Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-15
From Madison Democrat.


civil war veterans. l saw and heard
some things at both well worth telling
about. The first was that of the JEFF
erson County Veterans association.
This meeting was held at Jefferson
on Thursday, August z6. All their
meetings were held there. The lead
ing spirits on this occasion were Dan
iel Burton of Rome, president;
/ George Turner of jefferson, secretary;
! County Superintendent Arthur j..
Thorne and Senator John A. Hazel
wood, both of Jefferson, Comrade Bur
ton served in Company G of the I'd
Wisconsin infantry, in Company A of
the independent battalion of that reg.
iment and in Company G of the 9th
| Wisconsin. Comrade Turner was a
corporal of Company C of the 18th
Wisconsin. superintendent Thorne's
father served in Company F, 29th
Wisconsin and died of disease at Hell.
ena, Arkansas, February 21 1863
Senator Hazelwood is the son Of Adam
Hazelwood, late of Company G of the
10Th Wisconsin. He was wounded at
me sanguinary battle OF Prairie Grove,
| Arkansas, December Z, 1862.
The day of this reunion was. except
for being pretty warm. perfec. The
| old veterans met in the courthouse
park, where there was band stand
with a regiment of chairs drawn up
in order in front. Likewise, close at
I hand under the shade of magnificent
trees, there were long tables being
loaded with double rations Of all
! sorts of the good things of this life
do not know how many of the old fell
lows registered and We're labeled with
blue ribbons printed for the occasion,
but l presume there Was as many as
| iifty-perhaps more. They came
| from all parts of the country. They
We're a lively lot of old boys. and they
told stories after the manner of the
average war veteran of these DAYS.
They held business meeting in the
forenoon, at which time they re-elect-
ed their president and secretary. To
the music of life ard drum they
marched from time to time to meet in
coming trains and escort new recruits
up to camp. AT noon there was a big
dinner with an abundance of good
cheer. My judgment is now settled
that the ladies Of Jefferson are most
excellent cooks.
In the afternoon there was a good
nqtpinfia
dress of welcome by Major Henry.
there were characteristic addresses BY
Ex-Governor w. D. Hoard, the Hon.
Samuel A. Cook and Senator David
G. James. The musical part of this
program was furnished by 25 or 80
teachers who came, under the leader
ship of Superintendent Thorne, from
a teachers institute at the high
school building.
Mr.. Thorne is a most patriotic
son of a veteran. Re was glad to
close up his institute that afternoon.
form his large class of intelligent
teachers into line, many of them
carrying flags and lead them over in
body to hear and take part in the
patriotic program in the park. | was
told b. Professor Buell., the leading
conductC. at the institute. that the
teachers of Jefferson county are
among the very best. 1t was good to
to see the I've interest they took in
this soldiers meeting. I'll warrant
that they will undertake to teach pa-
t,lotism and good citizenship.
As soon as the exercises in the park
were brought to a close a train of au-
tomobile put in an appearance and
honked" most cordial invitations to
al the bronze button men to come and
have joyful ride. And this was
ride,-not only about the city, but on.
on the country roads and to Fort A {
kinson and all about that enterprising
little city,-and then back to Jeffer-
son by different route. This lively
turn about the country begot a whole
some appetite for the fine supper
awaiting US in the park.
The bountiful supper was followed.
III the evening. by a big ice-cream fes.
tival to which the townspeople came
in crowds, filling the park. While the
people ate icecream and made merry
the band made music,-and everybody
was happy
Especially were the Sons of yeter-
ans happy. They had gone to the ex-
pense of securing a great siege gun
and stack of canon ball to ornament
the rark withal, and they still owed
somewhat for transportation. The
profits coming from dinner and supper
and iceeream were to go toward Ii.
puidating their debt. The wav the
people turned out that hot evening
with nickels and dimes and quarters
and dollars gave the sons good req
son to be happy. II the boys dii not
find themselves able to settle IN for
their big gun, they must have come
close to It. 1t was pleasant to see
the hearty response of the citizens to 4
their efforts
The most interesting thing in the I
court house park at jefferson is the /
beautiful soldiers monument there. /
II is constructed of blocks Of both /
gray granite and red The shaft is /
surmounted by the statue of soldier /
with a flag. Below. standing on the |
four corners of block of granite at !
the base Of the shaft, are statues Of I