The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-08-05
G. A. r. NATIONAL Enoampment.


The annual encampment to b, held
In Boston the week commencing Aug.
10 promises to be one of the most large
ly attended gatherings Of civil war
veterans since the close of the war.
The old soldiers begin to realize that
they will not be able to attend nation
al encampments many years longer.
This makes many OF them the more
anxious to meet their comrades while
they may.
The old commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, and especially the city Of Boston,
feels that this is the last opportunity
they will ever have to entertain this
representative class OF American citi-
zens. They are therefore making a
great effort to make this one OF the
most memorable encampments the
Grand Army has ever held. The de-
partment Of Massachusetts, is bending
every effort to make the occasion
/ unique and thoroughly enjoyable by
all those who partici pate.
The entertainment for the week Is
to be elaborate. The committees hav-
ing the matter in charge have broken
away from the established customs
and will present some new features for
the edification OF the guests. There
will be the usual receptions, campfires
aud parades, but in addition there will
be other features that will we'll repay
the comrades who come to see and en-
joy. Automobile parades, river carni-
walls, fish dinners on the shores of Mas
sachusetts Bay, surf bathing for those
from the interior who have little or
no opportunity for such sport, excur-
sions to Lexington, Concord, Plymouth
Rock and other places of historic in
terest make up an outline of entertain
ment that will tax the time of these
who wish to see all.
| The reception Of the Woman's Re.
lief Corps will doubtless take place on
Monday evening, the day Of the ar
rival Of the greater part of the vet
Grams. On Monday also will be the
parade Of the Naval Veterans and ex-
Prisoners OF War association. On
Tuesday the grand parade of the
Grand Army will take place. In the
evening there will be monster camp
fire in Mechanics building.
| Wednesday the work Of the encamp.
ment will begin. That evening the
visitors will be invited to take trains
and go to Waltham to witness one OF
the most novel spectac'es to be seen in
this country. On the Charles river at
Waltham there are some 1000 canoes.
These will be combined In grand
river carnival. This is form OF even
ing entertainment. The Watch city
will be brilliantly illuminated and
there will be ample room for the hun
dreds Of thousands of spectators along
the banks OF the river, while the
unique and handsome decorations Of
the numerous crafts will present a
fairy.llke spectacle.
One of the most interesting features
of the week will be the evolutiops of
the "White Squadron. Those who
come from the inland cities and states
will have an opportunity to see some
thing of Uncle Sam S navy, as the Sec
rotary Of the navy has promised to
detail squadron to come to Boston
during the encampment. Arrange
ments will be made for those who so
desire to go out on board these dogs Of
war and at close range see something
Of the sea-fghting power of the United
States.
Boston with its historic interest
seems to be a fitting place for the
greatest encampment in the history
the Grand Army Of the Republic, and
no one who comes to Boston in August
will have cause to regret 1t. Ample
provisions are being made for the &C
commodations OF all. The state has
appropriated $4,000, the city Of Bos-
ton S25, 900, and the patriotic citizens
are constantly contributing to swell
this fund to the end that'every emer
gency may be met. Free quarters will
be provided for those who wish them.
Those who wish to stay at hotels will
not find any advance in rates, as the
propretors have already guaranteed
to maintain their regular prices. The
parade is to be very short, only two
miles, over the best asphalt pave
ment, through the most beautiful
section of Boston.