The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-10-17

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first stated meeting of the program
Of the reunion. 1t was held in the
court room and was of a semi-private
character, being for onlyIthe old sol
diers and their families and friends.
This was on account of the limited
accommodations that were possible
for the evening. The court room
was crowded so that many of the au-
dience were compelled to stand dur
ing the evening.
The spirit of the campfire was in
the air land all the old boys were
warmed by it to degree that made
possible the best informal campfire
that comes within the memory of
those who participated.
Tuesday had been a day for regis
trationsand meeting of trains. Places
of abode had been assigned to the
visiting veterans and all arrange
ments for the entertainment of guests
had been perfected. The attendance
is the best that has been had at a re-
union in many years. The number is
perhaps no greater but there are
more Iof the sboys from distance
presentsand there are some who have
long been separated from the COM
rades of company and regiment.
Major John F. Lacey, president of
the association, called the campfire
to order shortly after eight O'Clock
and the Schmitt orchestra, which was
present,egave a couple of selections.
W. r. Cowan, ! railroad secretary,
made an announ cement and then Mr..
Burnett sang "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground" Chairman Lacey
introduced Mr.. Il Q Johnson, a
yonngiattorney of the city of Oska-
loosa, iwho made the address of well
come to the veterans on the part of
the people of the city. The gentle
man was brief but to the point. His
words had the effect of making the
old soldiers feel that it was good to
be here.
Major Lacey replied to the welcome
in a manner that expressed the sem
timentsl. of every soldier present.
One of thespoints touched upon was
concerning theInumber of the boys
present at these reunions. This is
the eighth reunion under the assoc:-
alton. In 1882 there were about three
hundred present, about two hundred
and fifty in 1887, and then the boys
began dropping out until today we
note that we have but one hundI ed
and seventy five.
Major Lacey'sItalk was an opening
wedge and every other speaker had
something good to tell.
Colonel Cyrus Mackey, of Sigour-
ney, was on hand and in very excel
lent humor. His spirits were soon
communicated to the entire command
and the ball started.
Captain T. l.. Sewers, of Nevada,
a brother of the late lamented Judge
Sewers, Of this city, was the next
speaker. He was received as long
lost brother and the audience drank
in his words as a drowth stricken
landscape absorbs a shower. The
captain is a good talker and told some
splendid stories.
Captain John N. Martin, of Oska
loosa was called for and responded
with facts and army fiction, 80 some
of the boys said.
Rev. Jacob F. Ryan, of Company o,
now resident of Alva, Nebraska,
separated from his comrades since
1874, was picked out and made to re-
spond and he gave the fellows some
thing to think about.
Oliver Schee, of Kansas City, was
called for, and arose, but stated that
he was too busy listening to take
the time that some other comrade
might occupy.
There was more music by the or
chestra and more vocal selections.
Here and there over the house vol
unteers jumped up and said thing
or two and The pot continued to boil.
The treat was 80 thoroughly enjoyed
that the boys. were loath to depart
from the place but adjournment fl
nally had TO be taken and the meet.
ing came to an end along toward the
later hours.
Everyone was of the opinion that
it had been the best opening camp
fire ever held by the reunion associ-
alton.
Wednesday Morning
There were company socials and
meetings all over town Wednesday
morning. Visiting, one comrade and
one company with another, was in
order andlthe morning was made the
most of by all concerned. The COM
mittee on arrangements had company |
tents erected in the park and the APP |
pearance of the tented field effected |
the old. boys as nothing else could
have done. There was tent for
every company and they were made
use of more or less during the day.
News and Notes
The first thing the boys do upon
coming TO the city is to fall in and
march, to the headquarters at the
court house. 1.-THE registry room is in
the court! house and here they are
recorded in the company roster of the
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