Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-08-17
| 10000
VISITORS
IN FRISCO


Visitors are pouring into San Fran
cisco by hundreds preliminary to the
opening of the national encampment
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic,
and the annual meetings of the sever
al affiliated organizations. Veterans
who attended former national encamp-
ments say they have seldom seen a
larger attendance prior to the open-
ing OF the encampment week All
railways have extra trains which are
heavily loaded. Many OF the big dele
cations from the east and middle west
VIII not put in an appearance until to,
morrow, having stopped at interme-
diate points for the purpose of sight
seeing. 1t is estimated, however, that
nearly 10000 visitors are already here.
and throughout the day the California
posts have been busy escorting visit
ing comrades from the stations to
their headquarters.
The decorations may have been
richer in triumphal arches and other
designs at one or TWO other encamp
ments, but at none was "a city more
protusely or generally decorated with
American flags than is San Francisco
today. On every hand may be seen
bewildering display of bunting, flags
and streamers, until the eye is sated
with the varied display. Not only are
business streets and the houses on
the line OF parade decorated, but in
all parts of the city, even in the sub,
urbs and across the bay, may be seen
beautiful evidence of the patriotism
OF the citizens
The work of the committee in the
matter of illumination will attract
much attention. The most imposing
feature OF the elaborate general de
sign is the great court of honor that
has been constructed at the intersec-
tion of Market and Kearney streets.
Two immense arches will stretch from
corner to corner, intersecting each
other and crowned by dome compos-
ed OF hundreds OF electric light globes
and American flags. From the top oil
the dome to central point are strings
of lights and from the bottom of the
central circle immense. lanterns are
suspended. The arches are covered
with plaster and ornamented with fig
ures. The entire scheme is in white,
presenting pretty appearance in the
daytime and blaze of brilliancy al
night
Among the veterans already in the
field warm discussion is heard regard
ing the contest for commander in
chief. The fight is one of the most
spirited the organization has seen for
number of years. The two leading
the honor General
John c. Black of Illinois, who has the
solid support of the middle west, and
former Governor Bulkeley of Connect
cut In case of a deadlock between
the supporters of. the two leaders in
the race it is possible that dark
horse may win.
The entire week will be given over
to the business of the encampment
and the entertainment of the veterans
and their friends. One of the most
distinctive features will be the big
parade In the ranks will be all the
veterans associations in convention
here, the Grand Army of the Republic,
the Associated Veterans of the MeXi-
can War, Spanish-American War
Veterans. National Association of Civ
il War Musicians, Sons of War Vete-
rams and all kindred and auxiliary So
cieties of the Grand Army.
This parade will take place Tues
day. 1t will form at Union Square and
march through the principal streets
of the city.
On the following day there will be
"A procession of veterans alone
In the parade will march the forty yfive
departments of the Grand Army in the
order of seniority. General Edward S
Solomon, chairman OF the parade com
mittee is assured there will be be
tween 10000 and 25,OOO veterans in
line.
The committee on entertainment to-
day completed the final details of the
elaborate program of amusements.
The main events will take place in
the Mechanics Pavilion Tuesday
there will be a public reception there,
and Governor Pardee, Mayor Schmitz
and General Shafter department com
mander, will welcome the veterans to
the state and city. Friday the great
campfire OF the veterans will be held,
and feast of baked beans, hard tack
anu EDHfts WIN u'hihAAb''
added. will be served.
During the week the fourth annual
national encampment and reunion OF
the association of Spanish-American
War Veterans will be held. This con
vention will have the special object
of uniting the various organizations OF
veterans of the late war now strug'
Cling for supremacy.
In the general arrangements the
various womens auxiliariea have not
been overlooked and special prepara'
tlons have been made for their enter
tainment During the week the Won
ans Relief corps, the Ladies of the G
A. r.. the society of war nurses and
the other affiliated bodies will hold
their reunions. In several of the or
ganizations spirited contests have de
veloped for the various Offices and the
proceedings promise to be of an inter
esting character. The attendance al
all of these conventions promises IL
be unusually large. Notwithstanding
70 bot h,,1l Of l,a hos