The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-23
FOR COMMANDER.
That Is the Fight Before the
Big G. A. R. Encampment.
p. H. COney of Topeka a Prom
inent Figure in the Race.
LELAND BEHIND HIM.
Col. H. H. Carr of Wichita Has
a Very Strong Following.
Woman's Relief Corps Is After
the Offices Also.
LELAND BEHIND HIM.

| Parsons, Kas., May 23.-The
twenty-fourth annual encampment of
the Grand Army for the department
of Kansas commenced here last night
with grand reception to General W.
W. B1ackmar, national department
commander, held in the Elks theater
and attended by 1900 persons. After
the reception the opening camp fire
was held and the address of welcome
was made by c. H. Kimball of this
place and responded to by Charles
Harris, department commander, who
introduced General Blackmar, who
made the address of the evening.
Other members of the national Grand
Army made short addresses.
The first session of the encampment
VIII be held today. and the election
OF ofncers will be Wednesday. There
is an effort being made, however, to
hold the election today by some of the
candidates who fear the strength be-
ing shown by the friends of P. H.
COney of Topeka, who arrived last
evening and is urged to make a cam
paign for department commander.
Coney says that he will not make a.
campaign for the office but if elected
he will serve. Among. those who are
urging his candidacy are A. w. Smith
of Mcpherson, Cyrus Leland and
George Case of Mankato.
Just now Colonel H. H. Carr of
Wichita probably has the strongest
following for department commander
and several persons from Hutchinson
and Wichita arrived last night and are
urging his election. The Third dis
trict is supporting W. F. GriersOn of
this place and he has some following
from other parts of the state. The
state reunion probably will be held at
Hutchinson in August. An effort is
making by the friends of the present
department commander, Charles
Harris, to make the race for re-elec-
ton. They urge in support of his can
didacy that the order has gained in
membership during his term in spite
of the fact that there have been more
than 500 deaths in the order during
that time. Harris has not yet said
that he will not be a candidate, but
will accept if elected
Outside the contest for department
commander perhaps more interest
centers around the election of depart
ment president of the Woman's Relief
corps than for any other Office. There
are three candidates for this, Mrs
Madge z. Long of Jetmore, Mrs. Mary
Buckner of Wichita and Mrs. Anna
HeacOck of Parsons. Mrs. Long is,
perhaps, the best known of the candi-
dates. She was a candidate last wear
and was defeated by Mrs. Apple. She
was department inspector under Mrs
Witzel and for eight years has been
prominent in department work She
was postnistress at BeIleville, was
also postmistress of the house during
the last legislature. Mrs. Buckner is
the wife of a lawyer and her friends
say that she is in every way qualified
for the Office, but she is handicapped
by a leading candidate for department
commander coming from the same
town, and the same is true regarding
Mrs. Heacock.
There is little talk regarding other
candidates in the corps with the ex-
caption of treasurer, for which ONCE
there are five candidates. Mrs. Dora
Wieman of Wamego is a candidate for
reelection and others who are in the
race are Mrs. Sarah Penny of Topeka
Miss Mary Smith of Salina, Mrs Par
ker of Arkansas City and Mrs. Strine
of Independence.
There are little politics on the sur
face in the Ladies of the G. A. r., and
If would not surprise the wise ones if
the present department president
Mrs. Mary E. While of Ottawa, was
elected unanimously.