The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-09-30
Annual Reunion Of Veterans Of Recon-
stIuction Held.
VERY GOOD ATTENDANCE
Col. John S. Mobley, Miss Grace
Lumpkin, and Governor Blease
Speak at Formal Opening Of Re-
union.-Senator John Sharp Will
Iiams Unable to Attend.
Iiams Unable to Attend.

Iiams Unable to Attend.
A Columbia dispatch says no more
demonstrahve gathering Of men ant
women has probably been seen IL
Columbia in recent years than the
assembly which crowded the lower
floor and two galleries Of the Colum
gia Theatre Wednesday night at The
formal welcoming of the Red Shir
Veterans, who began their annual re
union.
BY Ear the large majority of the
men in the gathering wore the rec
shirt, and aside from the picturesque
ness of the view Of blazing red mingl
ed with the fashionable gowns Of the
fair sex, the spirit of good humor was
abroad in all its vigor, and, time after
time, bubbleG over in cheers, ap'
plause and shouts upon the slightest
provocation.
Col. John G.. Mobley, commander
in-chief, presided over the gathering
and by his side on the stage sat the
sponsor, Miss Ellie Stribling, of Pen
dleton, and her two maids Of honor
Misses Agnes Ravenel, of Spartan
burg, and Zena Evans, Of Cheraw
and Miss Grace Lumpkin, who deliv'
cred the welcome to. the "Men of '76.'
After the prayer and the DoXology
sung by the entire assembly, Col
Mobley in brief but we'll chosen
words, introduced Senator Francis H
Weston to- the audience, and he. af-
ter stirring recital of some of the
scenes and conditions Of reconstruc-
ton days, introduced Miss Lump
kin.
At nearly every possible interval
in the remarks of the speakers, ap-
plause broke spontaneously from those
seated near the front of the house,
most of whom wore the red shirts
and cheers were not infrequent dur
ing the middle of Col. ,Mobley's talk,
while he was mentioning some OF
the leaders who took part in the red
shirt days of reconstruction.
A life sized portait of Gen. Wade
Hampton, which had been yelled un-
til now, was suddenly placed in full
view of the vast assemblage when the
name of that political leader was
mentioned; instantly there arose
from every male voice in the house
cheers upon cheers, and the ovation
given the portrait of the old chief
tain required several minutes to
spend its force.
In thrilling voice Miss Lumpkin
welcomed the Men of '76" to Co.
lumbia. She >recited briefly some of
the things that the Red Chirt Veter-
ans had accomplished and assured
them of the gratitude and love OF
everyone who enjoyed the great her
itage they had left.
Governor Blease, who next arose
to welsome the Red Shirts on behalf
of the State, was welcomed by the
veterans with prolonged applause. He
was several time interrupted in his
remarks by cheers. Governor Blease
spoke of the return Of the soldiers
after the war, the Reconstruction
times, conditions and what had been
accomplished by the wearers of the
red shirts during tile days of '76
He spoke also Of the prosperous con-
dition of the State at present due to
| large extent to what the men oil
| '76 had done.
1t was a matter of general regret
to all that it was impossible for Sen
ator John Sharp Williams, of Mis-.
sissippi, to be present Col. John G
Mobley, commander-in-chief, an
nounced Wednesday night that he
had just received letter from Mr.
Williams stating his inability to be
present.
1t would be a hard matter, in
deed, to conceal from even the most
casual observer, the fact that the
Red Shirt veterans of the State are
making an invasion of the Capital
City. Clad very, very, distinctively
ir shirts of the reddest red, set of
by black trousers, and broad trimmed
hats, even a single one standing in
crowded street, is easily singled
out by the eye as mark of special
| interest.