The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-25

ton o: the fact that the srortgrass -
union can be the best in tire state, if an
attempt be made TO make it so.
Eight years ago seven men from the
short grass country organized the South
west Kansas Veterans association. Among
the principal men in this organization
were r. n Pointer Of Meade and Uncle
Dan Woodman of Haskell. Today they
confess they do not know or recognize
theri creation. Originally restricted to
Meade. Haskell and Stevens counties.
Kansas, and Beaver county, Oklahoma,
the association now includes all the short
grass counties OF southwest Kansas
Nearly every man knows his comrade and
there is that brotherly feeling between
the men which permeater the entire short
grass section. This makes the reunion
successful.
Representative Chester ]. Long address
ed the reunion Wednesday afternoon An
immense tent used on the ground for the
purpose was not sufficient to hold the
soldiers, their families and others inter
ested. The Seventh district representa-
tive made a good speech. He talked OF
patriotism, of pensions, extolled General
Grant and told the veterans it was on
their account that this country had gain
ed its prestige and power in the councils
of the nations Had they rot saved the
union from DISBURSEMENT in 1873, it
never would have been possible to have
the strong, reunited splendid nation which
had achieved so much during and as a
result OF the war with Spain. To the
soldiers belonged the credit. Mr.. Long
said. and the spirit of what they had done
was manifest in the strength, loyalty and
national spirit of today.
Mr. Long met his soldier friends by
scores and hundreds here. When he
was not speaking, they sought him out
at his hotel or wherever ne might be.
They discussed their old days OF war;
asked his assistance in their pension mat
tiers; talked politics with him; praised his
speech and his record-hobnobbed with
him in that spirit of comradeship which
they manifest for the Seventh district
representative everywhere and at all
times.
Judge T. B. Wall OF Wichita made d
happy little speech Wednesday afternoon
pened to be in Dodge City in 4 bankrupt
cy proceeding and was prevailed on to
make a talk at the reunion grounds.
Judge Wall is = pleasing speaker and
greatly interested the soldiers.
Senator Thomas A. Naftzger of the 37th
district and Senator Fred Smith of Kins-
ley were two excellent speakers of the
week. Senator Naftzger took occasion
in his bright, short way TO reply TO
previous speaker who has waved the
bloody shirt" Naftzger believed this
wrong in these reunited days, and did
not spare his adversary.
Major William Warner of Kansas City,
formerly national commander of the G.
a r. and member of congress, spoke
Thursday. Governor Stanley and Jerry
Simpson did also. All made good talks.
Judge S. P. Peters was among old
friends all the week Years ago he cam
paigned all over the short grass country
and knows personally these old veterans
whom he addressed on Wednesday. He
was enthusiastically received by the vet
Grams. who hope to see him become COM
missioner of pensions.
Dodge City men made its visitors at
home this week. They worked hard co
make it pleasant for the strangers. Cap
tain D. S. Sweeney. L. J. Pettijohn.
Mike Sutton, Judge Madison and Post
master J. a. Arment were the leaders in
the reception business and they perform
ed their duties creditably.
r. H. FAXON.