The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-01
FLORIDA VETERAN SAYS MANY KIND THINGS OF
 PEOPLE MET AT REUNION

regrets not having been given the keys
 of the gates of Birmingham and envies the boys in gray who had them for a week. Now, word as to the personnel
 Of some of her citizens and visitors. met the Rev. Thomas T. Hay, who for years was pastor of the First Pres byterian church of Gainesville, Fla, my home city, and to meet him again was like a benediction from above. The Creator could have made a kinder and moro lovable man, but He didn't and Bir- mirgham is again fortunate in having such a man as citizen. It is probably enough to say of Mrs. Hay that she was wise enough to choose this man for her husband and gentle enough to keep bright through the years of their union the links that bound them at first Their one son, Park, has grown from the brght-eyed comedy lad I first knew drIvIng hit boat to an Irish mail cart the two cherished treasures of his child hood-into the tall, stalwart, yet comedy, young American, the trusted business man imbued thoroughly with the Bir- mingham spirit. Watch him expand His honesty integrity, verve and alertness iE business will cause him to be heard from in the business world of the na- ton He is now secretary of the Bir- mingham Real Estate exchange I could not write of Birmingham without mentioning M H. Sterne. the very pleasant, courteous and efficient cashier of the Traders bank I am in debted to him for favor after bank ing hours I found in Major Barton a |every agreeable comrade and polite gen. tleman.
 Mrs Cory, who needs no word of praise from me, is a true Alabama woman, and that's enough for those acquainted with the excellence of Ala bama womanhood.
 Mrs Cornelia Branch Stone, the most energetic of all the daughters, was preesnt as usual, from far away Tex as. Age cannot wither her comliness nor time stale her infinite variety. May she live as long as she wants to. Miss Mildred Rutherford, the most accurate historian of the south was present ab- sorbing history, and sure she'll print it." Mrs. Odenheimer, the present chief of the daughters, was present and active and gracious as usual, looking jafter her charges with all the tender ness of her kindly heart It lily be- comes me perhaps to mention Mrs John w. Tench, the present custodian general of the crosses of honor, in the flattering terms her labor in the cause deserves, but will risk saying that any woman who will graciously care for a rough old soldier like I am for 49 years on straight stretch is-well, a dear old S1rl anywhere you place ner.
 General Young, the retiring chief, left us with a tear starting in the eyes of many of us. His association with us was dignified, manly and courteous. He bore the criticisms of the ambitious stoicaly and patiently and showed him. self in every instance superior to his detractorS.
 The incoming chief, General Harrison, la Georgian by birth and rearing, an Ala ba milan by adoption. like myself, a Georgian, but a Floridian by adoption. I have had many opportunities of know ing him. As a Georgian, as an Ala bamian, as a defender of Floridians he was always faithful to his trust, the veterans have made no mistake in put ting him in the first place. And now a long life and prosperity to The Age Herald and its obliging city editor.
 JOHN W. TENCH,
 A. A. Gen. and Brig. Gen., on Gen.
 Young's Staff
 Gainesville, Fla, May 20, 1916.