Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-07-10


and then he told it all over again by
way of emphasis.
At one o'clock Comrade Pond called
the audience to order, making re
marks appropriate to the occasion
Then there was a prayer, band music
singing. recitations and flag-drills by
young ladies, and talks by some OF
the veterans. Comrades John w
Canes and Charles w. Pettibone, de
partment commander and adjutant
last year. were both present. They
began their department administra-
ton by attending this association last
year. They had so pleasant a time
then that they wished a renewal of the
pleasure. Both gave good talks
along patriotic lines, and with refer
'ence to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. They spoke in high terms of the
work of the Womans Relief Corps.
Mrs. Canes accompanied her hus-
band on this occasion, and she gave
u brief address Astounding in good
patriotic common sense. She had
come to Westfeld for the purpose OF
mstituting there, after the close of
the reunion. a Woman's Relief Corps.
Mrs. Games was chosen at the state
convention in Oshkosh in the early
part of this month, TO be department
president OF the w R. c., and she is
Going about her work in right good
earnest.
The department patriotic instruc-
tor of the G. A. R. was present and
gave a talk along the lines of thought
suggested by his work.
in the evening the crowd was di-
vided large number went to the
hall to see lot of high school stu
dents present play, Uncle Josh
Comes to Town" or something of that
nature. Those who went there said
there was lots of fun in it. Others
went back to the camp ground to an
evening campfire. The principal ad-
dress of this occasion was made by
the Rev. Mr. Trousdale of Madison,
presiding elder of the NJ. z. church.
Mr.. Trousdale reviewed the progress
of our country toward better things
and better conditions. He spoke in
an optimistic tone concerning present
day struggles between right and
wrong, saying that, if men are faith
full, God will surely bring the best
things to pass. He said that between
greed and graft on the one hand and
the unwarrantable interference of
labor unions with the liberty of men
to work when and wher and for what
pay they choose the great middle
class must do it's best to maintain a
proper balance and adjustment of af-
fairs The speaker urged every
Grand Army man to be as valiant
now for things that are good and
right as he was at Gettysburg, Shiloh
or Atlanta
Mr.. Trousdale comes of sturdy. pa
triotic stock He had brothers and
other relatives in the civil war, but
was too young to go into the con
f1ict himself He said he was full OF
patriotic blood, one reason being, he
supposed, that he had never yet
spilled any of it. His talk made a
strong impression. He was followed
by the Rev. Mr.. Ford Methodist pas
tor at Westfield. in brief talk endors
ing heartily what had been said.
The remainder of the campfire SEES
sion was devoted to short talks, by
various comrades, such as the aud
fence chose to call out, and the sing
ing of patriotic songs. The old fel
lows took the liberty of joking one
another pretty freely. AS the pru
gram went on some boys built q
bright fire that so lighted up tbs
space under the overhanging boughs
chat but little Imagination was nee
essary to transfer the scene back tC
war time camp in the woods.
This made it campfire indeed
and as the assembly broke up the com
pany, by the light of matches struck
here and there along the line, filed
along the woodland path, down across
the rustic bridges, up by the silen
Irill and out into the electric lighted
streets. 1t was a campfire long Il
te remembered.
Al a business meeting of the asso
citation it was decided to hold tbs
reunion for 1908 at Coloma station
Waushara county. James Parkins
Company G. 30th Wisconsin, of Col
oma. was chosen president, and La
fayette Bishop. Companies H AMI
of the 10th Wisconsin, also of ColoLla
was made secretary and treasurer
The association has two vice presi
dents from each of the three coun
ties. one a veteran, the other sol
| OF a veteran.
Simeon Pond the outgoing presi
dent, was member Of Company A o
the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery
He enlisted from near Westfield
Augsut Is. 1862. and was mustered
out June &c, 1865, He has been il
rather poor health ever since tbs
war. still he is living W to a good OLD
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