The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-09-08
THE DEFENDERS OF OLD GLORY
AT ORSON.

All of our picnics and reunions
that have been booked for the sea-
son have ended and the last one
held at Palmer's Grove on Septem-
ber 2 was with all exceptions the
best of them all. 1t was an ideal
day for the reunion of "The Defend
ers of Old Glory" Fully two hun
dred persons were on the ground
and all seemed to be in the best of
spirits and enjoyed delightful time.
AS the daily express rounded into
the station the members of the or
ganiZation present and the city band
were there to meet those coming on
the train. After the band had rem
dered one of it's favorite selections
all proceeded in line of march to
the grove where the productions of
the baskets were spread and all par
took of the bountiful spread. Din
ner over, the President, David e.
Wilcox, called the people to the
grandstand where the program for
the afternoon was commenced. Af-
ter a few remarks by DR.. James A.
Kay, Uniondale, the organizer of the
association, the company Joined in
singing America" In the absence
of Rev. o. G. Russell, Hamlin, Rev.
Buck, Uniondale, was asked to offer
prayer. The band played another
selection. Rev. Mr.. Buck gave the
address of welcome and in a few
well-chosen words welcomed all
present to this celebration. As
Charles p. Searle, Esq, of Homes
dale, was chosen as the speaker on
this particular occasion, he was now
introduced, and amid hearty ap-
plause Mr.. Searle proceeded to take
his place on the stand. His first
thought was in regard to the name
the members had chosen for their
rganization-"The Defenders of
Old Glory" He remarked that no
nation in all the world has any
more right to fell proud of it's De
Tenders" than we have. For nearly
an hour Mr.. Searle held his audi
ence in perfect quietness as they
were listening to the truths in rela-
tion to the war and especially the
battle of Gettysburg, which battle
this organization commentaries.
Tears were seen to drop from the
eyes of the comrades as experiences
were referred to that were of their
own personal experience when en-
gagged in this terrible battle. The
committee made no mistake in Sc
curing Mr.. Searle as their speaker
as he is young, energetic lawyer,
filled with self-made perseverance
and his address was wholly patriotic
from start to finish and received at
the conclusion hearty applause and
Chautauqua salute connected with
"Hurrah for Mr.. Searle.' A reci-
tation followed this splendid address
very appropriate for the occasion,
entitled Defenders of the Boys in
Blue" by Mrs. j. n. Sheldon, which
was very nicely given. Music by
the band. DR.. Kay gave short
talk in regard to the object of the
meeting and tenderly spoke of the
departed comrades since the last
meeting. Mrs. E. w. Hine and Mrs
Stephen Jay rendered a duet as a
memorial, entitled when the Day
light is Gone" w. w. Wood, of
Honesdale, was also present and
was called upon for short ad-
dress. When MIR. Wood commenc-
ed his address he compared his
thinking capacity to an old strainer
full of holes, as he was obliged to
have few headings with his ad-
dress, but when he had finished the
people failed to see where there
could be any deficiency in his think
ing capacity, as all present wonder
fully enjoyed his talk; music by the
band The secretary then read the
minutes of the last meeting, and
election of officers followed which
resulted in the reelection OF David
E. Wilcox, Pleasant Mount, as Com
mander-in-Chief. Two vacancies,
caused by removal and death, were
filled, otherwise the officers remain
ed the same as before. The time
and place was decided on for the
coming year and the first Saturday
in September, 1912, at Orson, was
the decision. A liberal collection
was taken on the ground to defray
expenses, also a check from E. C.
Mumford of $500 to be placed in
the treasury of the association. The
organization wishes to extend an ex-
preston of gratitude to Mr.. Num-
ford for his gift. Much credit is
due the President, David E. Wilcox,
and his committees for the success
nf tho