Omaha daily bee., 1909-06-18
REUNION At FORT EEARNY
Meeting to Lay Plans for Creating a
National Park.
BIG TINE AT THE OLD SITE
General CarrinEtOn, Last Commander
in ChargeJ w. r. Cody, Bryan,
Governor and Others
win Speak.

The Fort Kearny National Park asso-
iation reunion will be held on the site OF
old Fort Kearney, in Kearney county Ne
braska, Jun 1875. The purpose Of the re
union IL to stimulate an interest in the
restoration Of the old fort and to establish,
II possible, a ne tional park on the old res
ervation.
The old Fort Kearny was established
over sixty years ago, and up to the time
of its abandonment in 1869. was one of the
most historic points in the northwest ter
ritory, and around II centers much Of the
earliest history of Nebraska. 1t was the
headquarters for the field of operations
against the Mormons in 1896 and was
also one Of the main stopping and outfit
ting points for emigrants to oregon, and
during the days Of the gold rush to Cal
ifornia, and later to Pixies Peak.
Darlington Last in Charge.
The last troops garrisoning the old fort
was a battalion OF the Eighteenth United
States infantry, with Brigadier General II.
b. Darlington, as the last commander of the
post in 1869. The completion of the Union
Pacific along the north side of the Platte
river. rendered the continuance of a mill
tary garrison there unnecessary, and the
old fort went out Of existence. Repeated
efforts have been made by the Nebraska
Historical society to preserve the old fort
and reservation for sentimental reasons,
and the forthcoming reunion is the first
organized attempt in that line.
The present officers Of the Fort Kearny
National Park association are:
John Maxon Of Minden, president; NJ. A..
Hoover of Kearney, secretary; c. w. Nor
ton of Kearney, treasurer, and J. r. Lari-
mer of Kearney, quartermaster.
The site Of the old fort is on the south
side of the Platte river about five miles
east Of Kearney. About four miles west
Of the site was the unique village called
Dolby Town, one of the relay stage sta
tons In the days of the Butterfield over
land Stage. line. Not a vestige of the old
town is left and little is also left Of the
old fort, merely a part of the stockade
and some remnants NJ the old buildings.
The reunion program, which will cover
four days, will include the address of well
come by Judge F. @. Hamer of Kearney,
with a response by General H. B. Caring
ton and addresses by Rev. G.. w. Abbott
on the first day, beginning at 1 p. m.
Colonel w. F.. Cody will be the principal
speaker on the second day, to be followed
by addresses appropriate to the occasion
ny SOlOlltl lOHh hldJOTS OI ftTut sam =.
Gibson of Omaha, w. B. Raper of Pawnee
City, Colonel Frank Eager Of Lincoln and
A.. ". Cole Of uniata
On the third day addresses will be made
by Senator Norris Brown, Mrs. Charles
o. Norton of Kearney, Joel Hull of Min
den, Robert Greer of Kearney, Major Will
liam Hayward of Nebraska City. Mrs.
Mary Morgan of Alma, Mrs. c. e. Adams
of Superior, r. r.. Randall of Lincoln, w.
j. Bryan, Mrs. c. M. Peters of Omaha,
Mrs. Kate Dutton of McCook, General
Patrick M. Barry of Greeley and Governor
Shallenberger.
Thu speakers on the fourth day will be
Colonel David Topham of Kearney, Will
liam Knaggs of Hastings, Curt Alexander
Of Hastings, S. c. Bassett Of Shelton. Mrs.
NJ. Tolbert of Kearney.
Most of these addresses will be remlnis-
cent. Interspersed with the program will
be appropriate music, camp fires, review
of the Nebraska National guard by Gov
ernor Shallenberger and staff and camp
fires.
Tents will be provided at the camp
grounds for all who wish to come out.