The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-09-10
THE REUNION Is OVER
We were Favored with Fine Weather
and it was a Grand Success in
Every Particular.

Ihe Leon reunion Wnlcn was III pro-
gress at the time THE REPORTER went
to press last week, was favored with de-
lightful weather all week, and we are
safe in saying it was the most success
full reunion yet held, nothing occurring
during the entire week to mar the
pleasure of the large crowds who were
in attendance.
Thursday was Old Soldiers day, and
the boys in blue had charge of the pro-
gram. An enormous crowd was present,
and nearly $50 old veterans registered
at headquarters, while several hundred
more did not take the trouble to regis
ter. Rev. S. Fl. Hedrick, of Allerton,
delivered his famous lecture on Shiloh"
which he illustrated in an admirable
manner with charts, which was rare
treat to the old soldiers present, many
of whom participated in this famous bat
tie. Chaplain Jesse Cole, of Marshall
town, also made an excellent address,
!. his subject being "Four Years to the
Front" 1t was soldiers day from early
morn until late at night and they made
the best of it, as you could see little
groups scattered here and there who had
not met for years before, all eagerly re-
newing old acquaintance. The Garden
Grove band furnished music, assisted by
the colored quartette from Des Moines,
and Miss Marie Moore sang beautiful
solo, ''We Are Tenting Tonight The
camp fire in the evening was we'll at
( tended and it was late hour before the
vast crowd commenced leaving the
grounds.
Friday was 111th Alaska day, and
early in the morning people began to
arrive from all parts of the county, for
there was good time promised and
everybody seemed to want to be here to
enjoy it. EARLY in the day the Corydon
band arrived, and with the GardenGrove
band they proceeded to liven things up
with lively music. The 111th Alaska
boys made their appearance early in
the day, attired in bright red caps, red
badges with sundower for a button
aire, and carrying natty canes decorat-
ed with red ribbon. They made a very
handsome appearance when they formed
in line at the opera house at II o'clock
to march to the depot to meet the speak
ers Of the day, Gov. A. B. Cummins and
Mayor James Brenton, of Des "Moines.
Gen. I. N. Beard, resplendent in full uni
form, was in command, assisted by Capt.
c. M. Axes, also in uniform, and both
officers mounted. Both the Corydon and
Garden Grove bands were in line, and
the parade stretched out for more than
quarter of mile. Handsomely decor
lted carriages had been provided for
the distinguished guests, Gov. Cummins
being assigned to J. f. Gills carriage
and Mayor Brenton in S. W. Kehlers
carriage A large number of citizens in
carriages also drove to the depot and
Joined in the parade. When the train
pulled in the reception committee es-
corted the distinguished guests to the
carriages, 10 Waight and Freeda Ferren
scattering flowers in front of them.
Gov. Cummins took each Of them up and
kissed them, and had them ride in his
carriage.
Marching up town the guests we're
escorted to the hotel for dinner, as
they dismounted from the carriages
three cheers being givenfor the govern
or and also for Mayor Brenton. Then
everybody hustled for dinner, for it was
announced the governor would have to
return to Des Moines on the 2:30 train,
and his speech would be the first thing
on the program after dinner.
Promptly at o'clock the 111th
Alaskas formed in line and marched to
the grounds, headed by the speakers
and both bands, and the boys were
loudly cheered by the big crowd as they
marched to the speakers stand.
Gov. Cummins was introduced to the
vast audience by Gen Beard, and talked
little over an hour. He made splen-
did address, being careful to avoid any
thing like politics in his address. The
r crowd around the speakers stand was q
sight. extending clear up into the field
beyond, and many could not even heal
the speakers voice. Gov. Cummins
estimated the crowd at 10000. At the
conclusion of the governors address he
was hurriedly driven to the depot, the
train having been held for him about 81
minutes.
After the departure of the governo,
the fun commenced, for the 111tf
Alaskas had full program, some OF il
having to be left out for lack of time
There was singing and dancing, music
by Sousa S band, recitations by Will Ed
wards, song by Joe Nugent, and Mayor
Brenton made short comic address and
amused the big audience with couple
Of comic songs. He is certainly an al
around mixer, and can entertain any
- !. <,,.oxpd "a flor the PROGRAM al