The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1911-03-23

guished guests. The moon shone bright
and the air was heavy with the fragrant
orange blossoms and masses of tropical
plants and foliage with flags formed the
decorations. 1t was really romantic
scene. The refreshments were served
by Mitchell Corps, of ST. Cloud. Mrs.
Harris and Mrs Ida Wilson Moore
aroused their audiences TO great pitches
of enthusiasm with their splendid ora
tory. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Moore We're
the recipients of many souvenirs, among
them being silver spoons, and each of
them received a bunch of pink carna-
tons. Among the other guests of honor
were Capt. VIM. James, Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief, G. A. r., and
Mrs. James, both of Jacksonville. Mrs.
James is a member of the w. r. c., and
the retiring Department President of
the Ladies of the G.. A. r. of Florida.
Other distinguished guests were Com
rade ". II. Mock, Past Commander of
the Department of Alaska and Wash
ington, and Mrs. Mock, Past Depart
ment President, w. r. c., of the same
Department.
One of the most beautiful features of
the Encampment at Kfssimmee was the
big parade, in which members of the
w. r.. C. were mounted on horseback
and several hundred school children in
line, each waving an American Flag.
Probably this is the first time in the
nlSlOfy OF tne Iflat southern
children marched with the Flag, and ii
presented profound object-lesson in
the harmony existing between the North
and South in that section of the coun-
try.
The Provisional Department of Flor
ida starts off under fine auspices, and
there is no doubt that il is to be great
success. 1t is understood that two or
three other Corps are already organic
ing, and il may not be long before Flor
ida will be a permanent Department.
National President, w. II. c., HOnored.
At a recent visit TO the Department
of Illinois, National President Belle c.
Harris and National Secretary Ida Will
SOD Moore, National Press Correspond
ert Ida NJ. Trenary and number of
National Aids were specially entertained
by reception at the Grand Pacific Ho-
tel in Chicago. The National President
and National Secretary were the spe-
cial guests of honor. In the receiving
line, besides the National officers
named, there were a number of Past
Department officers and the Depart
ment President, Mrs. Anna Peterson,
and VIM. G. Dustin, Past Commander
in-Chief of the Sons of Veterans. The
banquet table and hall were most beau
5tifully decorated with flags and flowers
s and speaking followed the banquet
Mrs. Frank L. Hubbard was toastmis-
and eloquence. The National President
responded to the toast Our Order"
Mrs. Moore, 1.-THE Woman of To-day"
Mrs. Trenary, THE Press" Mrs. Nc
S Gowan, Our Comrades" Besides Com
g rades Rosenbaum, Darling, Dustin,
Gault, Bennett and others all gave some
interesting remarks Mrs. Patterson
presented Mrs. Harris with a beautiful
hand-painted rose jar. the work and
gift of Mrs. Murdoch. Past President Of
Farragut Corps Miss Bross presented
Mrs. Moore with cut-glass sterling sill
Yer top inkwell. Mrs. Shaw presented
Mrs. Trenary with sterling handle
ivory paper knife. all in behalf Of the
Department. The presentation speeches
and responses were all delivered in
well-chosen. eloquent language.
The arrangements for the reception
were in the hands of Mrs. Hubbard and
Mrs. Darling, who were ably assisted by
Corps.
A Great lecture.
Great in its conception, great in its
delivery and great in its reception and
effect upon those who were fortunate
in listening to the lecture which was
given by Comrade w. II. Empson, pri-
vate, Co. A, 12itIi Ohio, at c. A. r.
Hall, in the city of st. Cloud, Fla,
Wednesday, Feb s, before a large audi
ence of the veterans of the civil war
and many other men who are tempo
rary residents of st. Cloud. The open
ing services. the songs IN the Prison
Cell / Sit and Starved in Prison." by
Mrs. ]. w. Hamilton. by request, were
rendered effectively. both of which
brought tears of sympathy TO the eyes
OF many.
The subject of the lecture was From
Chickamauga, Tenn, to Jacksonville
Fla, or SIS Days in Southern Prison
Pens from Sept. 26. 1863, to April 20,
1855" The lecturer in his vivid por-
trayal of the horrors of the prison pens
of the South, in which he was held.
touched the sympathetic Chords of the
hearts of all present. A silence pre-
vailed that was almost oppressive in it's
intensity and broken only by the sob
hing In all parts Of thu bali