Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-06-11
VETERANS GOING.
State Will Be Well Represented
at Encampment.
What is Being Done in Boston to Pro.
vide Entertainment for G. A. r. Men
Program Promises to be Most In
teresting.

Maine G. y. r. men are becoming inter-
ested in the next national cncampment of
the order which is to be held in Boston in
August. 1t is far too early at this time.
says Dept. Commander Milliken, to say
how many of the veterans from this State
will attend the gathering, but it is prob
able that the number will be large. OF
course, this belief that there will be a
large representation from the Pine Tree
State at the encampment is based upon
the knowledge of how the Boys turned
out at previous national gatherings At
those there has always been large num-
Der of Maine men, for it is convenient for
them to attend and they feel that they
should, because Boston is looked upon as
sort of Il home city and they want to
make "a success of the time.
Already the Boston officials who have to
do with the arrangements for the encamp-
ment are hard at work. If it is possible
for man to make arrangements for an
event of this kind so complete that there
can be no hitch the Boston men will do it.
1t is expected that there will be at least
10000 veterans at the encampment and
that the parade and other entertainments
which are being arranged for will draw
crowd of close to 100000 people to the
city for that week in August.
The housing of the host will be no small
matter. Many of the veterans wish to
obtain free quarters, as IS customary.
Mechanics Building has been secured.
Ten trousand cotmatresses have been or
dered and 10000 more can be had if de-
sired. These will be put into Mechanics
Building where will be established Camp
Jack" Adams. Col Charles X. Darling
will be the commandant. The building,
under his direction, will be put in the best
of condition for the accommodation of
those who wish to obtain free quarters.
Some form of entertainment other than
visiting historical places and famous
buildings will be needed The committee
having this matter in charge have broken
away from the established order of things
and propose to give the visitors something
novel in the way Of amusement. There
WILL of course, be the usual number of
camp fires and independent reunions. On
Tuesday night there will be a monster
camp fire in Mechanics Hall. On this oc-
casion the best and most noted speakers
will be heard. An entirely new feature
will be an automobile parade. At least
100 machines will be in line. and the dele
gates will be taken on a ride to LcxinS-
ton and Concord. By far the most unique
plan will be river carnival in Waltham.
That city has become famous for this
form of entertainment, and the thousands
who will witness it will be sure to take
away pleasant memories.
E,-t n A I hn11 in
Boston was in 1871. At that time Gen.
John A. Logan was commander in chief
1t was the darkest period in the history
of the organization. The old soldiers were
divided into various orders, all having the
same object, but differing in some minor
particulars. The convention met in John
A. Andrew Hall The entire entertain
ment consisted of banquet in Faneuil
Hall, a visit to Bunker Hill monument,
ard an inspection of the forts in the har-
Dor.
When the next old soldiers went to the
New England metropolis the G. A. r.
was in the very zenith of its strength and
glory Never before nor since has it had
so large a membership as at that time. 1t
took eight hours for the parade of grizzled
veterans to rass the reviewing in 1890.
1t is understood that the posts in the
Kennebec valley are making an effort to
form a Kennebec battalion for the en-
campment The idea is that the posts to-
gether would be able to make better
showing, while still maintaining their
separate organizations, than they could
IL each post should go as separate and
independent body If the arrangement is
made a band will be engaged