Cañon City record., 1904-03-24

issue 10 give proper prominence to the
exercises connected with "Old Soldiers
Day" celebrated under the auspices of
the Canon City Woman's Club at Elks
hall last Wednesday afternoon, and it
is with pleasure that we now refer to
that event, which is an original con-
ception on the part of Canon City
women.
The address of welcome was made by
Mrs. Nellie P. Weston, president of the
organization, and was most fitting and
hearty, and as toastmistress her short
story hits were capital and well calcu-
lated to smooth out the wrinkles and
drive dull care away" putting the
audience in excellent humor for the
intellectual and social treat which was
to follow
The response was by Capt. B. F.
Rockafellow, and, as it seemed to voice
the feeling of the veterans of both
sides in the war towards their enter
tainers, we present it in full He said ::
Mrs. Pre- sident, Ladies of the Canon
City Woman's Club and Comrades of
the Blue and the Gray: The veterans
here assembled, of the contending
forces of the Civil war, have delega ted
to me the pleasing duty of responding
to the heart welcome of the second an
nual feast of season and flox of SOUP
you this day honor US with The event
of last year has been pleasant mem
ory to these soldiers who were evenly
matched in battle and who stood up to
the stern work of war at close range,
Federate and Confederate alike, but
now, instead. enjoy hand to hand and
heart to heart confidnnces and COM
radeship. You, representative women
of Canon, have inaugurated a tribute
to the valor of veterans that Others say
may well be taken up in every part of
the land, counterpart to Decoration
Day.
By this token you are saying to those
who battled at duty's call, as each side
were given to see it, for four long years,
that you recognize in these battle
scared veterans a type of manhood
above their fellow men who were cal
lows to the calls of those perilous
times: That your true, womanly hearts
are showing to the men of this and
coming generations that what these
veterans did they must do. when duty
calls, with equal endesvor and deter
mination, if they hope for the plaud its
and affection of the women of the land
To you. ladies, who practice generos-
ity, sociability and hospitality, shall be
given even greater capacity in bestow-
ing those favors that broaden and pro-
mote fellowship and nobleness of char
acter, as shown in your courteous bear
ing toward those aged veterans who,
having fought in the front, prote st
against being called old soldiers and
being sent to the rear as some though Z
less, unpatriotic men would. yeter-
ans ever, Old Soldiers neverl
We feel that you, ladies, are to be
depended upon and we wish that e'er
the representatives of one of our or
EXAMINATIONS, the G. A. R., meets here
in June, from Posts all over Wyoming
and Colorado, about four hundred
strong, that as many as possible Of your
organization may become members of
one or the other of our relief corps, or
at least signify your willingness to CO.
operate with them; knowing to GER
their wives will bear away with them
memories of our people and locality
that will be lasting benefit to US as
well a to those whose sojourn we may
strive to make pleasant and profitable.
Ladies. we feel that there is no reserve
in your hospitality. Those are invited
who since the war have lived through
disability and untoward circumstances
and are in your true womaply eyes
alike peers with their more vigorous.
fortunate fellows. The open sesame to
your banquet hall is only an honorable
discharge.
May the God who smiles over the
united nation ever bless and guard
each one OF you is the wish OF everyone
of the veterans here assembled"
Mrs. Weston had the roll called of
those present at last years reception
and noted with appropriate rem srks
the absence of Rev. B F. Moore and
A. t. Alexander, who have passed to
the life beyond.
The singing OF America" swelled
every heart, Mrs. rruman's piano solo
was exquisit and the audience. as all
Canon audiences do, highly rpprecisted
the INSTRUMENTATION OF Miss Grace
Dale. The solos by Misses Mayme,
Allen, Loring and Lee were superb and
awakened memories am ing the guests