The Sentinel=record., 1911-05-17
REUNION IN
 FULL SWING
VETERANS WELCOMED TO AR KANSAS IN OPENING PROGRAM
 OF BIG MEETING.
Texas Veteran Succumbs to Heart Failure at Camp Shaver-Address by Governor and Or R. c. Cave
 of St. Louis.


 Little Rock. Ark, May 16.-Greet- ings from President Taft 10 which a message in kind will be sent in re sponse; the annual oration which was delivered by Dr. R. c. Cave of St. Louis, and the naming of committees. made up today's proceedings of the convention of the United Confederate Veterans.
 The death of a veteran, w. E.. Smith of Cookville. Tex. cast gloom over Camp Shaver. Mr. Smith arrived yesterday. III when he arrived. he was confined to his tent until the end came. His death is attributed to heart failure, superinduced by excite ment such as attends such events as reunion. Services will be held here previous to sending the body to Texas.
 Early today crowds gathered in the vicinity of the auditorium where arc, hSiu hhI stSoioho VI tHt toiiNcutiou These gradually increased and when the convention was called to order by General James F. Smith, commanding the Arkansas division the large hall was filled. A number of bands furn- shed music throughout the day.
 General Smiths address opening the convention was brief. He referred to the events of the war of 1S61-65, the days of reconstruction, the or ganization of the veterans and the 21 years history of that organization. After the invocation by the Rev. R. Lin Cave, chaplain general, the Unit ed States Confederate Choirs, led by Mrs J. Griff Edwards of Portsmouth, Va. sang southern songs.
 William M. Kavanaugh who was to have delivered an address of welcome in behalf of the general reunion com mittee of which he was chairman, was detained at his ome bl illness, said to have been brought about by the stress of work attending the final preparations for the visitors.
 In behalf of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans, Dr. H. H. Hart zog delivered an address Of welcome in the course of which he reused the assembly to frequent cheers by his promise to the veterans that the des- cendants would keep alive the mem ories of the war.
 The next address was by Governor George w. Donaghey of Arkansas.
 Other speakers included Professor Junlus Jordan. in behalf of the Ar kansas veterans; Mayor Charles E. Taylor of Little Rock, for the city and Colonel George L. Basham. com mander of Omer R. Weaver Camp Veterans, Little Rock.
 TO tnese addresses through which ran the spirit of civic pride and desire to accord honor to the old soldiers the reply was made by the Command erin Chief General George w. tor don. who praised the city for US hospitality and the manner in which it's offering had been accomplished though attended according to the speakek. by personal inconvenience to whole families.
 Your generosity overwhelms us' said General Gordon.
 For you, my comrades, has peer prepared the most ideal camplnt ground ever found at any reunioh. don't think 1t would be irreverent fo' me to liken the beautiful city park t6 the garden we might have imagined in far off paradise
 The appointment of committees and announcements completed th' first session, and after a recess of tw' hours. the convention reconvened t hear the annual oration.
 At the conclusion of Dr. Cave speech. a motion was adopted Tn structing the adjutant general to nav the ofation printed in pamphlet forn for distribution to the various camp of confederate veterans and for genei al distribution through the sons or ganization.
 As the time for choosing the plac of meeting for the reunion next yea Is tomorrow, rivalry between Ok'a homa City, Houston, Texas, Macon Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla. gre' keener tonight. Literature was dis tributed and campaigncrs are keI