The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-07-04
Veterans of the Civil War Meet for
Their Annual Evening With
z. G. Simmons.
MILWAUKEE, AND RACINE ALSO.
Members OF the E. B. Wollocott and Gov
ernor Harvey Posts Attend the Reunion
Many Happy "reminiscences.

The beautiful grounds and residence
of z. G. Simmons on Prairie avenue
were ablaze with light last night in
honor of the annual reunion of the
veterans of the civil war from Keno
sha county. The reunion last night
was the most enjoyable event of the
year in Grand Army circles, and the
old boys will look back to it as one Of
the most enjoyable in Wisconsin since
the close of the great struggle in 1868.
The arrangements for the greeting
of the old >o1diers last evening were
most elaborate. No stone was left un-
turned by the genial host to make it
red letter day for the soldiers, and his
efforts were certainly successful. The
lawn was decorated with a profusion of
japanese lanterns and the entire porch
had been trimmed with electric lights,
rejecting the red, white and blue of
the flag.
Besides the members of the local
post Mr.. Simmons had as his guests
during the evening 80 members of the
E. P. Wollocott post, of Milwaukee,
and half dozen of the members OF
the Racine post.
The G.. A. r. men met at the head
quarters on Main street and marched in
a body to the home of Mr.. Simmons.
He greeted them cordially and in few
words of formal welcome, he told how
his heart was full of love for the mem
bers of the Grand Army.
There was no forma1ity in the exer-
cises-no set speeches-but the veter-
ans had the freedom of the house and
grounds, and they enjoyed them as
they would. Early in the evening an
informal reunion was held. The old
comrades lighted their cigars and sat
around: the piazza and grounds and
talked over the events of the great
struggle. There were many remi-
niscences ofsthe war told for the first
time and the greeting of the comrades
was like the meeting of great family
after years of separation. While these
informal reunions were going on
Comrade: Starkweather, of the Mil
waukee post, started song and the old
soldiers joined heartily in the refrains
OF the pattleheld.
A letter was read during heevening
from Col A. G.. Weissert, of Milwau-
kee, who sent regrets that he could not
be present.at the reunion. He paid
pretty compliment to Mr.. Simmons
and declared that high seat in heaven
would be reserved for him on account
of the good things he had done for the
citizen soldier in peace and in war.
One of thefeatures of the evening
was a short speech by General Wink
Ter, who had been the Colonel of the
Goth Wisconsin during the battles of
Gettysburgs- and Ressaca. General
Wink1er, OH behalfIof the soldiers of
the State thanked Mr.. Simmons for
the many k;ndnesses which he had
done for the soldiers and their
families.
With the speech of General Wink1er,
one ofsthe members of the 10th told
the story of the battle of Gettysburg
and brouglltIout the part which the
General had taken in the conflict. He
told of how when three shots had been
fired through the. ha of the General he
simply removed the0hat and took a
look at. the holes and, putting it on
again, ordered his boys to the charge.
After the speech of General Wink1er
Miss Lilly, Runa1s, always a favorite
with the G. A. r. boys, recited "Sheri-
dams Ride.'' She was heartily en-
cored and.responded with James Whit
comb Ri1ey's "O1d Glory" Comrade
Bentley, of. the Milwaukee post, was
called for and responded with "What
Did TheIPrivates Dor" After few
songs led by Comrade Starkweather,
of Milwaukee, the veterans were served
with supper. and later With three rous-
ing cheers for Mr.. Simmons, they re-
turned to their hon1es.
Mr.. Simmons was assisted in enter
tanning by his daughters, Mrs. Lance
and Mrs. Towne, and by Mesdames T..
E. Remer, G. M. Simmons, E. H. Hol-
lister, and Misses Stevens, Elizabeth
Simmons and Edith Brown.
The members of the out of town
posts attending the reunion were:
Commander Louis Sho1es, Gen. +.
C. Wink1er, Capt. E. r. Stillman,
Jerome Johnson, Rev. Judson Tits
worth, Wads H. Richardson, Chas.
Richardson, F. A. Walsh, H. G. Rog-
ers, DIR. w. J. Cronyn, nj. Daily, E. X.
Winter, J.,.F. Bacon, A. P. Foster, w.
J. Denny. H.s'A. Valentine, w. II.
Sando1b, j. G. Moe, Henry Fink, F. j.
Refs, w. H. Starkweather, Ferd. A.
Wilde, c. A. Bentley, J. P. Rumble,
Chas. A. Carter, all of Milwaukee, and
J. C. LIENS, Commander c. W. Mills,
J. Cooper, J. C. Beodker, r. B. Lang,
H. C. Van Vechten, of Racine.