Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-26
DATE OF MUSTER IN
Anniversary OF KIT CARSON
POST CELEBRATED.
Address of Welcome by Col. Holcomb,
Pcst Communicable Order
of Exercises.

Thirty-six years ago yesterday the second
post in the then new Department of Poto-
mac, G. A. r.. was mustered in. The ma
tional organization was then less than one
year old. The post was Kit Carson, No. 2,
and its first commander was Colonel Mid
dleton whose son, Mr.. Arthur Edmonston
Middleton, was one Of the soloists, last
evening, at the anniversary reception to the
friends of this popular post
The reception was held in Grand Army
Hall. The walls were almost hidden under
bunting, flags, banners and floral anchors
and badges. The rear of the platform was
massed with palms, which had for a back
ground long festoons Of red framing the
legend in gold letters, Kit Carson Post,
No. 2, Department Of Potomac" Great
bouquets of roses decorated the stands.
The guests Of the post filled the hall to
the doors. The chairman, Col. l. Bresna-
han, called the meeting to order, and Kit
Carson Drum Corps sounded assembly.
Address of Welcome.
The address of welcome was by Col. z. H.
Holcomb, commander of the post. There
were seated upon the platform Department
Commander l. G. Kimball, Senior Vice Com
mander Abraham Hart, Junior Vice Com
mander Hiram Buckingham, Chaplain Ste
vens, Past Commander B. F. Bingham, As
L
Vice Commander-in-chief McElroy, Mrs.
Ellen Spencer Mussey Mrs. Judith Ellen
Foster and Mr.. w. E. Andrews.
Commander Holbrook gave a history of
Kit Carson Post in detail, and told Of the
hundreds of brave men who had been mus
tered into its ranks, but who had passed
now from them forever The burden Of
Commander Holbrooks remarks was, how
ever, in relation to the idea that he said
seemed to be held in some governmental
departments in regard to veterans. They
think we are growing old and are no longer
able to perform service for the government;
not In the ranks. but in its Offices" said
he. This is false. l believe first and fore
most the old soldier should be taken care
of by Uncle Sam, for who has worked hard
er for America than the veteran who is now
in his declining days? He certainly deserves
all the recognition a grateful government
can extend to him.
Mr.. James A. Garfield was unable to be
present though he was announced in the
program as speaker, and Mrs. Judith Ellen
roster was substituted. Mrs. Foster made
an eloquent address along patriotic lines
In which she declared that the flag of the
country had made its soldiers. A little later
Commander kfmball in an entertaining
talk about the Grand Army and it's work
took occasion to differ with Mrs. Foster and
said that the soldiers of the country make
its flag. Mr.. w. E. Andrews of the Treas
ury Department. although not upon the
program, was prevailed upon to speak to
the veterans. which he did. and his utter
ances were applauded to the echo.
The Musical Features.
The Grand Army Musical Union, with
Mrs. E. D. Tracy as accompanist, rendered
the chorus. THE March Of the Guard"
Major John Tweedale, U. S. A., recited the
poem of James Whitcomb Riley, "Old
Glory" and was encored. Mr.. Harry H.
Campbell, accompanied on the piano by
Mrs. Charles A. Townsend, sang in an ex-
cellent baritone voice, 1.-The Bugler." He
responded to an encore vigorously demanded
by the old soldiers. An octet, composed of
Victor L. Dodge William G. Penny, A. L.
Mccoy, George Scharf. F. j. Woodman, l.
c. Stockton, A. ]. Green and ]. F. Keenan,,
sang the American Hymn" and later ITO
Thee, Oh, Country" Mr. Edwin A. Gee
gave piano solo, being medley of war
songs. in which the Union and confederate
melodies were so intermingled as to produce
a very unique effect.
Mr.. Arthur Edmonston Middleton, young
man possessed of fine bass voice, rendered
Petrie's THE Song That the Anvil Sings
with fine effect. Mr.. Gee accompanied the
singer. This was followed by Miss Cath
crime NJ. Loughran, a soprano, with Pin
Suits Fly Forth, Oh Gentle Dove" which
was received with a vigorous encore, to
which she responded with recitation with
a laugh in every line, and she was pre-
scented with big bunch of white roses.
Mrs. E. d. Tracy was also the recipient of
roses from Kit Carson Post
The exercises closed with the singing Of
America by the audience.