Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-09-19

under the favor of God. will be re-
stored. 1t is fit that we should NEE.
IN surroundings of this great occasion
and gathering and with the aid of his
surviving comrades in arms give ex-
preston to the JOY which fills our
hearts. Fear has been changed 10
hope, sorrow to joy, and a great peo-
pie DOW in reverent thankfulness in
this deliverance. The regret that he
cannot be with his comrades upon this
great historic occasion. is as much
felt upon his part as it is upon yours
His first real experience in life, break
ing upon his college days, was with
the Grand Army of the Republic. Who
shall say that in the duties, hardships
and privations of that service, the
foundations of a great character may
not have been securely laid He be-
longed to that noble regiment which
has given to the country another
president, great general and a jus
! tice OF the supreme court of the Unit
! ed States.
! Upon the authority of one of his
| comrades, we have an incident which
showed even in those early days. the
| qualities which have made him equal
| to the great occasions with which
his career has been crowded. When
General Early had attacked the fed
eral army near Winchester and driven
it back, William Mckinley, riding
| through Winchester with General
Hayes, his chief, noted at the roadside
an old lady down whose face tears of
sympathy were flowing at what she
believed to be a great disaster to the
union arms. The young officer drew
up his horse and said to her:
Cheer up; have no fear. We shall
be back this way again"
I'm few days the prophecy was
| made true and the victorious army Of
the union swept back through Win.
chester, driving the enemy from the
| Shenandoah valley. These great
traits, kindness of heart, and conf
dence in his cause, have ever been
characteristic of him. Today the
world knows the story of his life and
his place in the history Of the country
and of the world is secure. We re-
Joice that his days of usefulness are
not ended. We rejoice above all
that to the people Of this state, who
have so long known and loved him.
his life remains for our guidance and
comfort. There are many in the audi
ence, who know that no matter how
high he has advanced on fortunes
crowning slope he has ever retained
| those endearing qualities which have
made him, while one of the strongest,
the gentlest of men and the kindest
of neighbors and friends. We may
feel assured that no words of good
cheer will be more welcome On his
journey back to health than those
which come from this gathering of his
friends in this great state and city and
from his old companions in arms. Let
us fervently hope and pray that the
day is not far distant when we NAV
look again on his noble face and feel
anew the pressure of his friendly
hand"
The report of the adjutant general.
F. M. Starrett, showed the total mem
bership June 80, 1901, was 269,5O7 in
6,678 posts. The gains during the
last year were 30,019, and the losses
37,1722 by death 8,166, and by suspen-
sion 1922. The number dropped
from the rolls, having been previously
suspended, was 1922. The numbe2
on the rolls June 80, 1901, including
25,550 suspended, was 295,057.
The states in which there are over
} 1000 members are as follows: Cali
fornia and Nevada, 1872, Colorado an
Wyoming 2,117, Connecticut 4,597,
Illinois 22,132, Indiana 1883, Iowa
1888, Kansas 1881, Kentucky 1858,
Maine SAL, Maryland 2,528, Mas
sachusetts 1867, Michigan 1864,
Minnesota GLIB, Missouri 1906, Ne
braska 1888, New Hampshire 1891,
New Jersey 5,373, New York so 145,
Ohio 25,111, Pennsylvania 1856, Yer
mont 1868, Washington and Alaska
2,501, Wisconsin $3.50.
The amount expended for relief dur
ing the year was $119,326 Referring
to the southern memorial fund the AI-
jutant general said: "The import
ance of aiding our comrades of the
southern states and their successors
in the important object lesson of plac-
ing the flag of the union on the graves
of our fallen, lying in national AMI
other cemeteries of that section On
memorial day. each year, for all time
to come, urges us to adopt the best
method towards securing that end"
The report of August brahms, cha)-
lain in chief, showed that 2,749 posts
| observed memorial day services,
92,700 Of the comrades participating,
as did 1904 Womens Relief corps
with 1860 members The number
of cemeteries visited was 1886 and
the number of graves decorated 312.-
846. The public schools participating
were 1906, and the number of pupils
278,286. Other organizations which
took part in the ceremonies numbered
1926.