Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-29
REPORT ON c. A. R.
Captain Cousins, of Council Bluffs
Complies Complete Statistics.
MEMBERSHIP IN STATE 1920

MEMDEhO1lf IN OlhiE lO,A19
Records Show 1872 Posts in lowa-or-
ganization Has Grown During Re-
cent Years Despite the Hand of
Death-The First Complete Report.
| For the first time in the existence of
the Grand Army of the Republic in
Iowa, there will be a complete report
4 of the condition of the organization
made at the annual reunion which is
to be held in Des Moines in May.
Although the number of veterans of
| the civil war is growing less every
year, the fact that there are now 1928
members of the order in Iowa indicates
that there will yet be several more re-
unions before the noble body OF men is
dissolved. Captain L. B. Cousins. OF
Council Bluffs, who is member of the
staff of Department Commander
George Metzger, of Des Moines, has, af-
ter much hard work, compiled this re-
port, which will be heard with much
interest by every veteran who at
tends the reunion at Des Moines.
4 Captain Cousins report shows that
there were 3S2 G. A. R. posts in Iowa
for the year ending June 80, 1901, the
period of the record just completed,
and he has secured full statistics from
j each one of these posts. This task
might appear comparatively easy one
to those not in touch with G. A. R. con.
ditions, but a short reflection on the
age of the veterans and the fact that
/ the G. A. R. posts are gradually pass.
ling of existence. will explain some
of the difficulties in getting reports
I from the old soldiers, many Of whom
are now invalldS.
Beats Former Reco,ds.
AT the last state encampment r. S.
Rathburn, of Clinton. who was the de,
partment inspector for that year, re-
ported that he had been advised of the
condition of all but eighty of the Iowa
posts. and this was considered re
markedly complete report. CAPTAIN
Cousins passed Inspector Rathburn's
record several weeks ago, and then he
determined to secure a report from
every post in the state. In order to dc
this, however, he had to make persona,
trips after the desired documents
which some of the old soldiers were
too weak and feeble to make out.
The last of the reports came in
from the post at Massena in Cass
county. few days ago, but Captain
!, Cousins went there himself to get it
:, having failed to arouse response by
repeated letters. Captain Cousins has
now completed the statistical part O.
his report and is well proud of the fac
that the figures represent every pos
in the state.
1929 G. A. r. Veterans.
The figures were compiled by Cap
tain Cousins from the answers which
each post made to the following lis
J of eighteen questions concerning thu
membership and condition. AS before
:. stated. these answers are from ever.
one of the 1872 posts in the state. Thu
l replies to the post membership CUES
ton show that the Iowa department Q
the G. A. R. had 1929 members il
good standing on June 80, 1901
$ Though this cate is nearly year age
= it is the period covered by the presen
s inspector. The next inspector will
cover the year ending June 80, 1902
This date is set in order to give the in
0 spector and other officials nearly
: year in which to prepare their reports
! which has been shown to be necessary
Statistics of Iowa Department.
a The questions which Department 1r
: spector Cousins submitted to eac
a post in the state during the last veal
y and which were fully answered are a
/, follows, the figures of the answers giN
" en- being the totals for the entire DE-
: partment
a Is the work in the ritual properly e1
= emplified?-Yes, $50; no, So.
Are the officers and guards uniform
> ed and equipped ?-Yes, 81; no, 1923.
;, Are the officers regular in attend
" ance?-Yes, 800; no, 62.
. Are the members regular in thei
. atten iance?-Yes 251; no, 131.
= Are the records complete and we
= kept?-Yes, 371; no, II.
y Are orders received regularly, rea
to the post and placed on file?-Ye
= 35s; no, "a.
: Have all reports and dues been TO
. warded? Yes. 81; no 1916.
How much money was in the relic
fund June 80, 1900?-S3,279.46.
Amount expended for relief frol
% June 30, 1900, to June 30, 1901, 81
- 764.58.
. Amount remaining in relief fun
= : June 80, 1901, $3,094.69.
=, Amount of money and securities i
g hands Of quartermaster, June 80, 100
: $21 ,87S.65.
Value of other property owned b
y the posts June 80, 1901, $64,O14O2.
. Is there any auxiliary organizatio
connected with the post?-Yes, 23s
e no, $50.
I'll Is there camp Of Sons of vete
- ans ?-Yes, As; no, 337.
y What are the prospects of the posi-
Good, 149; fair, 1876; poor, 107
* Loss of Seven Posts.
o. Ten posts passed out Of existenc
during the year of Captain Cousin
report and three new posts We're o
le ganized, a total loss of seven from tn
IN $50 posts in the state as reported L
t. the preceding departmental inspecto
S, The dead posts are as follows: N
or IA, Humes post, What Cheer; No. II
k Whinnery post, De Soto; No. 232,