New-York tribune., 1908-09-01
VETERANS JAM TOLEDO
Opening of 4ed annual Encamp-
ment of the O.. Il. r.

Toledo Aug. s1.-A sweltering. crushed and
ritated person. who had struggled through the
hordes of encampment visitors tonight. estimated
the strangers within the city gates at round
billion This exaggeration however, for
Adjutant General Scott. OF Illinois. who IS judge
of crowds, declared that there not more than
half that number, seemingly. Inquiry at the vari-
Gus headquarters where newcomers report for as
signment to quarters indicated the presence Of a
sufficient number of out-of-town people TO swell
Toledo's 200 900 to 100000
What with the illumination OF the downtown
streets. the Venetian Night the river. and the
public reception BY the local committee and Com
mander in Chief Burton. and numerous attractions
marking the FORMAL opening of the fortysecond
campment of the Grand Army of the Republic. the
downtown streets were wellnigh impossible. Street
cars with their windows full Of the protruding
shoulders of pent-up passengers, moved at snaiTs
pace within a few feet of each other. Automobiles
We're no less hampered for the streets were alive
with them. Fife and drum corps. brass bands.
rivng delegations and squ-ds On sightseers blocked
the pavements from curb to curb. Street orators,
side shows, catch penny devices and the ike gath
cred their crowds and made It that the
boundaries of the city had suddenly contracted and
squeezed the whole population into the compass OF
few blocks
Colonel William NJ. Scott, Of Atlanta. Junior vice
commander with Mrs. Scott arrived during the
night. and expressed himself pleased at the
merical strength of the Southern States despite
discouragng railroad rates.
There a great many more members OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic in the South than
most people think said Colonel Scott IT recently
completed trip among the posts Of Georgia. Ala
bama and Tennessee. and found them in a flourish
ing condition.
Colonel Scotts chief interest IN the encampment
lies in effort to make provision for the proper
decoration and maintenance OF the graves OF North
ern soldiers, particularly in the South. when the
last veteran shall have passed away This work
nd ia
his desire that the at this encampnnent take
some action which will perpetuate an organization
having this work among it's duties.
The story of how a protruding door Of freight
broke four windows of one of the Nebraska
special developed to-day from the visit Of two
excited veterans to local newspaper office They
reported that the train about twenty miles
from Toledo yesterday afternoon bomb was
thrown through the window and the interior OF the
car badly damaged Investigation showed that
there no bomb, but that door OF passing
freight car had swung out. and when the passenger
train passed the door hit the side of one OF the
passenger coaches. No one was hurt
'rWhere'u find the Massachusetts, boys? asked
a arrival from Illinois of a newsboy guide To-
day
IF he's from Massachusetts, you'll probably find
him at the Maine quarters or with your own bunch
It's awful the way they mix up; US guides have
our troubles
The boy weariIy pointed to the passing crowd OF
new arF1valS-RennSyIVdnld pTouu oi INC O~SA'o4i0
in their caps; New Workers. veterans from Iowa.
Nebraska a large number OF whom had been de-
Iayed by a wreck ahead Of them; Oregon, WASH
ington. Louisiana, Alaban Illinois, Dela"are
Florida Georgia South Carolina Indiana Ken
tucky Maine, Minnesota, electioneering Tor ex-
Governor vanssnt for commander in chief; Mchi-
gan New Jersey, which expects to elect Colonel
Henry NJ Nevius to the leadership Of the organi-
zation, and others
There was a amentable lack Of system IN the
concourse according the boys point OF view. but
# suited the old boys In blue TO ringle South with
North, and East and West with both
At the various headquarters. needless Of the per
plexites of the boy guides there endless hand
shaking and hospitality in the shifting crowds At
noon Illinois was outnumbered in It's own rooms
nv Iowa and later by Indiana, but these two states
were in their turn overwhelmed by Illinois 10 the
hearty satisfaction Of all concerned California
dispensed literally its store Of fruit and wine.
brought in two special cars from the Pacific Coast,
and Professor George Young, OF that state. held
forth TO reporters for few pathetic moments of
the widows for whom there reunions To
husbands and sweethearts they had said Go
when duty called he said and for them there was
no glad reunion, only sad memories alone of their
forgotten homes.
The banner day of the encampment will come on
"Wednesday when the Grand Army of the Republic
nsrade will share honors with william II. Taft.
Republican candidate for President; Senator For
aker Governor Harris and others. The gentlemen
mentioned will be guests OF honor at reception on
that day bv the Lincoln Club and will review the
parade Governor Wilson of Kentucky is also
expected.