Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-10-09
VETERANS PARADE,
The March Yesterday the Climax
Of the G. A. R. Encampmsnt.
over FIVE HOURS PASSING STAND.
Al Least Twenty Five Thousand Veterans
In Line and They Marched Along with .
Good strlde--President Roosevelt
Driven Down the Line.

Washington, Oct. s.--For more than
six hours yesterday the people in
Washington hummed the chorus OF
the civil war song, tramp, Tramp,
Tramp, the Boys Are Marching" and
for an equal time the veterans con-
shutting the Grand Army Of the Re-
public made good their claim. The
parade was the climax of the thirty
sixth encampment of their order.
The occasion was in every way
worthy of the Grand Army and the
parade did not fail appropriately to
denote the spirit of the war and the
memory of the glorious achieve
ments the army seeks to keep green
in the minds of the American people.
Beginning at few minutes past
ten o'clock, when the head of the
column moved from its station at
the capitol, it was almost five o'clock
when the last squad in the line had
passed the place of disarmament
west of the white house. None OF
the soldiers were marching any great
part of the time, for the entire line
of march did not exceed 21s miles In
length, but those who composed the
rear attachments were on their feet
practically all day, much OF the
time being consumed in waiting to
take their places in the line. The
route Of the parade was down his
toric Pennsylvania avenue, along
which many of them marched as raw
recruits in going to the war OF 1862,
and many others on the occasion OF
the grand review after the close OF
the war in 1865. The participants
in the imposing pageant entered with
life and vigor into the spirit OF the
occasion. Each department bore evl-
dence of the joy the experience
brought to the individual, but 1t was
plainly evident that there was In the
occasion much OF the restoration OF
youth for most Of them. The "old
boys for the time being, evidently
were RELYING the days Of their youth
Not many of them exhibited traces
of age in their marching. Almost
without exception they walked along
with a good stride.
II the veterans had needed any
spur to the enjoyment they would
have found It easily in the crowds
who thronged their pathway and In
the smile which Providence bestowed
upon them, for the weather was
perfect. The spectators were limit
ed in numbers only by the capacity
of the broad sidewalks, the stands
the parks, the windows and the
house tops along the line OF marcel
to hold them. The government de
partments and the schools vert
closed for the day and practically
the entire population of Washington
turned out to do honor to the vet
Grams along with 100000 visitors q
the city. The crowd was enthusiastic
and outspoken in admiration, greet
ing every division Of the procession
with cheers and dismissing 1t will
a good speed"
The president Of the United State
also lent his energies to the enter
tainment Of the capitols guests
Unable to endure the strain OF re
viewing the column from q stand h
rose from his reclining chair and ha'
himself driven up and down the line
The unusual interest thus manifesto
was appreciated by the old soldier
and the president was everywhere re
ceived by them with loud applause.
More than Ave hours time wa