Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-02
7RA|N FAILS To ROB
REUNION Of ITS GLORY
No Change in Program Is Made
Necessary by InceSsant
Downpour
MORE THAN 10000 VISITORS
Will Continue TO Pour Into City To-
Day-Flower Parade Takes Place
This Afternoon-Will BE Spectac.
ular Affair.

"Shucks, we faced lots worse than
{ rain at Cold Hsrhor and Seven Pines
this don't amount 20 a hin o. beans"
That's the way a battered old vet
eran from North Carolina, standing
dehantly in the downpour near the
/. corner OF Ninth and Main streets YES
1erday afternoon expressed his con-
tempt for the chilling rainsthat under
took 10 rob the opening day of the
twen'E-fifth Annual Reunion of the
Is united Confederate Veterans OF its
glory. but failed
d, Despite the downpour that continued
from midday until late at night. driv-
ing every one indoors and throwing n
mantle OF depression over the gaily-
bedecked streets, there was not the
slightest impairment OF the reunion
machinery and no abatement OF the
high spirits of visitors and visited
TRAINS POUR THEIR
THOUSANDS INTO CRY
Tho trains poured their thousands
mo the city with q total diregard o!
tht browning elements. and an un.
3 broken stream OF street cars and motor
rehiclcs took them promptly TO quar-
,ers nj tho holtels and residences and
10 camp stuart. on the Fair Grounds,
securely pitched under water-tieht
roofs. where the soldiers remaindod
comfortable housed
Aside from temporary discomforts in
isolated cases. the incoming veterans
ana visitors found their wav cSpc-
ditiously to appointed quarters and
once the stains of travel were removed
entered promptly into the celebration
OF the big Confederate casinn For
tunately. the days program called for
no outdoor setting, and the invading
arm snapped its fingers at the rain
n al i,
doors.
Al the City Auditorium the veterans
= convention opened auspiciously Large
ana enthusiastic crowds attended both
me morning and afternoon sessions
The same was true o! the meetings
OF the Sons of Confederate Veterans
IN the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion Auditorium. and cf the sessions
neid in the basement Of the Second
Baptist Church by the Confederate
southern Memorial Associations AS
far rs business was concerned. 1t was
wholly an indoor day. and the rain
offered no Interference.
ESTIMATES PLACE
CROWD AT 10000
Late in tho night the authorities Mt
the central information bureau at So1
East Main street estimated the number
OF visitors and veterans in the city at
10000. Between 10, 600 and $4,000 more
y.
the time the grand parade gets under
way Tomorrow the city will have with
IN its borders 10000 guests. thousands
OF them coming just for the day to wit.
ness the browning event of Richmond's
greatest and perhaps last Confederate
Reunion.
Lleutena nt-GoVcrnor j. TAYLOR ELY
son left the patriotic hedlam of the
Jefferson Hotel lobby at 10 o'clock last
night and cast his weather eye up to
the heavens.
On Saturday when it rained | pre-
dicted that Monday would be fair, and
my prediction came true" announced
the MISUNDERSTANDING after he had
taken the observation. IL now predict
that by tomorrow afternoon the sun
VIII be shining and that Thursday will
he glorious day for tho parade. I
want my prediction recorded"
The prophecy was echoed by his cir
Gle OF auditors, which included Comrade
Taylor. OF r. +. Lee Camp. The fore
cast Of the United States Weather Blu
reau ihercupon became supcrfuous