Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-12-05
wearsrs of the Brown Button.


Commander Thomas Reed of the G
A. r. Of the state has issued circular
letter in which the following order ia
promulgated, the letter being dated a,
Arlington:
Post Commanders and Comrades
Your attention Is called to chapter Az
section 6Sls: "Any person found wear.
ing the badge of the Grand Army of the
Republic not entitled to the same by be-
ing member thereof, shall upon con-
viction before justice of the peace or
other officer having Jurisdiction In such
cases, be subject to fine not to exceed
twenty-five dollars for each and every
offense, together with costs Of prosecu-
tion." "The Grand Army button" is an
emblem of rank and badge of honor to
those who are entitled TO wear it. And
none are 80 entitled unless he be men,
ber in good standing, oftlIe Grand Army
of the Republic. 1t is my wish that all
comrades who are members ofthis grand
organization viii at all times wear this
honorable mark. Should there be a
comrade in your post who is unable to
procure button, it is my order that my
quartermaster provide him with one and
make minute Of same in your next re-
port. Further, should there be person
in your community wearing this button
who is not q member in good standing,
it is ordered that you report his name,
residence, occupation and ifpossible, the
place where he formerly lived, to these
headquarters, with such other informa-
tion and evidence as you can furnish.
And further, should there be an honor
ably discharged soldier, sailor marine in
your vicinity, who is unable to pay his
imitation in order to become a member
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic and
thereby secure the right, honor and
privilege wearing his "little bronze but
ton," it is my order that you at once en-
roll him as member Of your post and
report his name, address and circum-
stances to these headquarters. 1t is my
desire and wish that every member of
this department shall be honored at
home or abroad, and to that end l re-
quest that each post compile complete
roster of its members and forward same
to these headquarters. Commanders,
you will please have these orders read
at the next three regular post meetings,
and also see that it is published in your
local papers.
l am also sorry to learn that there are
many graves of veterans throughout the
department unprovided with proper
headstones. This is to be deplored as il
exhibits the carelessness Of post officers
Dou't let this state of affairs continue
but let each post commander on the re
ceipt OF this order, make a complete iisI
of names of deceased soldiers or sailors
no matter whether they were formerly
members of the Grand Army of tie Re-
public or not) buried in their vicinity
giving company, regiment or ship in
which he served and date of death and
forward same to Assistant Quartermaster
General w. L. Palmer, Carthage, S. D..
and pledge you he will give the mat
ter his immediate attention.
Several posts have neglected to send
names of suitable comrades for appoint
ment on staff of department commander
Post commanders will please make selec
tions and forward names to assistan,
adjutant general, Carthage, s. D, By
command of
Tuos REED,
Department Commander.
n@n;nl. u NUnlua.a,,Ih nnsnka 81