The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-26
FOR THE OLD SOLDIERS
BLUE AND GRAY ASSOCIATION
 SENDS MONEY.
West Virginia People Collect s64 tt Provide Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans at Noun
 tain Creek.

"The Association of the Blue and the Gray" which met in Ravenswood, w. Va, in September, sent $64 to Captain M Falkner of Montgomery for the Soldiers Home at Mountain Creek with a suggestion that 1t be used to provide Thanksgiving day dinner for the vet erans.
 The correspondence was as follows:
 "Ravenswood, W. Va, Oct. IS, 1905. Captain J. M. Falkner,
 Superintendent Soldiers Home,
 Montgomery, Ala:
 My Dear Sir-Inclosed you will find a small good will fund. contributed by the Association of the Blue and the Gray, which met in Ravenswood. w. Va, September 1920. 1905.
 This money was contributed by the people, irrespective of politics or re- ligious belief; with the sole purpose of showing to the people of the country. that these who were once enemies in the field are now united in the Broth erhood of American citizens. It Is to be used just as you think best, but hope you will pardon me for making | the suggestion that it be used for your Thanksgiving dinner.
 We cannot tell you how much we re- l gret that you were not here at our | meeting, that you might have seen how genuine our friendship and how de-
 
 l the people of this State really are; and | from all over this broad land, we hear 1 the echoes of the same sentiment. We | appreciate the affection the Southern 1 States have for their soldiers. in pro- viding SO we'll for those who were dis l abled during that mighty struggle, and l 1t would grieve us to know that any | one of the States would allow any of 1 their disabled patriots to live in want. | We believe that every man who l fought on either side in that great con- test. voluntarily placed his life on his | country's altar. to save a principle | which he believed to be of more impor- | tance to the world, than his life to | himself.
 l We were sorry to learn of your af- | fiction and hope for your speedy re- | covery, and that you will be able to be | with us another year. Tell the boys | at the Home that we sent greetings, and hope that if we never meet here | to take each other by the hand, that we may meet when the great armies are | marshalled beyond the valley on the | other shore.
 l "Fraternally yours, | Isaac M. Adams,
 president of the Association of the
 Blue and the Gray"
 To this letter Captain Falkner replied as follows:
 l Montgomery. Nov. IS.
 "Mr. Isaac M. Adams,
 | "Ravenswood, w Va:
 Dear Sir-Continued illness has pre- vented me from writing you and thank ing you for tie very kind contribution | of $64 by the Blue and the Grey, sent me in October, although I immediately sent the contribution to the command ant of the Soldiers Home, and your letter was read to the old soldiers who expressed great gratitude thorefor.
 q congratulate you and the good people in and around Ravenwood, on having such a splendid organization as the Blue and the Grey. It demonstrates that there are those in this life who have higher aims and nobler purposes than the propagation of hatred, discord and the like. I have felt for a long time that the old soldiers on both sides were very greatly indebted to those who lived near the border line, or the line of separation between the North and the South. for the noble example | which both the Blue and the Grey set in restoring peace and harmony to the country and wiping out forever old feuds and animosities which could not be profitable to any individual or com munity If they were treasured up.
 'The heroism displayed on both sides during that fearful war is now a com- mon heritage and should be treasured alike by every true American. The | history made In those memorable years demonstrates beyond doubt that Ameri- cans are just as able to act in defense of what they believe to be right, and to make any sacrifice of life. property or anything else save honor, In de- fense of their homes and firesides. as | any people on earth.
 We have now seventy old soldiers in our Home at Mountain Creek Eight of them are in "a cottage called The | Blue and the Grey This cottage Is painted blue and trimmed with grey. | I received mary contributions from members of the c. A. R. and to these were added contributions from ex-Con- | federates, and with these two sums the | Blue and the Grey cottage was built.
 My continued and extreme illness prevented me from meeting with YOU | at your last meeting. I am now hope full that my health will be fully re- stored. and If so, I shall certainly join yon at your next annual meeting.
 With very great regard. I remain. Yours very truly.