Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-23

& o. and Ohio River roads run special
trains. Visitors came over the B. & o.
from points as far remote as Martins
burg. and particularly large crowds
from Weston, Clarksburg, Grafton,
Fairmont and Warrington. The Ohio
River excurslonists came from all
points along the river down to the
southern terminus of the road.
The National Guard encampment at
Woodsdale was the Mecca for the vlsi-
tors, but many of them despairea OF
reaching Camp. Curtin and spent the
day in the city, while others did so
from choice. the excursion rates en-
abling them to crafty their cherished
ambitions to view the sights In the
States metropolis. The visitors were
fine looking, we'll dressed and well be-
haved, typical West Vi1g.nians and
credit to the State.
j, When the trains emptied their
coaches at the depots the crowds
swarmed through the streets in ire
business district. and the cafes and
lunch rooms had more business than
they could have accommodated with
five times the number Of walters.
1t was a Rid Letter day for the
Wheeling & Elm Grove railroad. This
line afforded the only means Of reach
ing the camp. superintendent Wright
had placed all the ears N the barn IN
service, and did all within his power
TO handle the crowd. If the VS. tors
had been distributed during the after
noon no trouble would have been ex-
perleHesd, but 1t was not so. IAey
came by scores. in droves, ana
l.t3Taliy packed the cars. One conduc-
f1d a Register man that his reg
lister showed 175 fares out and 145 in,
on one trip He said that All the other
cars were similarly crowded. The yisi-
tors were good natured in spite of the
unavoidable delays in reaching Camp
Curtin. and while they fought to get
on the ears, there Was no disorder.
The resident population resofted to
strata gem to reach the grounds. Hun
dreds walked out into the East End to
meet the incoming cars, some going as
far as McColloch street. AS result
they were all well filled when they
reached Twelfth street, ald after leay-
irg Goetze's corner standing room was
at premium.
Some of the visitors who had friends
In camp among the soldiers, abandoned
the effort to reach them via the ". e.
G. road, and secured rigs from the diff
ferent nveries. Others brively az
ceutsd the inevitable, and walked out
arriving at the camp tired and sore
Hundreds went through the Hempfeld
tunnel or over the Peninsula hill, both
shortcut routes to the camp.
Never in the history Of the National
Guard OF the State were such busy
: scenes enacted in camp. Never before
ere there so many visitors. 1t would
krcely be an exaggeration to say that
lore people visited Camp Curtin yes
ter6ay, than have ever visited the
Guard during an entire encampment
heretofore.
The exercises of the day were few
and it was perhaps fortunate that 1T
was so, as the company and regimental
streets and brigade headquarters were
literally congested with humanity
throughout the afternoon, and it would
have been impracticable to carry out
the daily routine in such a throns.
The visitors inquired Immediately
upon reaching camp for the headqusr-
tiers Of companies whose members We're
friends or acquaintance. This served
TO distribute the crowd and it was not
concentrated at any one point except
during guard mount at nine o'clock in
the morning, and brigade drill at four
in the afternoon.
The visitors thronged the streets,
and stood in groups about the tents.
They were hearty handshakes glad
to-see-yous,' ah- inquiries about
friends at home. Then there came in
evitably an invitation to mess with the
soldiers, which hundreds accepted viii
ifngly if not eagerly. At noon and at
six O'Clock there were visitors at az
the messes, the ladies being the more
numerous. The gallant officers and
privates provided sleirs for lady vis-
tors, and there were groups in front OF
half the tents. They inspected IT,.
equipment with critical eyes. and were
particularly interested in the bed
clothing, and the culinary department
Il was great day for the soldiers
The meanest private in the camp had
lady to escort about the grounds
Some of the married men wee visited
by their wives. Many OF the strangers
brought baskets Of fruits and deIieacie.