Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-12
WOMAN'S DAY AT REUNION
Have Entire Charge Of the Program Dur
ing the AftsrnsSn.
IMMENSE CROWD VISITS HASTINGS
Double Attraction of the &. A. II. and
Circus Draws Fifty Thou
sand Visitors TO
the City.

egram.)-Fully $4,000 people visited the
anual state reunion of the Grand Army of
the Reupblic here today. all incoming
trains we're crowded far beyond their seat
ing capacity and several special trains on
the B. & NJ. we're run into the city. One
Of the big attractions on the grounds was
Ringlings' circus. Regardless OF the i'm
mense crowd everything about Camp sher-
man went OF smoothly. without a hitch
in any of the proceedings.
A few light fingered individuals were on
the grounds and relieved several people
Of their money and valuables. George
Monroe OF Hansen was one of the victims
This morning found an immense crowd
Of people upon the reunion grounds and at
the opening Of the camp FIVE OF the large
pavilions were crowded. Captain Henry
was the first speaker and the close atten-
tion accorded him testified to the interest
Of the audience After some martial music
by the drum corps, Comrade Armstrong Of
Fairbury recited "The Boys in Blue" He
was followed by Congressman Shallen-
berger whose words we're a pleasant ming
ling Of wit and patriotism. This concluded
the morning exercises.
WON IN Take Charge.
At 1:SO the program prepared by the
Women's Relief Corps was opened by a
band concert followed by singing Amer
ica." Rev. T. c. Hunt of Hastings offered
an earnest prayer. Mrs. Ada F. Hess in
few we'll chosen words, welcomed the
Women's Relief Corps to our city. Mrs.
Julius S. Brown, past department presi-
dent of the Nebraska Women's Relief
Corps, then introduced the department
president, Mrs. A. J. Kenny Of Blair. to
whom the audience gave close attention.
Mrs. Kenny said in part:
The women's Relief Corps as national
society was organized to meet the direct
need and in response to the most piuful
appeal that ever fell upon human ears.
When the first call to arms was Issued
by the commander-in-chiefa and 1900 men
were mustered into service there was a
vacancy created in almost that number OF
homes. Bread winners were taken, workers
laid down implements of labor and took up
the implements OF war with the full con-
sent of the women left behind. There was
no shirking from duty, no thought of self
and ease. With as much patriotism and
courage ns any man. women fell into line
dering a musket they shouldered the new
burdens with patience and courage. More
men were called upon to take up arms. and
this meant more homes desolated. And
later when the cries of the wounded and
dying men fell upon the ears Of the women
as call to them, a pleading for help, with
hearts sore and sad they responded.
She then gave history of the organiza-
tion of the Grand Army of the Republic
and also OF the organization of the
Woman's Relief corps and closed by telling
OF the great, work yet to be done by this
woman's organization.
EuIOEizes the Soldiers.
Miss NJ Belle Ram of Hastings rendered
Mighty Like a Rose" in a very happy
manner. Lieutenant Governor Steele. the
commander of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public, then gave a very complimentary
address, eulogiZing the Women's Relief
Corps for the great work it is doing in
cheering and encouraging the Grand Army
of the Republic posts. Miss Lucia Dillen-
beck one of the we'll known elocutionists
of Hastings, gave an excellent rendition
of "Old Daniel Gray" Marching Through
Georgia" was then sung by the audience
after which Mrs. Mayme II. Cleaver Of
Neigh gave a stirring, patriotic address,
starting with the colonization of this coun-
try by the Anglo-SaXon. race, tracing their
progress through the years. touching upon
their shaking OF the shackles of Britain's
oppression, the audience was led to the firing
upon Old Glory at Fort Sumter. The ter
rble four years of civil war were then
dwet upon and glowing eulogy paid TO
the brave defenders who saved the union
from dividing During this war the women
OF the country were not idle, but we're
ever at hand to wipe the death damp from
the brow Of the wounded hero and attend
the wants Of their dependent ones at home.
Mrs. Cleavers address was we'll received.
Miss Dillenbeck gave another recitation,
which was heartily encored.
Mrs. Mary r. Morgan gave a spirited
address in answer to the question, "Is
az
Morgans words opened new line Of
thought, inasmuch as she spoke OF the war
as it must have appeared to southern
women. With regret she noted that II had
not taught them a lesson of loyalty. as a
monument is now being built in Richmond.
Va. to the memory of jefferson Davis, and
with a strange inconsistency upon one
corner OF this monument appears the
word loyalty" In a reference to con-
gress Mrs. Morgan exclaimed: "If in con-
gress there Is one man who is not loyal
and patriotic, It is a disgrace to those who
sent him there" She disposed Of the
Philippine question in this wise: THE
Philippines are like an unwelcome child.
What shall we do with them? Turn them
over to stepmother, England, or some other
country? No, we have had them forced
upon our hands and we have TO take care
OF them" tribute to the memory Of Paul
vandervoort and an appeal to the patriot
ism Of all present closed this interesting
address.
General A. " Cole, past department
commander Of the Grand Army o. the Re-
public and commandant OF the Soldiers
home at Grand Island, was introduced.
Too Many Outside Attractions.
General Cole deprecated the fact that so
many outside attractions are introduced at
their soldiers reunions. For nineteen years
he has been defending and aiding the ef-
forts OF the Womens Relief Corps. He
considers that this order is entitled to
the credit OF maintaining the Grand Army
OF the Republic at this time, as the soldiers
are growing old and stand in need OF the
aid and sympathy which this auxiliary so
freely bestows.
Mrs. Bowen then thanked the audience
for it's attention and the meeting adjourned
Among the past department commanders
| in attendance at the reunion are: S. F. Al
eXander OF Lincoln, Captain Culver OF Mil
ford, A. V. Cole OF Grand Island. w. c.
Henry OF Geneva, Captain c. z. Adams OF
Superior. J. z. Evans OF North Platte
John Reese Of Broken Bow. Robert Wilcox
OF Omaha. Every one OF the past depart
ment commanders gave his assistance and
i