Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1909-06-07
VETERANS INVADE
MEMPHIS
Heroes OF the Grey From all Over the
South In Annual Reunion.
special to the Eagle.

Special 10 the Eagle.
Memphis. Tenn, June The grea
Confederate reunion will begin her,
tomorrow and continue through Thur,
day. eliminating a day later with i'm
posing ceremonies at ylcksburg at the
unvelling of the Stephen d. Lee mon
ument
Outward and visible signs that a
great gathering Is at hand are abund.
ant In Memphis today Buildings ev.
erywhere are decorated with flags aud
bunting and the streets and other pub
lie places are alive with Confederate
} veterans. sons Of Confederate veter.
ans. daughters OF the Confederacy
members of memorial associations and
other visitors from every nook and
corner OF the South.
The general committee has prepared
for $4,000 visitors and IL Is believed
fully this number will be on hand. The
rush began In earnest today. and all
trains coming this way are crowded
with visitors. From Arkansas. Ala
bama. Texas. Georgia. Kentucky,
Louisiana. Mississippi. the CarolInas,
Oklahoma and other states the delega.
tions are pouring In. Already many
OF the scores of sponsors and maids
have arrived and the social features
OF the reunion will be notable.
The veterans are much more feeble
than when they were here eight years
ago. The number has been thinned by
death and age has dimmed their eyes.
bent their forms and given a snowy
appearance to the boards and hair.
Memphis Is extending a hearty wei.
come TO the veterans. their sons and
daughters and sightseers. Every
where are flags and bunting The Con.
federate colors predominant. but the
national colors are everywhere inter-
twined with the emblems OF the storm
Graded nation that fell" One OF the
most conspicuous feature OF the deco
rations Is n mammoth Confederate
flag made from electric lights and
hung across Main street at the inter
section OF Madison Ave. Main street
from Poplar 10 Linde. has been con-
verted into a court OF honor. which
strings OF electric lights on each side
and handsome arches at some OF the
most prominent street Intersections.
The decorations are tasteful as well
as elaborate. Few people have refused
to heed the request OF the committee
In charge 10 add a bit OF color in hon
or OF the occasion. The Bijou The
ater. where the general sessions Of the
reunion are TO be- held the Forest
monument In Forrest Park. the Audi.
torium. where the grand reunion ball
takes place. and the Tri-State Fair
buildings and grounds. where several
OF the features OF outdoor entertain
ment will be held. have all been elab-
orately decorated.
The reunion will be called to order
promptly at 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing by Major Gen. ]. II. Mcdowell The
remainder OF the program for the lni.
tlal session Is as follows: Address OF
welcome by Governor Patterson. In be-
half of the State OF Tennessee: ad.
dress OF welcome by Mayor Malone. in
behalf OF the City OF Memphis; ad.
dress of welcome by Gen. George w.
Gordon In behalf OF the executive com.
mittee and Memphis veterans re-
sponse by Gen. Clement A. Evans.
commander In chief OF the United Con
federate veterans.
At . o'clock tomorrow afternoon the
veterans will ensemble in the conven.
tion hall 10 listen 10 the annual ora
iion. which will be delivered by Gen.
THEODORE S. Garrett OF Norfolk. Va. An.
other feature OF the afternoon win be
the grand floral parade
Naturally the reunion win be the oc-
casion for numerous smaller reunions.