The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-18
VETERANS MEET
IN MONTGOMERY.
First Day of State Reunion
Finds Large Crowd
Conner WELCOMES CROWD
Death Rate Among Veterans Is is Per
Cent-AII Brigade Commanders
Re-elected-Sons Also In
Convention.
Conner WELCOMES CROWD

Montgomery, November 17.--(Special)-
The first day of the 1909 reunion of tho
Alabama Confederate veterans found
large crowd in the city and when the
meeting was called to order at noon to-
day by Adj. Gen. Harvey e. Jones the
auditorium was filled to about its ca
pacity with heroes of the Lost Cause
their sons and daughters and many
friends. Women lined the stage and, with
the bright colors of the decorations, added
to the scenic beauty as well as made up
a loneliness of their own persons.
A band in a corner of the hall struck
up Dixie long before the crowd assembled
but those on hand yelled loud response
One old vet. with flag moved about the
room in unison with the music, and at
intervals there would be loud and long
cheering for the dear old tune. Judge
j. b. Fuller of the local committee was
in and out keeping the crowds in hand,
assisted by such veterans as Col. B. M.
Washburne, Capt. George W. Ely and
John Purifoy. Col. Harvey Jones, ad-
jutant general, early on the scene, was
kept busy with the preliminary details
Gov. B. B. Conner, who had been speak
ing in Houston county, hurried back to de-
liver the address of welcome, reaching
the city late In the day. 1t was thought
last night that he would not get here, but
he made a quick jump and reached the
city in ample time to talk, but not to pre-
pare a speech. He was presented as the
governor of a great state and received
general applause when he arose to speak.
Mayor CASTOR Gunter, speaking for the
city, was brief, expressing his pleasure
at the presence of the old heroes and
giving them the keys of the city In all
good faith, with the hope that they have
a fine time and come back any time they
desired, always sure of a welcome.
Capt. j. III. Judkins, speaking for the
veterans of the city, welcomed the guests
In a cordial way, and General Harrison
made reply with much gratitude to them
ALL General Harrison also paid tribute
to the dead of the cause and was Joined
by others in responsive reading of the
ritual in this service to the departed OF
the year and of the past.
The entire programme was interspersed
with music and number of songs. United
States Senator Joseph F. Johnston, who
had a place on the speakers stand, was
called out and spoke to the old veterans
for q short time, recalling the trying
times of the sixties and the good work
they carried on.
In the afternoon Adj Gen. Harvey
Jones reported 81 camps, death rate of Il
per cent for the year and good worn
being done at the old soldiers home.
The brigade commanders were all re-
elected save in the fourth, where A. C.
Oxford of Birmingham succeeds j. w.
Bush of the same city.
In order to give Selma time to invite
the next reunion the selection of the place
was left to the commander. Selma has
the money but is doubtful about house,
but this can be worked out, 1t is thought.
Gen. George P. Harrison was reelected
to the command of the division without
dissent. He was given an ovation by his
old comrades.
The Honored Dead.
Maj W. w. Screws reported for the
committee on memoirs as follows:
With each recurring year the ranks
of the Confederate Veterans, survivors
of q great conflict, are growing thin
ner and timer In the natural order of
providence, 1t will be only few years
until the laSL one Will nave ais Wereu
the final roll call and Joined his COM
rades in a. better and higher land. To
those of us who still survive 1t is a
mournful pleasure to pay tribute TO
the character and virtues of those
who were officially connected with this
division, and who have since last re-
union paid the last debt of nature.
To the memory of:
Chaplain General I. M. Mason Of
Montgomery,
Major r. FL Adams of New Decatur.
Col. Nicholas Stalworth of Ever
green.
Major w. A. Handley of Roanoke.
Major C. A. Lanier of Montgomery.
Major J. M. Beaumont of Union
Springs.
And Major Joseph H. May of Mont
gomery, who were members of the
staff of our commanding officer, the
Alabama United Confederate Veterans,
in annual reunion pay the tribute of
love and affection. They were good
soldiers in time of war, were good
citizens In time of peace, and have left
the heritage of good names and records
to the loved ones who survive them.