Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-30
VETERANS ENTERTAIN
SPANISH WAR SOLDIERS HAVE
THANKSGIVING CAMPFIRE.

The Spanish War Veterans of the Depart
ment of the District of Columbia celebrated
Thanksgiving eve in genuine soldier fash
ion last night at campfire at headquar-
tiers, Il9 9th street northwest The function
was given compliment to the general
membership by the committee in charge of
the military concert and entertain
| ment to be given by the organi-
cation next Sunday evening at the
National Theater. AS usual when the
Spanish War Veterans have campfire OF
other entertainment. the scheme of decora-
ton included profusion of American flags,
while patriotic music was participated in
by all present at both the opening and
closing of the affair, as patriotism is the
foundation on which this association of SOL
diers is builded.
The assembling e filled the hall to it's capac-
ity and included representatives from the
seven camps in the District besides mem
bers of other patriotic bodies. Department
Adt. G. e. Rausch announced the purpose
of the meeting and introduced as master of
ceremonies Capt. G.. Leyburn Shorey. past
commander of John Jacob Aston Camp
Capt. Shorey states that the military band
concert and entertainment to be given at
the National Theater next Sunday night
will be for the double purpose of replcn-
ishing the relief fund of the department.
besides furnishing the nucleus of fund to
campment of the Spanish War Veterans, to
b., held here next October.
Consolidation of Organizations.
Mr.. F. S. Moore of Fitchburg, Mass,
member of the Legion of Spanish War
Veterans of that state, was introduced to
the assemblage. He delivered an earnest
address in favor of the consolidation with
the United Spanish War Veterans of the
remaining organizations of Spanish war
soldiers who are still without the fold.
He said the legion, which has approx
mately $500 members in the New Eng
land states, stands ready ito meet the
United Spanish War Veterans half way
with the view of amalgamation.
All societies of soldiers of the war
with Spain and the Instruction in the
Philippines" said Mr.. Moore, should
unite in one grand, invincible body like
the Grand Army of the Republic"
Capt Harry Walsh. who served his
country in both Cuba and the Philippines,
was the next speaker. He urged har
mony and unity and related several funny
stories. which were greeted with hearty
laughter.
. Department Commander John Lewis
Smith spoke of the approaching enter
ta1nment and urged the members to bend
every effort toward making it a success.
Capt. Sheridan Ferree and Capt. j. Lyon
King spoke along the same lines.
Maj. j. II. Slime, president of the United
States Historical Society, who occupied
post of honor on the platform,~was intro
duced- He was greeted with hearty ap-
plause and said:
The American soldier has the proudest
record, in my opinion, in the history OF
the world. Look at his work in the revo-
luton, war of 1872, Mexican war; civil
war and Spanish-American war and you
will see work that is being felt to the
uttermost ends of the earth. The banner
of freedom and liberty is being carried
to every nation and will cheer the hearts
of the lowly and oppressed and make the
hearts of the downtrodden glad"
Capt. e. l.. Cogan, department inspector,
spoke encouragingly as to the outlook OF
the organization in the District and gen.
orally. Mr.. Henry Foster told several
good stories and Mr.. John e. Hagan
spoke to the soldiers in his happest vein.
The refreshment committee, under the
lead of Mr.. jeremiah A. Costello. was
kept busy throughout serving cigars and
refreshments, liquid and solid. to the as
semblage. During the evening music was
furnished by the Hutchinson Quartet,
consisting OF E l.. Hutchinson, Doc. Mitch
ell and T. A. Hutchinson.