The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-08-31
C, A. R. ENCAMPMENT
Mrs. Woodruff Tells of the Great
National Assembly.

herald: Wednesday morning founC
everybody astir early. 1t was to be
the big day of the convention week
for the majority of the visitors. The
streets were crowded and all traffic
Along the sidewalks the srowd surg
ed; mass from tn eropes at the
curbing to the very plate glass win
doWs. OF course the parade was
grand. 1t could not be anything else
The music, of drum corps and full
bands, was most generously given
Pres. Taft and the mayor or Roches
ter occupied the first automobile
Gen. Grant and ommander-in- Chief
John Gilman, of Boston, the second
Several others were filed with nota,
BILE people, who rode at head of par.
ade, and when reviewing stand was
reached they occupied seats thereon
| The governor and wife were in the
city Tuesday night and intended to
remain until after the parade, but
were called home on business. The
city has well cared for her guests
and no expense or work has been
spared in the entertainment of them.
After the parade special meeting
of the national organization of Ladies
Grand Army of the Republic was held
in First Universalist church. The re-
port of the national president was
given at this meeting and gifts were
presented in profusion. Chief among
the gifts which the national president
received was an elegant diamond
ring and jeweled badge, cut glass, jew
elry and hand-painted china and sill
verware received in abundance. At
4 p. m. was held memorial services
for members of the order deceased
during the year past. These were of
most impressive character and |
had the honor (and | assure you |
for the sisters of Iowa, who have
ceased from their labors and entered
into rest during the past year. A
beautiful vase had been prepared and
for the deceased members of each
apartment a white flower was placed
Il.
vice the vase was full; as every de-
partment and circle under national
jurisdiction had lost some dear ones.
Campfires were held in several
halls and churches. President Taft,
Cen Grant, Commander-in-Chief Gil
man and a great many notable speak
ers were heard. A special feature of
these campfires was the eXcellnt
music under directors of national re-
putatiOn.
On Thursday morning the national
convention of Ladies' G. A. r., nation
al convention of w. r. C. entered into
secret sessions at their convention
halls. Much business was accom-
plished by the Ladies' G. A. r. The
reports of officers showed the Organi-
cations to be in most prosperous con-
dition both in membership and finan-
ces.
A great deal of work was reported
as having been done for the schools
and colored colleges of the south;
also for soldiers homes and homes
for widaws of veterans. The amount
of work done on Memorial day report
ed from all parts of the U. S. showed
the great interest taken in the sol
diers OF our land. The national con-
vention of w. r. C. made strong
effort to elect Mrs. Frisbee, of Cali
fornia, and she was defeated by only
eight votes. Mrs. Cora Davis, of
Oregon, was elected.
In the national encampment of G..
A. r. Judge Trimble, of Chicago, was
elected over Gen. John McElroy, edi-
Tor of National Tribune, of Washing
ton, d. G. The controversy over the
candidates was the most bitter that
has occurred in years. Charges OF
unfairness and injustice towards Gen.
McEIroy are freely made by his
friends. 1t is claimed by the friends
of the defeated candidate that he
was the choice of the rank and file
of the soldiers and that he has done
more for the soldier in securing pen
sions than any other man living.
Los Angeles, Cal, has been selected
as the meeting place of next GOWN
ton. The selection seems to give
general satisfaction, although so far
away.
Delegates were feeling fine this
morning and everyone was in hopes
the convention work would be com
pleted by early afternoon. But alas |!
so many committees, with GREETINGS
came seeking admission that the
morning session was given to reCeiv-
ing delegations from army nurses,
Daughters of Veterans, Sons of Vet,
Grams, w. r. c. and G. A. II. organiza-
tions.
Election of officers occupied after
noon Mrs. Catherine Ross, of Denver
Colo, was electd national prsidnt.
Only one candidate appeared against
her. An eastern woman, Mrs. Eliza
beth Griffith, of New York, was the
choice of eastern delegates, but the
west and middle west rallied to the
support of Mrs. Ross and large ma,
jority was given her. The main issue
in the national organization of Sons
of Veterans was regarding the memo
rial university at Mason City, la This
school was .ablished by Sons OF