The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-05-15

Columbia to assemble in the theatre.
and in a drill which was by far the
most beautiful part of the reunion
entertained the old soldiers with
songs, &C., which brought forth
storms Of applause from the audience,
the largest, perhaps, ever seen on any
occasion in the opera house. Prof.
Dreher and his assistants certainly
deserve all manner of praise for get
ting in such delightful and enterest-
ing exercise for this occasion.
On Wednesday the presentation of
sponsors and maids of honor was
made by that gifted, talented and
honored son, Col. Geo. Bell Thinner
man, of Lexington. The scene on
the stage was one beautiful to behold.
Lovely women and handsome gowns
greeted the eye on every side, and
more beautiful and attractive set of
young women could not be found in
any part Of this broad land. Mr..
Zimmerman was greatly handicapped
by severe cold, his voice being
husky and he delivered his Grafton
with exceedingly great difficulty.
However, it was one Of the finest and
best speeches delivered and caused
the old soldiers and sponsors to cheer
his almost every word.
Miss Grace Lumpkin, a worthy des-
cendent of family of orators, spoke
in behalf of the sponsors. During
her speech the old soldiers rose in
their seats, clapped their hands and
yelled and yelled until the very roof
Of the house responded to the cheer
ing. Miss Lumpkin is young woman
Of charming personality, and is one
of the finest lady orators in the South
and is loved by the old soldiers.
A play composed wholly of Colum-
bias talent, For Her Country's
Sake was presented. This comedy
drama was written by Mr.. E. B.
Clarke, Of Columbia, and every part
was well rendered, the old soldiers
greatly enjoying the performance.
Thursday the annual address to the
veterans was delivered by that yen-
cradle gentleman, Rev. DR.. J. VIM.
Finn, of Columbia, who, in q speech
Of two hours, held the large audience
spellbound with his wonderful flow of
oratory. He was loudly applauded
throughout his discourse.
Att O'Clock the grand parade the
greatest feature Of the occasion-from
the postofice to the state house steps.
The old veterans, headed by the mill
tary and band, followed by the spon-
sors and their maids in carriages, was
indeed 9 picturesque sight. A very
unique feature, and one that cannot
be commended too highly, was the
wagons, loaded with the old crippled
veterans, who were unable to fall in
the line of march, drawn by several
Of the students of the University of
South Carolina, As the boys pulled,
the old soldiers yelled, and the boys
responded with the college Rah, Rah,
Carlo! lima! When the parade reached
the state house steps the old soldiers
were greeted by hundreds of young
children, who were heavy laden with
flowers and flags, forming picture
that cannot be described in words
After the business session at 9
O'Clock the Confederate War Tab
leaux and Camp Scenes" was pre-
sented in the opera house by local tai
ent headed by Col. E. B. Clark, and a
number of old soldiers, with their
tents. This was indeed real picture,
and the presentation was perfect.
The annual reunion ball at Craven
Hall was the best ever held at these
reunions. The young women were
elegantly gowned, the music was
good, the banquet superb, and old
soldiers, their wives, sons, daughters
and sweethearts, danced until two
O'Clock, when to the tune of Dixie
rendered by the band brought to a
close one of the most successful and
largest attended reunions in the his
tory of South Carolina.
a Correction.
TO the Editor of the Dispatch:
t. &Lo - ha OF