The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-09-23
Y, Jo1liRe, CorTespo nd EN-. J
MANNnNGToNi Sept. 20.

Crank ". olliRe, CorTesp pond ent:
BENNINGTON Sept. 20.
Saturday I Great pay At MannInston.
The second DAY q the soldiers re-
union was 4 great day for Mannigton:
There Ras,a large crowd here besides
the old soldiers. The bands were va
THE streets early playing patriotic mu-
sic and kept the people in good humor
an the time. The Woodmen's band Of
this city, furnished the band music
and the two drum corps were busy all
the time and always attracted large
crowds. There is something about mar.
tial music that stirs the blood Of the
American people more than anything
else. By ten o'clock there was a large
crowd on the streets and the old sol
diers led by the band and the drum
corps began to front for the procession
on Clarksburg street in front of the
school building. The line Of march
had been arranged by Capt. shroyer,
who had been here since Thursday ar
ranging all the details Of the march.
He was chief marshal and much Of
the success Of the parade Is due to his
interest in the matter. He had ar.
ranged for short march as some of
the old soldiers were feeble. AS an
nounced by Colonel MILAN there were
no horses In the parade and all the
old soldiers fell in line promptly, and
when the bands began to play they be-
gan to shaighten up and looked and
felt ten years younger. Benz. Gill, who
is almost one hundred years old, head.
ed the veterans and made the complete
march in good shape. There were
many of the old soldiers over eighty
years old and but few OF them less
than seventy. While the parade was
forming in front Of the'schoOl building
some short speeches we're made by the
veterans to their old comrades which
were very touching, and W. j. Kerns,
of Grangeville, made most patriotic
and eloquent speech. He is a speaker
of rare ability and on occasions like
this captiyates the people,
AT about 1890 as the procession be.
gan to move down Clarksburg street
to Water street, headed by the drum
corps, followed by the six hundred
children of the public school, every
child waving an American flag, was
an inspiring sight. The Woodmen's
band led the children and gave some
fine patriotic music. 1t was an unusu-
al parade and one that will not soon
be forgotten. Leading the procession
were thee ID veterans leaning heavily
were the cd veterans leaning heavily
primary department of the public
school, mere babies, all marching to
the sane mg'c. Much credit is due
Superintendent McBee and bis corps of
teachers for the interest they took in
this matter and although school has
only been in session one week the chill
dren marched like veterans. Is 1t any
wonder that the United States can put
mighty army IN motion on a mo-
ments notice? They are all patriotic,
made so by these occasions, and can
march at any time. These veterans
made It possible to have the public
school in West Virginia; there were
no public schools here before the civ
| IL war, and to teach these children
these great lessons OF liberty and love
Of country. The veterans Of the civil
war made all this possible. All honor
to them.
On the return of the parade to the
public school grounds the veterans op-
ened ranks and the school children
marched between the two lines Of vet
Grams and such cheering as they did
while the children marched by. What
lesson in patriotism. These children
will never forget it.
This was the first reunion Of the
soldiers ever held in Warrington and
the people Of the city were delighted