The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-09
lWOG.A.R.PRESENIS
A Watch for Gen. Ell Torrance and
a Ring for His as
Wife. 81 ss
A Pleasant Episode Of the Encamp-
u. ~ ment at Convention Hall
Last Night.

Fro,,s The Journal Bureau, Room. 10. -Poa
Building, WasFtn0toss. ttT''es ~ 80 s - &,
Washington, Oct. 9.-The convention
hall last evening was unexpectedly made
the scene Of one of the prettiest episodes
attending the encampment. Amid the
confusion Of voices which Immediately
followed the closing of the first Of the
series Of receptions held by the woman g
patriotic organizations. Barry Bullkley,
secretary of the citizens executive COM
mittee, managed to make himself heard in
an appeal for order.
"Just a moment" called Mr.. Buckley,
land then you may resume your conVersa-
ton. General Brakeman has. just told me
that something Is about to happen and
that quiet Is essential to it's success. He
has refused. however, to tell me what it
is, so I resign in his favor trusting that
he will explain
General A. Noel Brakeman, chief of staff
to General Torrance and Grand Marshal
Of the veterans parade of yesterday, ad-
vanced and stood directly in front of
General Torrance. Addressing the COM
mander-in in chief, General Blake said:
1T is not on behalf Of myself thatsI am
speaking but In the name Of hundreds. ]
have the extreme honor Of having been
selected by members of your staff and
aides numbering in all ovor 800 for the
performance Of what may not be termed
1--WE who have served with you and un-
der you,r we who know you not from yes
terday but from the years that have
passed, love you for your acts Of kind
ness consistent generosity: Both as a
man and soldier you have endeared your
self to all who have been favored with
your association. m BY subscription from
love as we'll Of dollars, we have purchased
little token Of our high regard and es-
teem-a token which we trust will not
only fill an ornamental and useful func-
ton, but will serve an ever-constant re-
hinder of the love that has inspired it
General Torrance, in, behalf Of your staff
and aides 1t gives me pleasure to pre-
sent to you this gift of love-
General Brakeman handed to General
Torrance small black jewel case, which
on being opened disclosed a beautiful gold
watch with chain and charm attached.
General Torrance was deeply moved and
his reply was scarcely audible. He ex-
pressed his sincere thanks and apprecia -
ton, but assured General Brakeman that
no gift was necessary to convince him OF
the true loyalty and friendship and love
Of those with whom he had served.
This is good and kind Of YOU" said
the commander-in chief, land I will cher
iisl it-always, first for the sentiment with
which 1t is laden and secondly for its
own great beauty. Again I thank you
from the bottom OF my heart l. >-.....; 3:
Following this little speech Of General
Torrance, General Brakeman again
stepped forward and handed the COM
mander-in-chief another small box, which
he said had been givenShim and he knew
Of no better. way to dispose of it than
sending it along with the, watch. Gen
eral Brakeman added, however, that We're
it his he believed he would give it to his
best girl unopened. s>.-~ i
Acting quickly on the suggestion Gen
eral Torrance turned and handed the sec
ond box to his wife. 1t contained beau
| tiful solitaire diamond ring bearing on thu
| inside the inscription, ITO A. M. T. from
the G. A. r. yS ii
1T is very seldom that my wife asks
! me to talk for her." said General, Tor
rance, but she does so on this occasion. >
and the general briefly but appropriately
| thanked the donors.
! The generals friends then crowded
about him and got glimpse of the pres
| ent. The watch is of Tiffany make, oper
face and a repeater. Though simple il
| is rich and on the inner case is inscribed
| Presented to General Ell: Torrance, Com
mander-in- Chief Grand Army of the Re.
public, Washington, Oct.zS 1902 On the
| outside of the case is elegantly engraved
| the monogram ''E. IT, #s:
RawIlns' Idea Copied.
Imitation is the sirrcerest f1attery. Two
years ago at the Chicago encampment
John A.. Rawlins post, Minneapolis was
the only post in the grand parade whicr
: did not wear distinctively Grand Army
uniforms. The Minneapolis people will
! remember what a sensation the post ere
ated at that encampment by it's fine 'ap
peaTance and soldierIy bearing. Last veal
it repeated it's Chicago success at Cleve
land and this year won another triumph
| at Washington.
Meanwhile, however, the significance o
the Rawlins uniform idea began to per
colate through the minds of othe
"crack'' Grand Army posts Of the. coun
try, among them the Lafayette post o
New York, Detroit post Of Detroit, tn
Columbus of Chicago and the Army ant
Navy post of Cleveland. It is interesting
to note that in the parade yesterday
these posts and others wore uniform
copied closely after the Rawlins plan. TIL
New York Sun to-day says the Lafayette
post made the, best appearance of anybod.
in the parade, and then describes it's uni
form as white duck trousers, neat blu
blouses and blue caps, with low vizors''