The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1903-08-28
OLD SOLDIERS AT ST. FRANCIS
EIGHTEEETH ANNUAL REUEToF OF THE
ToEEHWEsT KANSAS VETERANS.
Men who Fought in the Civil war Frou
An over Northwest Kansas, and Many
Otherss Join IN the FestivaI-GoOd-
land Winning the Sports

just west Of the court house on a SUM-
ny slope are pitched in hollow square
30 new canvas tents, surrounded by sup
plies Of clean oats straw, hay. fuel, water
and all the conveniences Of an encamp-
ment-this constitutes the camp view Of
the eighteenth annual meeting Of the
Northwest Kansas Veterans association,
which met at St Francis Tuesday,
August >, and continues until the 18th.
All over the town bunting. flags and
draPery bearing the word Welcome, -
appear on every hand and ali the people
eonspire 70 make the veterans and guests
welcome. Men in blue-coated uniforms,
others in the attire Of civilians, the faces
Of whom show the marks Of years since
the eos. are nevertheless happy in being
once more together to tell the old
stories and to revivify the memories OF
the great conflict, aud to renew the &C
quaintences Of comrades IN arms. The
town IS packed with people all Of whom
seem bent on having a celebration that
shall not soon pass from view.
The officers Of the association are J.
E. Bear, commander, St. Francis; J. ".
Allen, senior vice-commander, Oberlin;
A. A. Cresler, junior vice commander,
HOxie; H 9. Patterson, surgeon, Rex
ford; J. b. Stewart, chaplain, Goodland;
A. R. Shoots, adiutant, Bird City, and
Amos Ewing, quartermaster, st. Francis.
A large new store room of ample di-
mansions, built by Jerry Lyons, to store
the broom corn crop Of the county, has
been arranged as a pavilion for the
camp fires and other meetings Of the
association. A big stage and a seating
capacity for 500 people have been pro-
vided. The pavilion IS gorgeously dec
grated, and flags and signs Of the festiv-
iTity are here plentiful indeed.
The band boys and the base ball play
ers are quartered in the 1. o. o. F. hall,
and cots and other cOnveniences make
it pleasant lounging resort.
The entertainments Of the association
began with a matched game Of ball
Tuesday afternoon. The game was
between GoOdland and Laird, Colo. It
was more or less spirited throughout,
but the game went easily to Goodland
by a score Of 3 to II.
q A refreshing and gentle rain fell Tues
day evening aud the band concert and
campfire were held in the pavilion
Mayor L. Z. Harrison being i'll the ad-
dress Of welcome and response was post
poned to Wednesday forenoon.
The first meeting and campfire Of the
association was opened with prayer BY
the chaplain, ]. II. Stewart, Command
er J. E Bear presiding. On call speech.
IS were made by Rev. J. H. Lockwood
}. II. Stewart, A. r. Shoots and Thoma:
Butt. The band Of p pieces furnished
the music. The drum corps, led by Fifel
Thomas Butt, were heard from in spicJ
and celebrating notes OF martial music
! Wednesday afternoon a meeting wa,
held at the pavilion. Owing to tht
continued indisPosition Of Mayor Har
rison, Mrs. Harrison read the address
Of welcome. The response was made
by Rev. Lockwood. This was followed
by an entertaining service under the
auspices Of the WOman's Relief Corps
| Wednesday afternoon a game OF bal
vas played By the Kanorado AM
st. Francis teams.
, st. Francis is the gem Of the valla,
Of the South Fork of the Republican
river, and from year to year the tow
is improving IN locks and the valley /
growing more attractive by the ap
pearance Of timber and shode tree;
The veterans are pleased with the as
} peot Of this years reunion, and it wi
e mark By its history pleasant chapte
in the reunions OF the association.
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