The National tribune., 1901-10-03
VETERANS AT CAMP WAENER.
A Success Reunion OF Southeastern Kan.
sas Comrades.

Southwestern Kansas has just had one of
the most successful Old-sOldier Reunions ever
held in Kansas. Dodge City, Ford County,
was the scene of the Reunion The immense
park the south side Of the city was the
camp ground, and an ideal place for the pur-
pose. 1t was named Camp Warner, in honor
of Past Commander-in-Chief Warner, who II
years ago Helped to secure Fort Dodge and
the military reservation five miles distant
for the purpose Of a State Soldiers Home.
Gen. Warner was the guest Of the city and
made a splendid old-soldier talk.
The prime movers in the Reunion prepara-
tons were Capt. d. L. Sweeney, formerly
Commander Of the Fort Dodge Soldiers
Home. and now Deputy Revenue Collector
ton; Capt r. NJ Painter, Of Meade City:
Col. Jesse Shaw. Of Dodge; Judge Ed. Madi-
son, of Dodge; Col. John Beaver, OF Jetmore,
Kan; Col. Mike Sutton. Revenue Collector;
Mayor Summersby. of Dodge City; Col. n.
b. Klaine, OF the Dodge Globe Republican,
and Mr.. Petilleon, OF the Dodge City Demo
crat- Lewis Relief Corps, Of Dodge, helped
materially in the entertaining Of the guests
in a handsomely decorated tent just opposite
the big Reunion tent, which had seats for
5000 people, and was full most Of the time
The ladies. who were untirlng In their efforts,
were Mrs Mary <. Pope. Mrs. Laura Fasig.
Mrs. Aleinder Wing, Mrs. Nettie Beattie, and
Mrs. HobbIe.
Over 1000 people attended the Reunion,
veterans, Ohio and Illinois having the most
old soldiers.
The park is magnihcently wooded with all
variety OF trees set out about 20 years ago,
and the quarter section of land on which the
park stands is bounded on the south by the
Arkansas River. Hundreds of veterans their
families and friends camped right on the
grounds in tents, and the big camp fires at
night made strangely realistic soldier scene.
Among the many prominent speakers were
Gov. Stanley, Department Commander Nor
ton, Gen. William Warner, Judge Madison,
Congressman Chester l. Long, Col. Samuel
Nj aiDta for
Fred Dumont. Smith and Noftzger, Judge T.
B. Wall, and Judge Milton.
The Campfres were probably the most en-
joyable Of all, and jolly repartee and story
Col Jerry Shaw, Capt. ID. l.. Sweeney, Capt.
James p. WorreIl, Col. C. L. Roughten, Sec
rotary Of the Association Arment, and a
hundred Others.
Miss Myrtle Gray, the Daughter of the
Reunion" a charming young lady and fluent
speaker, and Mrs. Isabel Worrell Ball were
the only women speakers.
One evenings program was prepared en-
tirely by the Meade County people, who
brought their own band with them, and a
score OF mighty pretty gir:s. who gave a
beautiful flag drill in costume. Little Rosa
Rhodes. 4 tot Of six years, captured the
hearts of the old soldiers and everybody else
with her magnificent Evolutionary powers;
all her selections were to suit the occasion,
ladies were chnperoned by Mrs. Wherle, Mrs.
Roberts, and Mrs. Painter of Meade
The Hodgeman County camp had another
bevy Of pretty girls, who were looked after
by Mrs. John Beaver
Singing of old war songs In the Reunion
tent filled the intermissiOn between pro-
grams. Not many of the veterans can sing,
but they can make a noise. and they like It.
fife and drum corps of three war veterans
and three little boys from the Soldiers Home
walked ancient echoes on every occasion and
set feet to going. There Is something about
fife and drum that appeals Instantly to old
soldiers.
The Reunion lasted four days and the
weather being ideal there was not a minute
of it that was not most enjoyable.
Capt. ID. l.. Sweeney. who is a host In
himself, was reelected President and Dodge
again selected as the Reunion city Seven
Counties Joined the Association this year. and
preparations have already begun for next
years entertainment. The citizens of Dodge
furnished all the necessaries of life for the
campers in the park as well as tents and
forage for the horses. Its royal hospitality
was thoroughly enjoyed, and in no instance
was 1t betrayed.