The San Francisco call., 1908-09-01
G. A. R. MAY MEET
IN SALT LAKE CITY
National Encampment of the
Veterans of the Civil War
Begins at Toledo
California Delegation Takes a
Very Prominent Part in
the Deliberations


TOLEDO, O.. Aug. 31.-The. California
departments held caucus this after
noon and decided almost unanimously
to support Salt Lake City for-the forty
third national encampment of the G. A.
R. Although Washington, d. c., seems
TO have a large preference among the
eastern and midelle state delegations,
owing to the dedication of the Stephen
son monument there next year, it has
not landed the encampment by any
means. In fact, Washington does not
seem TO want it, and many delegates
say that unless washington comes for
ward with an official Invitation they
viii throw the support to Salt Lake
City. Seattle and Pittsburg are also
after the next encampment.
For commander in chief the Califor-
mia delegation are badly split. About
half of the members of the delegation
are in favor of Henry Nevius of Red
Bank, n. j., while the remainder are
split between Colonel Dickinson of Chi
cago and former Governor Van SAINT of
Minnesota. Professor Young is leading
the Nevius forces, while Colonel Green is
carrying on Van SAINTS campaign. All
the California boys are well and in good
quarters.
This is the best encampment we
have ever held" said Colonel Green.
Toledo has fairly outdone herself both
in decoration and her hospitality in en-
tertaining the veterans
The California delegates this after
noon took a trip around the historic
Maumee valley, returning in time to at
tend the grand reception which was
held in honor of Commander in Chief
Burton by the civic and women's soci-
eies of this city. The first death oc-
Cured in the ranks of the G. A R. to-
night, when James Bennett, an In
diana veteran, died from heart failure.
On special and regular trains veter-
ans are constantly arriving, with their
wives, families and friends, for week
of reunion. During the day the pro-
gram called for nothing save the re-
newal of old acquaintances. Tonight
the formal reception to. visitors took
place, when Mayor Brand Whitlock de-
livered the address of welcome. The
banner day of the encampment will
come on Wednesday, when the G. a. r.
parade will share honors with William
II. Taft. republican candidate for pres
ident; Senator Foraker, Governor Har-
ris and others. The gentlemen men
toned will be rendered a reception on
that day by the Lincoln club and will
review the parade. Governor Wilson
of Kentucky is also expected.
Flags and electric lights in patriotic
design are everywhere and bunting
runs in rivulets along every street in
the business district. The housing of
old soldiers in hotels and private resi-
dences meets with general commenda-
ton.
BY noon thousands of veterans with
yellow badges bearing the names of
their respective states thronged the
streets though in sarcely greater num-
bers than the women of auxiliary as
sociatiOns. Here and there on street
corners or in front of hotels knots of
old soldiers gathered. exchanging in
innate details of half a century his
tory or listening TO some impromptu
soloist roaring some old war song, no
table chiefly for wealth of detail and
the untutored composition of music
California dispensed literally from
its store OF fruit and wine. brought
in two special cars from the Pacific
coast, and Professor George l. Young
of that state held forth for few pa
thetic moments in a reference to the
widows for whom there were no re-
unions To husbands and sweethearts
they had said: Go. when duty calls"
he said. and for. them: there was no
great reunion, only sad memories"
alone in their forgotten homes