration took place in Frank
lin square,, where a c~ommodious ros-
trum had been erected for the purpose
and beautifully decorated with state
and national flags. An organ occu-
pied the roStrum and there was a
fine programme of music under the di-
rection of Professor c. Certain. There
was splendid singing by a mixed choi
consisting Of Mrs. r. w. Bailey, Mrs.
w. J.. Weeks, Mrs. S. w. Watts, Mrs.
r. F. Newton Miss Susie Williams,
Miss Lilly Drew, Miss Carrie Drew,
Miss Elena Mintz, n Messrs. c. Ed.
Taylor, Ed F. Davis, r. F. Newton,
Charles Phillips, ]. Mercer Taylor, B.
j. Holden and Fred R. Mintz. Profess
w. j. Weeks and Asa Dosher played
comets.
In addition to the musical pro-
gramme, Colonel Swift Galloway, of
Snow Hill, was to have delivered an
address but he was prevented from
coming. Colonel John d. Taylor, of
his city, however, made an excellent
address in his stead, n short talks
were made by Mr.. ]. B. Mercer, al
though not a veteran, and by others.
After the regular programme had been
carried out quite a number of veterans
related their war experience, thrilling
ly interesting the large crowd.
The veterans organized the COnfed-
crate Veteran Association of Bruins
wick county and elected the following
officers:
President-W. w. Drew
Secretary-John Jenrette.
Observation-Disclosures Smith.
1t was decided to have a committee
in every township n chairmen for
each township were named and grant
ed authority to name their committee
men,.
1t was agreed to hereafter have an
annual reunion of the Confederate
Veterans of Brunswick county on the
25th of May each year.
After the Veterans had completed
their business, Mr.. J.. B. Mercer was
called to the chair and a monument
association was organized. 1t was
called the Brunswick County Confed-
crate Monument Association and its
purpose is to erect a handsome monu
ment in memory of the Confederate
dead of Brunswick county. 1t is inten-
ded to erect a nice monument on
Franklin square.
The following officers of the associa-
ton were elected:
PreSident-MiSS Kate Stuart.
Vice President-Robert W. Davis.
Secretary-Fred r. Mintz.
Treasurer-E. H. Cranmer.
The following ways and mea com
mittee was appointed to devise means
of raising the monument fund: Mrs
Foley, Miss Maggie ST. George, and
Messrs. J. 3. Mercer and G. Ed Tay-
1or.
The sum of $50 was rised on the spot
as a nucleus for the monument fund.
A large number of members, both OLE
and young, joined the association.
Besides the delightful programme OF
this occasion, a feature that was i'm
mensely enjoyed was a sumptuous ant
elegant basket Inner on tables spread
in the grove.
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