The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29

Dallas. Texas. April 25.-The last ses-
sion OF the United COME lerase
Veterans reunion was called &c order
today by the commander-in-chief, John
B. Gordon Chaplain Jones being alb
sent General Gordon led in prayer
4 resolution bidding Gordon "a low
ing farewell" was adopted with cheers
General Gordon said in response:
MY Comrades. l have been touched
many times. and every year this old
confederate heart grows more tender
and loving as the end appro3 ches.
When the end comes 1 want your hands
to bury me and on my tomb I would
have written Here lies a confederate"
a vote of thanks was given TO Dallas
and the state of Texas for their hospi.
tally. to which Colonel Slaughter,
president of the Texas reunion associa.
ton. responded. He was given three
cheers.
General Gordon embraced the oppor-
tunity 20 make another plea for the
to Southern Women.
1t was a day of parting and the ques-
NASb- oiAo a. W. II e0aAAip
vas heard from many lips and many
an aged head shook d~ubiously in an
swer. Yet the day was not given over
to the sorrow of parting entirely
Every effort was made by the c)mmit-
tee in charge to onset the gloom Which
II was Known would come whea good
byes were said. BANDS p.ayed as they
never = played before. : and
The bonnie Blue Flag" nuaopoilzad
The programme in the auditorium wner
n convention was being held.
To embrace the attractions for tbs
.aSt day a feast unique in the history
Il reunions WaS prepared. Six buffalo
1rought from a ranch famous among
Cattle-men the country over, were mad,
martyrs to the cause of 4 southern
barbecue. Yesterday six immense pit!
were dug and as many heapinS beds o
Goals produced under the direction o.
an expert in the barbecue business
All night long the immense carcasse.
slowly roasted and it was noon befor,
the exacting taste of the chef was sat
isfied. The carcasses had been roasted
for thirty-siX hours and were done t
a turn. An immense crowd witnessed
the cooking n a watery lot OF mouth
opened VIXEN the meat fresh from TN,
Goals was brought in.
All day long the streets were crowded
with people going to the depot. Freigh
trains were held on distant sidings t
allow of the freest possible moyenen
OF the passenger trains.
Before tomorrow morning the grea,
est crowd ever entertained in sae hiA
tory of Dallas will have dwindIed to
Few thousands. Little complaint wa
heard. Many had suffered some incon
ven1ence and discomfort. but it is be
lieved to have been no fault of the me
in charge of the eunion.
An estimate of the number of visitor
is practically impossible, but the bes
judgment places the number betwee
125. 900 and $50. 600. An average of IL
600 meals d day has been served at til
mess tables of Camp Johnston and thi
average was but slightly reduced toda
owing to the fact that many specit
guests were allowed to partake of tn
buffalo meat.
M1ss1sSippians held a reception dul
Ing the day at the camp. Among til
, were Ex-Governor Robert v
: Lowry. of Jackson: General S. ID. lie
OF Vicksburg; ex-Congressman Patric
/ Henry. Of Brandon; General b.
White. Of Meridian; Judge John I
Rogers. of Fort Smith. Ark, and pr
] vate" John Allen, of Tupelo.
{ General Gordon was called away t,
: night and left on a late train for HON
General Norman, the adjutant gel
= eral, however, will remain TO write IL
= inal orders, the chief one of which w
be an expression Of thanks to the pc
: pie Of Texas and of Dallas particular
G Before leaving tonight the gener
: said to an Associated Press represent;
e tive:
1T was a marvellous spectacle to vi
: ness, forty years after the war, the d
votion manifested by these old confe
crates, may thousands of whom we
: fed and furnished with sleeping bert
. during the whole time without n dc
: lars cost to themselves. The whole a
= fair was a marvel Of successful ma
agement, Of good order n generosity