The Delta independent., 1907-09-13
WESTERN SLOPE
VETERANS AT DELTA
Enthusiastic, Harmonious and Sue
CessfuI Meeting.

ooohho VI IioI IluoiS, thS "h6
of veterans Of our wars particularly
of that greatest of all civil wars-have
filled Delta this week with recollections
of bygone days. The veteran ranks
are thinning year by year. and another
decade will almost complete roll call
for the remnant of the vast army who
fought for the preservation of the
Union. Their reunion here from their
various Western Slope homes, was Il
happy one from every standpoint. AS
the more serious part of age is reached,
there may be less of youthful hilarity
apparent. but, if possible. there is
more of earnest comradsh!p in the
hearty grasp of the hand. Delta has
extended her best welcome to these
heroes whom all admire. The youth of
delight to do them honor. Older ones
respect them to a degree of almost
worship. The country reveres them as
its citizens of honor. And because of
their reunion here this week. Delta has
been honored above any city in the
state.
Because of misunderstanding re-
gardiRg rates by the railroads. many of
the veterans did not arrive in Delta
until Tuesday. though a fair represen-
tation came in Monday and the program
of that day was successfully carried
out. In the evening DR.. rockingham
delivered an eloquent address of well
come. He was followed by Captain
Anderson in response on behalf of
Western Slope Veterans which was re-
pletc with appreciative acknowledge
ment. Hon. Lyman |. Henry Of Pueblo
was then introduced and delivered the
principal address. Mr.. Henry is a very
pleasant speaker, eloquent, earnest and
impressive. His language was well
chosen and his culogics of the veterans,
their work, their lives and their citi-
zcnship, was a splendid tribute to his
dignified hearers. The women of the
Relief Corps also were given their high
share of praise, they having been the
hcroincs of desolated homes while their
husbands were the heroes of desperate
ly fought battles.
The meeting of the Western Slope
Veterans Association was success
and visitors were strong in praise of
the hospitality extended by Delta and
Delta citizens.
At the business meeting Tuesday the
reports of officers were read and on
motion adopted. Communications were,
with one exception, ordered filed with
out public reading.
Bylaws and order of business were
read by sections and adopted.
The following officers were elected
for the ensuing year: Harvey S. Groves
of Fruita, president; Comrade Vosburg
of Grand Junction, vice-prcsidert; Com
radc Jones Of Fruita, secretary; Com
rade Dowden of Grand Junction. treas
urcr; Comrade Reynolds of Hotchkiss.
officer of the day; Comrade G. w.
Mathews of Delta. chaplain.
The paradcs were fine and the mar
tial music by the Grand Junction drum
corps of Post 35. was soul-stirring.
For the drilling contests. banner
prizes were awarded, first to Geo. B.
Mcclellan Post, Delta and second to
Grand junction Post. A flag was
awarded to each grade of the Delta
district schools. whose 700 children
paraded between the long files of vet
erans.
This parade was one of the prettiest
u,,o,o nf III, ooon,,ot;,, ,,a,t Tb,
horde of children were brightly dressed
and each carried flag. which they
waved while marching and cheering the
old soldiers cheering in response. Many
of these veterans felt their hearts too
far up in their throats to permit of
vociferous cheering for they saw the
perpetuity of their own undying patri-
otism pouring forth in joyful cadence
from all these young throats, and tears
of actual happiness could be seen cours-
ing their way down many sun-tanned
cheek.
The addresses on the programe for
second day were all delivered, those by
Rev. Hayworth and Judge King being
especially eloquent and appropriate in
their general and eulogistic utterances.
The Woman's Relief Corps did their
large share in making the veterans
meeting success, and to them AS well
as to the citizens Of Delta and to Nc
Clellan Post, the Association rendered
its thanks.
In the matter of handling the Sol