The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-31
THE CAMP FIRE
A GREAT SUCCESS

AS soon as the parade ended the vet
Grams and their guests marched to
headquarters, and details We're at
once organized for the decoration of the
graves of our soldier dead who lie in
the three cemeteries contiguous to the
city.
The Woman's Relief Corps members
had worked diligently while the post
was observing the public memorial
services, and beautiful array of bou-
quets awaited the comrades who had
cheerfully volunteered to place them on
the mounds which to them are sacred.
Tnder.the energetic direction of Com
mander McComb, squads were on their
way to Maplewood cemetery. the old
Catholic cemetery and st. Rose ceme-
terry All of the other cemeteries had
been looked after on Thursday The
members of each squad performed their
work with celerty because a new flag
had been placed on each grave before
the previous day had closed
To divert the inmates of the hall and
to make the time pass pleasantly. Col
onel McComb opened the campfire at
II o'clock. He started in by saying:
THE duty of today is of impressive
significance. We meet to honor our dead,
and to deepen our reverence for their
worth; to strengthen among ourselves
the bond of fraternity by recalling the
memory of experiences common TO us
all; to encourage more generous char
ity for our comrades who are sick or in
distress, and for the destitute wards
of our Grand Army; to renew our
pledge of loyalty to our country and
our flag, and to emphasize in the minds
and hearts of all who may unite with
us the privilege and duty Of patriotism.
He then proceeded to improvise a
programme which allowed the ladies of
the relief corps time TO prepare dinner.
The Dewey drum corps gave some of
their choicest martial music at inter-
walls, and Miss Name Daley deftly man
ipulated the organ keys and led in
singing old war songs until the COM
rades and their guests We're in harmony
with the spirit of the occasion.
BY / o'clock every one who had felt
the need of food had been supplied by
the willing workers of the relief corps,
and the comrades We're ready to renew
the social session which had begun un-
der such pleasant auspices.
Commander McComb's watchful eyes
facilities as the popularity OF the en-
tertanment had manifested itself and
he quietly led squad of his comrades
out of the hail to load them up with
foldng-chairs which he had provided
for such Il contingency,
AS soon as he had provided for the
comfort of all he began the exercises
of the afternoon by reading national
.t.I
ude to the afternoons exercises, and
then he rendered Lincoln's address at
Gettysburg with dramatic force and
telling effect,
Miss Name Daley Immediately fol-
lowed with a choice vocal selection. and
then accompanied on the organ Com
rade w. B. Geary, who had Il comic
song which caused great deal of
mirth. Marching Through Georgia"
gave the old boys "A chance to do their
best, and then Comrade George j. Will
liams felt the spirit of hilarity throb-
bling with such force that he broke out
with a, song that proved that he had
broad strata of fun In his composition.
columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,"
was then started by Comrades Blake,
Chase. Ertel and Llngfelter. The boys
rallied to their aid and Miss Lalley put
life in the organ BY this time the Ice
of restraint had disappeared and Conn
mander McComb's funny stories We're
doing their work. Volunteers were
there to do what they could do best,
and the commander had them vying
with each other for stunts.
Comrade John Jay Finch had gone
home for his fiddle, and was now ready
to play some airs which had the charm
of the old time apple-cut dance and
corn-husking diversion. The boys were
generous in their applause and We're
gratified with several reminders of the
days when life on the farm had its