St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-09-18
G. A. R. National Convention.

At the National G. A. R. Encampment
held at Saratoga last week the following
officers were elected: Charles G. Burton
of Nevada, Mo-, commander-in-chief;
Lewis c. Griffith, Troy, senior vice-com-
mander William M. Scott, Atlanta,
Junior vice-commander; Dr. T. Lane
Tannehill, Baltimore, surgeon-general (;
Bishop Samuel Fallows, Chicago, chap
lain-in-chief.
The Women's Relief Corps elected Mrs.
Kate E. Jones of New York city national
president. The Ladies OF the Grand
Army of the Republic elected as their
national president presiding officer, Mrs.
Clara L. Sawyer of South Portland, Me.
The report of Adjutant General Joseph
w. O'Neall shows that the membership
of the Grand Army of the Republic on
June 80, 1906, was 222,74S based on
returns from all but eight states,
Georgia, Idaho, Indian Territory, New
Mexico and North Dakota, from which
no returns have been received. The high
water mark of members in the army was
reached in 1890 when 409, 489 were en-
rolled. Since that time death has
rapidly depleted the ranks of the aged
veterans and General O'NealPs report
shows that 9,052 members died in the
last twelve months. The report shows
that $500 old soldiers joined the G. A. R.
during the year. The total number of
posts in the army is now 1916. General
O'Neall reports that $95,314 has been
expended for relief during the year.
A bugle blown by Benjamin F Simonds
of Troy, N. Y, who sounded the alarm
when the Merrimac was first sighted at
Newports News, called the annual en-
campment campfire to order. Among.
the speakers were Harlan ]. Swift OF
Rochester, department commander OF
New York state, Gen. Louis Wagner OF
Philadelphia, past commandments,
Gen. John c. Black of Washington, past
commander-in-chief, and Bishop Samuel
Fallows of Chicago, the newly elected
chaplain-in-chief.
AS result of the parade Wednesday
two veterans died: Ensign S. Ounce,
past commander of John E. Griswold
Post of Troy, N. Y, was stricken on
Broadway and soon expired. Heart dis
ease superinduced by exposure and over
exertion caused his death. Eli S. Robin
son of New York city died at his boarding
house.
Toledo Ohio, was selected for the next
encampment. The date will be fixed by
the national council of administration.
One event of the meeting was the
presentation to Col. A. c. Brown Of
Montpelier by Comrade Henry B. Meigs
of Baltimore, member of Company K
of the 18th, of gold badge of beautiful
design, embellished with diamonds and
other precious stones. Col. Brown is
commander of the department of Yer
mont G. A. R., and was lieutenant
colonel of the 18th. He resides in Mont
pelier and is a hale veteran, who achiev.
ed an enviable war record and who has
since been a conspicuous figure in Yer
mont as a 6nancier and man of affairs
The presentation speech of Comrade
Meigs was an eloquent tribute to Colonel
Browns worth as soldier and as a
man. The colonel was taken completely
by surprise, but made an earnest and
appreciative response. Seated upon the
platform were his daughter, Mrs. Ella
Brown Bailey and his granddaughter
Mrs. Bliss, both of Montpelier.
The badge is the gift to Col. Brown o.
his comrades of the 18th in recognition
of his hard work, loyalty and devotion
to the order.
Before adjourning the encampment
adopted the report of the committee on
resolutions which recommended legisla
ton by Congress authorizing the cree
ton of soldiers hospital in the vicinity
of the Gulf of Mexico, increasing widows
pensions of $12 per month, providing q
suitable memorial for the soldiers and
sailors Of the northern army who were
in the south when the war began and die
not Join the southern forces, and direct
ing that widows OF soldiers who lie II
the national cemetery may be buried
beside their husbands. These recon-
mendations will be incorporated in bills
to be presented to Congress.
A resolution was adopted directing the
new commander-in-chieft to name a com
mittee consisting of one member from
each department, to prepare plans iol