The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-06-25
Survivors OF the Civil War Elaborate
" Entertained by z. G. Simmons
at His Prairie Avenue Home.
QuARLEs AND COOPER SPEAK.
Members of Milwaukee. Racine Waukegan
and Kenosha Posts Enjoy Hospitality
and Pay Tribute to Their Friend.

and the surrounding cities learned a
lesson of patriotism Tuesday evening
when they gathered at the residence of
IL. G. Simmons, Prairie Avenue, to at
tend the annual reception given by
Mr.. Simmons to the old soldiers. The
night will ever remain a gala night
in the history of the Grand Army in
Wisconsin and the hundreds of spectat-
ors who crowded the lawn Of the spac-
ious residence of Mr.. Simmons will
long bear in mind the splendid words
of patriotism uttered by the speakers
of the evening
The reception was the most success
full ever held at the Simmons home.
In honor of the coming Of the boys in
blue the lawn ia front of the home of
Mr.. Simmons had been transformed
into summer garden. A thousand
blazing electric lights de6ed the rule
of night, turning the night time into
day time and casting sheen of red
and white and blue over the scene.
In front of the house great arch Of
electric lights in the national colors
showed the welcome to the soldiers.
To the east hung ssO1d Glory" wrap
ped in garment of fire. All about
the house, the cornice and the caves
twinkled myriad of lights Of nation
al co1ors and even among the trailing
vine and shrubbery twinkling like SO
many stars we're the lights Of the col
ors so dear to the hearts of the old
soldiers and patriotic citizens. The
reception of Mr.. Simmons is no longer
little social affair for now it has the
| dignity of a state function and last
night guests were present from all
over the state and the most disting-
uished members of the Grand Army
added their tribute to Kenosha in pay
| ing homage to the soldiers friend.
Milwaukee, Racine, Waukegan and
half dozen other cities had delega-
tions at the reunion and among the
number were many men who had gain
ed lame on the field of battle while
there was also there some of the boys
rear rank. AT the "Sinamons' re-
union the rank of the soldier makes no
difference and the boys who marched
behind bearing the brunt of the con-
test of war had the same kindly well
come as that extended to the men who
wore the glittering epaulettes and COM
manded the forces Of the Union.
The guests from other cities came in
on the evening trains and meeting at
the Post room the old veterans, one
hundred and seventy-6ve strong,
charged upon the home Of Mr.. Sim
mons. Here they were greeted with
music and cheers and given the place
of honor. In the parlors and dining
rooms, on the spacious veranda and on
the lawn everything was open to the
old soldier.
After the soldiers had begun to gath
er the crowds Of loyal people came also
to listen to the speeches and show their
appreciation for the host of the even
ing. Before the speeches of the even
ing began more than a thousand
people had gathered on the lawn.
There was every entertainment pro-
vided for the old soldiers. Miss Lille
Runals came out from New York 10
be present at the reunion and she sang
her war songs in way that awakened.
new memories in the minds Of the
soldiers. Her recitation, s'Old Glory
brought an outburst of applause and
patriotism. Other music was furnish
ed during the evening by Comrades
Starkweather, of Milwaukee, G. F.
Stemm, of Kenosha and Paul Bier
sach, of Milwaukee.
After the old boys had touched
shoulders again, and the first greeting
was over, the speakers were called for.
United States Senator Joseph v.
Quarles was the first speaker of the
evening. He spoke briefly, and in a.
few words recalled the glories of the
soldier and the great debt that was due
them. He paid a glowing tribute to
Mr.. Simmons for his magnificent pat
riotism and his love for the soldier,
and referred to the Soldiers monu-
ment and the library as the greatest
monuments that could be erected to
revere his memory.
Following the speech of Senator
Quarles, Congressman II. A. Cooper
was called on. Mr.. Cooper responded
with one Of the greatest speeches ever
heard in Kenosha. Speaking of the
times Of war Mr.. Cooper so aroused
the enthusiasm of the old soldiers that
several times he was forced to stop in
his remarks on account Of the con-
tirued cheering. The beautiful and
pathetic stories of the war as told By
Mr.. Cooper, brought memory and tears,
and many times the old veterans and
the great crowd of auditors were moved
to tears and laughter. Mr.. Cooper
spoke especially of the gratitude that
was due to the old soldiers for their
work for the country, and III speaking
in this vein he paid tribute to the
old boys in blue which will never be
forgotten BY the people who were priv
ileged to hear it. In this gratitude for
the work Of the old soldier he found
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