The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-30
REUNION AT
MT. CREEK
Camp Ealkner Inaugurated
an Annual Occasion.
VISITORS HAD HAPPY DAY
lmprOmptu Speeches by Dis
tinguiShsd Guests.
Fine barbecue Dinner Was Enjoyed
Upon the Grounds with
the Inmates of the 81
Home.

crate Veterans, had most happy day
at the Soldiers Home at Mountain
Creek yesterday 1t was the inaugu-
ration of an annual meeting of the
camp at the Home, and the experiment
was so satisfactory that the occasion
will be much more elaborate and ex-
tended next year. and probably the
Birmingham and other nearby camps
will be invited to participate.
The train left the depot promptly at
Z o'clock a. M A large number of
members of Camp Falkner and invited
guests of Captain Falkner filled two
coaches. Reaching the station at
Mountain Creek conveyances were fur
nished the ladies of the party, and the
old veterans marched to the Home a
mile away. having pleasant trip
along the way. A nice shower had
fallen only few minutes before, laying
the dust and making the walk most
delightful one, all enjoying the fresh
invigorating morning air.
Arriving at the Home, the old Con-
federate flag aroused an old time in
spiration and the greeting of the old
soldiers was cordial and they welcomed
old time friends with a genuine hospi-
tality that was most refreshing. Those
who had not been there before were
amazed to see such beautiful grounds,
such comfortable and substantial build
ings. and the Memorial Hall was the
admiration of all. To those who had
been there before the great improve
ments made in the past few months
was a revelation. Mr.. Brooks, the su-
perintendent and Mrs. Warren, the
matron, were untiring in their efforts
to entertain the guests, and their aid
to Captain and Mrs. Falkner was in
valuable.
The morning was spent in inspect
ing the grounds and buildings, and the
inmates truly enjcfed having so many
visitors. the day being a most pleas
ant one for them. A lunch was set and
at will the inner man was refreshed
and the appetite stayed for the APP
preaching dinner which was bounteous
and all that could have been wished by
the most dainty in taste.
A meeting of Camp Falkner was held
In the splendid Auditorium of Memo
rial Hall and suitable resolutions
adopted recognizing the propriety of
the idea of meeting at the Home, and
the happy thought was so popular that
1t was resolved to continue ii each year
and to make it a memorable annual oc-
casion in the life of the camp.
Dinner was served and there was
enough for three times as many as
were present, and those charged with
tho arrangements were voted to be
past masters in the art of providing
for such occasions. 1t was a success
in every particular and all who were
there got enough to eat and to spare.
After dinner the visitors assembled
in the Auditorium to hear the music
of the graphophone and every succeed
ipo MI oh 70 h.
til Dixie was rendered, when the old
veterans showed their appreciation by
cheer after cheer and a real rebel yell
was heard here and there about the
hall
DIR. o. F. Gregory could not resist the
temptation and interrupted the musical
program long enough to tell an appro-
pirate anecdote and put the audience
to laughing. Captain B. H Screws
was called out and made one of his
characteristic. eloquent and enthusiast
tic speeches. his feeling allusiop TO
the valor and patriotism of the old
Confederate soldier bringing tears to
all VINO were in the sound of his voice.
Governor Cunningham also made a
most appropriate and entertaining
speech and it was the verdict of all
that 1t was most happy and appro-
pirate. ne reference OIL the Governor
to the work of the grand and glo-
rious friend of the Home, Captain j..
NJ. Falkner met a hearty and respon-
sive cheer in the hearts of the au-
dience and the sentiment was
cheered time and time again, and then
taken up again and it was several
minutes before the Governor could
proceed.
Col Sam. Blackwell. the silver
tongued orator from North Alabama,
who is member of the Board of
Control of the Home for the Sth Dis
trict, also made a most happy and
address; in response to calls.
and only the lack of time prevented
the calling out of others. The i'm
promptu gathering turned out real
love-feast and the happy, glorious
memories received did all good. The
return to the depot was begun at 5
o'clock, and when home was reached
Camp Falkner and Captain Falkner
were voted many thanks for sucn an
ideal outing by all who were present.
Captain Falkners orchards and
farm was visited by quite a number
and his peaches and plums and grapes
were much admired, while the grow
ing crop was much admired. Many
crates of peaches and plums have al
ready been shipped and the trees are
still laden with fruit. many OF them
having 10 be propped to be kept up
1t was the verdict of experts that this
is oEe of the most valuable places in
Alabama and that Captain Falkner
knows well how to handle it,