The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-19
GRAND ARMY
MOVEMENT
Merger of Veteran Organize
tons Is Prepared.
ALL POSTS IN COUNTY
May Become One Central
Organization in Wichita.
ALL POSTS IN COUNTY

Last night a movement was initiated tc
consolidate ali the Grand Army organi-
cations Of the county into one body OF
post in this city. ne movement contem-
plates the abandonment Of all local posts
such as the ones at alley. Center, Derby,
GODDARD, Mt Hope. Cheney. Colwich.
Clearwater and Egsleston post Of this
city, leaving Garfield post, which is the
parent organization. DR.. John ". Minich
s. at the head Of the movement. and he
says he viii make it one Of the accom-
Khshments Of his life work.
1t may be nay last work on earth, 3"
said Dr. Brnick to a reporter for the
Tagle yesterday, and if 1 make sue
cess Of it / VIII be satisfied
Captain Kirk, who was with Dr.. A1inich
when he made the statement, expressed
his opinion that a merging of all the posts
Fl the county into one would result in
much good, and he thought the people are
prepared for a movement such as the one
Or. Minick proposes.
Now it appears the attendance is very
slim at post meetings, and that the mem
beTship is thinning out so fast that the
maintenance of a post in small places
f. a hardship on the members. DR..
1inick cited the fact that there was a
time here when Garfield hail would be
Illed every first meeting night, but that
VOW scarcely dozen members attended.
The veterans are growing old, and they
cannot attend as often, especially in the
winter season, as they did when they
were fifteen years younger.
I cannot see any sense in having so
many Grand Army organizations in the
city" said DR.. Mnick We have Garfield
md Eggleston posts, the Union Veterans
union and the Sons Of Veterans among
the male organization in this city, all pay
ing rent; whereas if they merged. one
hail one set of furniture. one stove and
one lighting system would do them all.
we would then have bigger meetings, and
we would be of more mutual benefit TO
on another. Then there are the ladies'
o. ganizations-the Relief Corps. the
Ladies aid society. the Ladies Of the @.
A r., and the Union Veteran union and
society. They could and should also
merge their organizations and come in
with US.
Would il be your policy" asked the
reporter, TO keep the hall of the greater
consolidated organization open al day and
eli night. well heated and lighted. and
provided with reading matter-In fact to
maintain IN old soldiers club room such
a. our social clubs do?"
THAT would be a good idea said DR..
Ninick, "a capital idea. We old soldiers
could 60 there and read or play whist or
dominoes and have a good time. Then,
again. when our old comrades from the
country come in they VIII have some
place to make headquarters at while here.
I believe my idea can be worked out and
elaborated until it becomes a great boon
fol the old soldiers. 1 don't know but
what 1t could be worked out so that
WREN old soldiers wives from the country
Gene in. a place can be maintained for
them to enjoy themselves while here
The idea was introduced more formally
b. DR. Minick at the Womans Relief
Corp meeting last night, and it met with
favor among DR. NIinicks friends to
whom it was mentioned.
In a day or two it viii be more fully
developed.