The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-21

ne iitIl6 DTOAZe DullOn VI lhS
G. A. r. is the badge of honor In
Tacoma this week.
The old guard has captured the
city and 1t Is theirs.
Nearly a thousand strong, the
aged veterans and their wives and
daughters, have been gathering
from the entire state during the
last few days for the great an
nual encampment, which opened
ut 8 O'Clock this morning in Ia
coma theater.
Impressive Parade.
At noon today they rallied for
heir annual parade. Walking
two abreast. the old veterans once
more stepped down the street,
with many a limp, in a solid col
umn third of mile long. AT
heir head marched a platoon OF
police followed by Kelly's band
and the Reno Post drum corps,
and then came the spectacular
'eature of the parade, 46 little
girls in red, white and blue, and
adorned with gold stars, carrying
iags and representing the union
Of states.
Girls Strew Flowers on Street.
At the corner of Pacific avenue
and Ninth street when the parade
was finishing the line of march
he little girls in the lead opened
ranks and every one of them scat
cred roses on the street until IL
vas carpeted with flowers.
Over these the old veterans then
marched while the girls waved
their flags and sang patriotic
music.
The feature was entirely unex-
pected by the veterans and the
honors heaped upon them wilted
many of the boys who never quail
I'D at the flashing of the enemy's
muskets and there was many a
tear dropped on the rosestrewn
pavement as the parade ended.
The girls were under the direc-
ton of Mrs. Mary Joslyn, Mrs. l..
VI. Fisher, Mrs. Persie A. Gard
ner and Mrs. Burke. Mrs. Burke
had a severe fall in the prelimin-
ary march and was unable to con-
tinue in the parade for the line OF
march.
Following the girls came the
old soldiers.
Some Empty Sleeves.
There were empty sleeves and
wooden legs and crooked backs
and SCARED bodies, but beneath
the blue coats there were as loyal
hearts as ever marched to battle
and the old boys We're giving rous-
'ng cheers as they stepped down
the street in line.
Some Drop Out.
The veterans went down c
street to Jefferson and back mp
Pacific avenue making a pretty
long march. Some of them had
to drop out before the finish as
the pace was made pretty lively
and they were hardly used to it.
At the opening meeting this
morning in the Tacoma theater
Department Commander George
Boardman of Tacoma presided.
He rendered his annual report
and other officials did likewise.
Candidates for Commander,
A movement is on foot for the
re-election of Boardman, but there
are also other candidates, J. M.
Weistling and Lyman Banks both
being in the field.
TOday's Program.
Following the reports of offic-
Iers this morning the G. A. r. CON
vention received delegates from
the Ladies of the G.. A. r. and
from the w. r. G. Both organfza-
tions are auxiliary to the G.. A. r.
Appropriate responses were
made to the greetings of the ladies
and the convention then adjourn
ed for the noon parade.
The w. R. c. held its opening
session at Eagles hall. It was
presided over by President Eva
Osborne who gave her annual re-
port and other officers also pre-
sented their work.
The Ladies of the @. A. r. met
in Odd Fellows hall and Presi-
dent Lulu shannon presided. Or
ficers' reports and work by the
standing committees was attended
TO before noon.
Il Campfire Tonight.
e This evening the annual camp
IRE will take place at the Tacoma
f1eater. Mayor Linck will delfv
|er an address of welcozns. g. r
Conner will respond. there will be
a drill by the little girls, a solo
by Mrs. Sloan, reading by Mrs.
Joslyn. violin solo by NJ. Turner,
music by Kelly's and the boys
bands, recitation by Mrs. Vance,
orchestra music and speeches by
Commander Boardman and Mrs.
Eva Osborn and Mrs. Lulu Shan
non.
The encampment Will close
Thursday with an excursion to the
exposition at Seattle. Wednesday.
the soldiers home ct Orting VIII.
be yisited, and new monument.
will be unveiled.
Tomorrow evening the annual
reception to the Ladies' Of the w.
r. O. ana q. A. r.. will be held
at the Tacoma hotel.