The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-23
THE CONVENTION OF
VETERANS OPENS
At DALLAS
Over 1885, 900 Visitors Gath
er at the Great
Reunion.
THE AUDITORIUM PACKED
Over Eight Thousand People Assemble
to Hear Gordon's
Speech.
THE ARRIVAL OF MUSTAPHA BEN SElIM
Memorial Services Are Held in Memory Of
Jefferson Davis. The United Sons Of
Veterans Will Hold Their
Convention Today.
(By the Associated Press.)

\ Dallas, Texas. April 22.-With the Con-
federate Reunion officially twelve hours
cid and unofficially considerably old, it
is estimated tonight that there are 1885,
600 visitors in Dallas. From early this
morning until late tonight the streets
were thronged and it is said by men in
a position to make close calculations that
there were $4,000 visitors at the camp in
tn efair grounds alone.
The crowd is too large to command"
said Col. Slaughter to an Associated
Perss' representative today. Thousands
who have no right to do SO are sleeping
at the camp and eating at the mess
tables. Some of the old veterans had to
fight for their places but they seemed
to be as capable of a tussle as they were
years ago. We will have affairs better
in hand tomorrow.
An additional influx of visitors is ex-
pected tomorrow, the attraction being
the Kaliphs parade.
Tonight the younger element and many
of the veterans rounded out the days
pleasures with ball at the camp. The
function was given by the sons of vet
Grams and an immense crowd-too great
for comfort-were present.
While thousands of visitors did not
leave the business section of the city,
Camp Johnston two miles distant where
the opening exercises were held, was
crowded to the limit. Delegation after
delegation from the four corners of the
country reported and was assigned to di-
visions in the vas, ity of tents.
was open at 10 o'clock. An army of
cooks and walters worked like beavers
while the veterans. with hunger born
OF night in the open, did their best to
keep the cooks busy.
The convention was compelled to open
with General Gordon, the commander-in
chief, abscrt
Hon. JON NJ. Allen, the orator Of the
day. wag no. present when the convention
began. Governor Sayers and Hon. G. b.
Gerald however, appeared at the last
moment ana were vociferously cheered.
Among those or the stage were Judge
John NJ Reagan, the only surviving men,
her of the Davis Cabinet; w. L. Cabell,
Gen. stephen d. Lee, of New Orleans:
Col. NLee Crandall, who was on ''Stone-
WALL Jackson's staff Miss Lucy Lee
Hill, of Chicago. the sponsor in chief, and
Miss Virginia Paddock, of Fort Worth,
TcXasc, the chief maid of honor.
When the convention opened the vet
Grams, many of them comparing the
bounteous plenty of their breakfasts
with the starvation they were often
called upon to endure the war, were i'm
high humor. The building seating 5000
people, was filled to the topmost row
soon after the convention was called to
order by General K. M. Van Zant, pres
ident of the Texas Reunion Association
From pillar and post hung bunting and
flags and pictures of old Confederate
chieftians. The crowds were composed
net alone of veterans, but of their sons
and wives and daughters. Maids of hon
or and sponsors, some, notably those
from Louisiana, in brass buttons and
Confederate gray, but the majority in
cool white, lent an air of ornamentation
to the scene.
Following the opening of the meeting
by Gen. Van Zandt Chaplain Young, of
Texas, delivered touching invocation.
General Joseph D. Sayers. on behalf
of the State of Texas, then welcomed
the visitors to the State. He was fol-
lowed by Pen f. Cabell. mayor of Dali
las, wEo gave the veterans the freedom
of the city.
G.. B. Gerald, of Waco. welcomed the
visitors to Texas.
At 1:15 p. m, CommanderinC Chief,
Gordon, arrived. The manner of his en-
trance into the vast auditorium was dra-
matte. General Van Zandt had an
nounced that the hoped for presence of
General Gordon had been abandoned and
the meeting had been turned over to
General S. D. Lee. commander of the
army of the Tennessee. General Lee
was in the middle of his speech when a
numbr of voics and stamping feet were
heard from the middle of the hall The
roar grew to thunderous proportions.
and above : AZ could be hoard tho roagic
word "Goricn" a. That name the vet-
erans rose 60 thoig feet.
81 will speak no id Genera
Lee, when tae coala sude. bat a4cended