The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-05-15
ANNUAL REUNION
OF Old VETERANS.

ANNUAL REUNION
OF Old VETERANS.
thousands Of Old Soldiers Enjoy the,
Generous Hospitality of South Car.
oiina's Proud Capitol Beautiful
8 Women and Handsome Gowns
Reisned Supreme a Glorious Time.
There has been much said about the
old soldiers reunion, many kicks have
been made and unjust criticisms of
! the Kind and ever generous hospital
ity Of the good men and women Of
Golnmbia, whose efforts were tireless
81 doing all IN their power to make:
The men Of the lost causen feel that
t was good to have once more gather
ed together in South Cardinals proud
capitol.
On our arrival Tuesday morning at
III o'clock we found the city all astir
with old soldiers mingled with thou
sands OF the younger set who always
attend TO do honor by their presence
to the old veterans. AS would natur-
ally Be supposed on occasions Of this
kind, everybody was anxious to find
where they were to be stationed dur
Sing their stay and too much praise
cannot be accorded to that prince Of
good fellows, Mr.. n. o. Pyles. who
shas always taken an active part in
! the old soldiers, and is, indeed, an in
dispensable man to the city Of Colum1,
/ sbis On all occasions, whether it be the
old soldiers reunion or some other
large gathering, in managing the
burean Of information. He knows,
perhaps, more people In Columbia
th=n any other man, and his genial
pleasant manner in dealing with all
classes makes him q general favorite.
Every old soldier crowded into his
ofice and some we're assigned to
homes, while others we're given tents
with ample paraphernalia to make
tent HE enjoyable and the old soldiers
sleep sweet. They were also given
badges Of recognition and it was not
long before the men went their way
rejoicing. ss
q The opening exercises Of the an
nual reunion did not open until 10
O'Clock Wednesday In the CoIumbia
theatre, whent the Rev. ". B. Gordon,
chaplain of the South Carolina di-
vision, asked the blessings Of almighty
( God upon the assemblage, after which
Mayor T. H. Gibbes, on behalf Of Co
lnmbia, welcomed the old soldiers,
] throwing the gates Of the city open
wide. Mayor Gbbes was followed by
Capt. Willie Jones, president Of the
Chamber Of Commerce, in an able
address, giving the old soldiers .
warm welcome on behalf of the busi-
ness men, who compose the Chamber
scf Commerce.
On behalf Of the Sons of Confederate
Veterans, Hon. Porter A. McMaster
delivered an eloquent and soul-stir-
ring address, which made every old
soldier and their sons feel proud Of
each other; then Col. u. r Brooks,
Of Camp Hampton made the old sol
adiers feel that they were welcome
to Columbia, in his usual happy and
pleasing manner.
By the way, this is the first tine
that Governor Ansel has had the
opportunity Of speaking to the old
soldiers in South Cardinals capitol,
and as the chief executive Of the
State and in behalf of South Carolina
he made feeling address, telling Of
the many deeds of valor at home of
the true and noble wives and daugh-
tiers while their husbands and sons
were on the field of battle fighting for
their eountry's sake, which brought
tears to the eyes os many of his hear
ers and was the most eloquent speech
of them all. At the close of his ad-
dress, proper, Gov. Ansel invited the
old soldiers to the executive mansion
at o'clock, where he assured them
it would be his and Mrs. Ansel's good
pleasure to entertain them. Many
took advantage of the governors
kind invitation and were pleased with
the hearty welcome at the mansion.
In response to all the speeches of
welcome, Maj. Thos. W. Carwile re-
sponded on the part of all the old
soldiers and sons of veterans and as
sured Columbia that they
appreciated the kind hospitality that
had always been accorded them by
the good people of that city.
Prof. Ernest Dreher at O'Clock
had number of the children and