River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-08-16
c. 4. R. HOSTS
At Minneapolis
VETERANS COMPLETELY CAP
TURE THE CITY. STREETS
ARE THRONGED.
City Arises to the Occasion with a
Spirit that is Commemorate and is
Receiving Compliments on Every
Hand for Kindness.

Receiving Compliments on Every
Hand for Kindness.
Minneapolis, Aug. 15.-The Grand
Army of the Republic is encamped in
the streets and homes of Minneapolis.
The army of occupation has been
| pouring in at the rate of thousands
every hour, and the city has surrend-
cred, horse, foot and dragons. to the
gallant old boys in the blue coats.
They are here with their wives, their
children and their grand children. and
with thousands of loyal admirers
drawn from every state in the union
to witness the stirring sights
The union and Milwaukee stations
We're the busiest. each handling the
trains of several lines. The union sta
ton, which is the terminus of five
lines and about fifteen divisions, regis
tered $4,000 eXcursionists by p. m.
The Milwaukee station, handling the
trains of three roads, had turned out
$4,000 passengers. while the ST. Louis,
Great Western and 500 line local sta
tions had added between $4,000 and
10000 people,
Everything is in readiness for them,
The carefully prepared machinery for
the care and accommodation of the
visitors is working like a charm. Ev-
erybody, strangers and MinneapolitanS,
is happy. Even the sun seemed happy
as he rose to welcome the early ar
rivals. The weather man has been
on his best behavior and promises to
stay there He has averaged LOG in
department for three days now and
is promised a medal if he falls no
lower until the encampment IS over.
There will be rooms for all. The
heavy early rush almost caught the
eating houses asleep, but they are
ready now. Provision houses plan to
remain open all the week, day and
night, and will assist the restaurant
men.
The health and comfort of the Wis
itors are carefully watched by the
medical service, assisted by the Sons
of Veterans Red Cross. Dozens of
cases are cared for at the emergency
hospital every hour. This service will
be at it's best and of great assistance
on Wednesday while the downtown
streets are thronged with people watch
ing the parade.
Everything in connection with the
encampment, as far as Minneapolis is
concerned, is centered in executive
headquarters, 500 Hennepin avenue, in
the West hotel where the central or
ganization has its fingers on the pulse
of general affairs and directs every
movement of the carefully planned ma
chine.
So many of the delegates to the ma
tional encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic are now in the city
that, Notwithstanding the fact that the
regular sessions of the encampment
will not begin until Thursday, some
fairly definite idea may be had as
to what the interesting and more i'm
portant matters are that will engage
the encampment's attention.
Two topics, already being discussed
informally and at times with consid-
cradle heat, promise to overtop every
thing else that the encampment will
consider. One of these relates to the
newly enacted law driving the can
teens out of soldiers homes, and the
other to the movement in the south to
erect a bronze statue to Captain
Henry Wirz, notorious as the COM
mander of Andersonville prison.
Corporal Tanner, as commander
to justify his reputation for advanced
radcalism. He has for months been
leading a movement in favor of action
this week cenSuring congress for the
law abolishing canteens at soldiers
homes. In this movement he is being
stoutly opposed by the solidified con-
sentative element in the organization,
and the outcome is in doubt. Mr.. Tan
ner is also understood to be actively
interested in opposition to the move
ment in the south looking to the cree
ton OF a monument by Daughters of
the Confederacy over the grave OF
Captain Henri WirZ, in command of
Andersonville prison. What the en-
campment will do regarding this ques-
ton is also uncertain. AS fast as dele
gates arrive they take their positions
as radicals or conservatives on those
two questions. The permanent dele
gates to the encampment, including
nearly all past commanders-in in chief,
past senior and vice commanders in
chief, and a majority of the depart
ment commanders, are understood to
be the rallying center for he conser-
natives.
Minneapolis hospitality and Mime
apolis courtesy to strangers every hour
are winning thousands of friends for
the city and it's people. Other encamp-
ment cities have been complimented
for the care and courtesy displayed by
their citizens, but none. have been
more praised than is Minneapolis.
This hospitality and courtesy is
everywhere noticeable. Veterans are
given the precedence everywhere-on
the streets, in streetcars, in restau-
rants The sturdy men who wear the
little bronze button always have the
first call. On the streetcars women
as well as men give the veterans and
their wives seats and volunteer any
assistance in their power. No Mime
apolis person has refused to give in
formation or assistance when a veter-
an, or in fact any visitor, has asked
it.
A sad incident occurred to mar the
happiness and rejoicing of the open
ing of the encampment. E. " Childs
of Antelope county, Nebraska, wear
led by the exertion of the long jour-
ney. died soon after reaching the city.
Accompanied by his wife he came
to Minneapolis to see the boys once
more, to renew old friendships and
participate in the pleasures of the en-
campment. On their way here the two
planned ahead for the good times they
were to have