The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-23
HONOR
 SURVIVORS Veterans Guest at Great Annual Occasion. COMPANY FORMED IN 1886 Eleven War Veterans Were
 Present. It Was seventy -third Anniversary 9S the Organization of the Company Merchants Criticized for Dis-
 charging Military Clerks.


 Beventy-third anniversary Monday night according to their custom. with a banquet in honor of the Montgomery Blues Survivors Association, composed of the few gray haired veterans of the company which served in the Confsd- crate army in the desperate days be- tween '61 and '65. The dinner Monday night was the twenty eighth and those present declared it the most enjoyable of the series.
 Preceding their dinner according to their old custom. the Survivors Asso- citation met in the office of Colonel B. NJ. Washburn. Of all the men who were iu the company during it's four years of splendid service in the Con- federate army, there now survive twen- ty-two. Of these eleven were present at the meeting and at the banquet. Captain Frank P. O'Brien, Mayor -elect of Birmingham. and former Senator c. P. Rogers. of Letohatchie. Joseph A. Mitchell of Verbena. came to Montgom : cry to hathe In the atmosphere of the occasion, sacred alike to the Old Blues and to the young men who make np the company today.
 About the board were gathered, too, the men of Reserve Corps of the Blues, men who served In the company during the prize drill days, between the close of the war and the time of the pres ent active company. They were head ed by Colonel A. B. Garland, who ret organized the company after the war and followed It's fortunes through dark and unpromisipg days The Survivors, were no less enth husiastic and loyal to the company and it's traditions than the young men who make up it's active lists today.
 The Survivors Meet
 According to custom the Survivor s Association of the Montgomery True Blues held thcir annual meeting Mon day night at the office of B. M Wash burn. It was the seventy-third ami versary of the organization of Ithe company. its charter having been granted February 22. 1886. It was the twenty eighth meeting of tho Survi- vor's Association.
 The meeting was called to order by President B. N. Washburn. The roll was called by Secretary F. H. Cobb and show twenty-two living of those who were members of the company prior to 1865. The following answered to their names: s. H. Beasley, Henry Bethea, F H. Cobb. c. H. Chandler, Joseph A. Mitchell. F. P. O'Brien, c. P. Rogers, J. R. Stewart, W. W. Screws. H c. washburn, B. M. Wash
 Two have dled since the last meet ing, W. D. Westcott of this city, and Edwin J Lee, former war captain of the company, at his home in Brooklyn A beautiful tribute to their memory was offered by Frank P OBrien and adopted by rising vote.
 The old officers were elected as fol- lows: B. M. Washburn. President; C. P. Rogers, Vice-President, and F. H. Cobb, Secretary and Treasurer
 At S:80 o'clock the active Montgom- cry True Blues appeared at the sur vvors meeting, and Captain w. F. Weiss briefly stated the present fine condition of the company and invited the survivors to the banquet given ev- cry year by the active company to those who remain of the olden days Under escort of the fuli company they proceeded to Yung's banquet hall.
 The banquet was In Yungs large dining hall and 1t was served in his best style. Major E. F. -Baber a for mer captain of the Bfues. and man In the traditions of the com pany, made an ideal toastmaster. He knew them all. the active Blues, the in- dividual members of the Reserve Corps. and the honored Survivors, who sat about the table and heard them selves toasted by the younger men.
 The officers of the other military or ganizations of Montgomery gladly seiz- ed the opportunity of participating in the pleasures of the rare occasion. The entire active membership of the True Blues were about the table and they were unsparing in their applause and their enthusiasm. When the evening was over, the young men and the old m A hot T the Blues had ever had in the twenty eight years.
 With Major Baber in the toastmas- ter's place and "on the iob," the fun began early. He opened with a happy and felicitation to the gray haired veterans, who went with the Blues to war nearly fifty years ago He pointed out that this company which had served in every war since the Indian War of 1896, was the oldest organization in Montgomery.
 He called on Captain W. F. Weiss the efficient commander of the present It was a source of pride to him. Captain Weiss said to be connect nd with company which honored it's older members as the Montgomery True Blues did. To the active mem oers of the company. the highest and most pleasing duty was to honor the Veterans who had served in the Con- 'ederate Army. Since 1886 the com oany has been in continuous existence md its members had borne themselves IS men on every occasion
 The Great Day.
 >~Colonel B. M. Washburn was called 'n 10 respond to the welcome.
 This Is the great day of the year 70 us." he said. "1t Is our happiest In our daily life were are 'eparated some of us in Montgomery md some of us in other places, but on his occasion we come together-we meet again-we renew our love. An. | 'oys until you are old you will never Inow what 1t means-you will never | ,now the beauty of such an occasion"
 Colonel A. B. Garland, who was in- | reduced by Toastmaster Baber as mo "who revived and resurrected the 1 company after the dark days of the var" was like Colonel Washburn. | .reeted with great enthusiasm. Colonel | iarland went quickly to point which | vas later touched upon by every other peaker and 1t was q point in which 1 II the volunteer soldiers felt a deep interest. He had beard that Montgom- | " merchants had discharged some Of | he clerks because they had gone to lilitary encampments. He denounced [ uch a selfish and short t-sighted policy. nd his remarks met with hearty an royal. Incidentally he revived some f the older memories of the company nd paid a high tribute to Judge Steve 'easley, who as a Survivor, was pres mt. and for the valuable aid Judge 'easley gave him when he went out T Montgomery and raised money to uy uniforms for the Blues when they ad no money.
 Captain E. H. Jackson, of the Mont