The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-05-25
Reunion Visitors Exceed Pepula-
ton OF Little Rock and Argenta.

Reunion Visitors Exceed Pepula-
ton OF Little Rock and Argenta.
Little Rock, May IA hundred
circus crowds rolled into one will
give faint conception Of the
crowds that have thronged this city
since early Monday morning. From
Florida to Seattle the visitors have
come by the trainload, and railroad
men and others have agreed that
10000 is rather a conservative esti-
mate of the number of visitors, or
more than the combined population
|of Little Rock and Argenta.
The attendance far exceeds the
widest expectations of the commit
tees in charge. There have been
10000 veterans registered at Camp
Shaver, where tents had been pro-
vided for only 1000, and school
buildings, churches and othe bull
dings not already occupied have
beer turned over to them for free
entertainment for the veterans. The
city is pledged TO the entertainment
of every veteran free of cost, and
no efforts will be spared to fulfill
the obligation.
Business Hath No Charms.
The convention features of the
reunion are attended by only a
small per cent of the crowd, not
being an attractive feature as a
rule. There are several different
organizations meeting during the
week, but the meetings are largely
perfunctory as the people come to
see and be seen The street care.
which run continuously the whole
twenty-four hours, more than
twice the normal number, are
crowded to the limit all the time,
and event then cannot take care of
the crowd. The big picnic is re-
markedly free from accidents or cas-
ualities of any kind, and the police
are showing themselves extremely
efficient IN caring for the throngs.
The decorations are praised by
all as the most complete ever at
tempted at any reunion, and at
night Main street for ten blocks is
a blaze of colored lights and flags
and bunting. The decorations alone
have cost thousands of dollars.
Girl Musicians Attract Attention.
There are nearly two dozen bands
in the city to enliven the occasion
with music, in which Dixie" and
"Suwanee River are the favorites
that never fail to bring forth
rounds of applause, and the echo
ing rebel yell. There are fifteen
official bands, under the direction
OF the reunion music committee. as
follows: Ouachita and Henderson
from Philadelphia, Bay City, Tex,
Clarksville, Tex, Corinth, Tex, Ell
Dorado, Ark. Fayetteville, Tex,
Grand Saline, Tex, Van Buren,, Ark,
Saltillo, Miss, Memphis, Fife and
Drum Corps, Nowata, Ok, Sweet
water, Tex, Louisville, KY, and the
First Regiment Band, Little Rock.
Besides these there are a number
OF unofficial bands, including band
composed wholly Of young school
girls from Stone county, Arkansas,
who have attracted much favorable
attention by their cool white duck
uniforms and their excellent music.
Macon, who has come here in force
to carry off the next reunion. IS
itself known by the pres
ence OF three bands. The indica-
tions are that Macon will get the |
coveted honor.
Big Parade Climax.
Today forenoon the session of The |
convention proper was devoted to |
business, including reports Of the |
committee on credentials, of the |
Battle Abbey committee, and the
history committee. Memorial SER
vices were held at noon, including
eulogles on Gen. w. Cabell late
honorary mmander-in-chief,
funeral dirge by the poet laureate of
the South, Mrs. Virginia Frazier
Boyle, and The Drummer Boy by
Father Bfennon of Texas.
This afternoon will see the con-
cluslon Of the business of the re-
UNION, including the selection of
The next place Of meeting, cleo
ION OF officers, and reports of the
committees ON Davis Home Farm
he monument to The waHien of The
and on The Confed-
crate monument The parade of
he veterans will begin at 10 a. m.
Thursday, and will be the climax
y the reunion. All the Sons with
ne sponsors and maids of honor
viii be in line Of march.
Monument Is Unveiled.
Al 10 a. m. today the monument to i
he Capital Guards, one of the BRAY
st of the companies that went
orth to battle from Little Rock.
vas unveiled at the city park with
Elaborate ceremonies by the Sons
u Veterans, with the young ladies
participating in the most response
lie positions.
.