The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-06-26
VETERANS HAD FINE CAMPFIRE
Despite the Fact That Attendance Was
Small.

Despite the Fact That Attendance Was
Small.
The Washington County Veterans as
sociation's annual meeting and reunion
which began yesterday morning when
the veterans of the days of '6l-'65 as
sembled at Dewey park, closed last even
ing after most appropriate and praise
worthy program had been given by will
ing artists. Much to the regret of the
old soldiers, few people were present to
aid them in enjoying what they term as
the campfire; and as DIR. Z. j. Foster,
president of the association, expressed
it, ut is too bad that such a beautiful
program could not have been relished by
a larger crowd" The contributing causes
for the small attendance were the hot
weather and the open-air concert in the
City park.
After waiting until three-quarters of
an hour after the set time, Dr. Foster
who was reelected president yesterday
afternoon, as was John r. Wilson, sec.
retary and treasurer for the past Il
years, opened the campfire entertainment
by introducing Miss George and Miss
Caven, who cleverly played piano duet.
A piano, nine large United States flags
forming a semi-circle about the stage
with several bouquets of beautiful flow
ers set in vases upon a small table, con-
stituted the stage decorations. At the
rear of the table sat Attorney William
Wishart, Earl Winters, Rev. F. L. Good
speed, and at the right Of the stage was
seated President Foster
After the young ladies had answered
an encore, Dr. Foster made a brief in
troductory address. He mentioned that
the gathering was the smallest in the
history Of the association. which now is
2l years old. 1t was in the days of the
Spanish-American war when the boys OF
Chickamauga were returninga a great re-
ioicing for their homecoming had seized
the people--that the Washington County
Veterans association was organized. And
the veterans of the Civil war who re-
joiced at the victory of the Spanish
American war veterans rejoice as heart
ily when the victors of the world war
arrive.
William Wishart, veteran of the
Spanish American war, was next intro
duced to speak on the days of 9s This
he did most commercially, connecting
the deeds of the older veterans with those
of the present world war soldiers, and
mentioning the fact that though the pres
ent heroes suffered extensively in crush
ing the world menace, it was not as Sc
we're as that suffered by the old soldiers
The conclusion of his address came short.
ly after he had recited the American
creed. Here H. w. Clark sang two solos
the latter in response to an encore, which
happened TO be There's a Wee Hoos
'Mang the Heather" His expression was
fine as well as the quality of his tones
During the singing Attorney Wishart
had been recalling to memory few OF
the poems he had learned by heart and
since President Foster had loosely re-
fused to be called an old soldier, he
(Wishart) gave word for word the poem
written by Oliver w. Holmes with the
title Boys" This was a toast given
by the great American poet at a Har-
ward reunion in which it states that re-
gardless of their advanced years not
one was an old man; and since DIR. Fos-
ter's sentiment was the same it was a
royal comeback.
Little Miss Annie Wheeler gave a
brief patriotic recitation with consider
able effect. after which Hazel Gauthier
presented two difficult piano solos with
much ease.
Earl Winter recited humorous poem
with proper results. Laurence Gauthier
then PLAYED two violin selections of high
standard of execution that well pleased
the audience. Neale Hooker, lieuten-
ant of the 28th division, and who saw
much at the front, reminded the group
of the days of just year ago. Then it
was that the Cd division turned the tide
of the war and started. the Hun in a diff
ferent direction. He acknowledged, that
though the boys went without clothing
and necessities in the recent war, no
comparison to the suffering of the "boys"
of '6l could be made. The intervening
time between Lieutenant Hooker's ad-
dress and that of Rev. f. l.. Goodspeed
was covered by two solos by Miss Lillian
Papin the second of which was given
only after much applause,
Rev Mr.. Goodspeed, with his usual
eloquence and fitting words, based the
accomplishments of the present heroes
on those of the older veterans, who by
their valor and gallantry made this land
one of universal freedom that later was
willing to assist brother country in 'gS
and then to extend her assistance to the
lands across the sea, in order to make
better world to live in He, too, re-
gretted that such an excellent program
was missed by so many people. James
Bennett, the well-known tenor, sent
pleasing thrills through all when he rem
dered two solos most pleasingly, the last
of which was Dear Old Pal of Mine"
President Foster closed the evening by
thanking heartily each and every one
who aided in making the program SO
successful. Many of the veterans who
remained over for the evening entertain
ment passed the night with friends in
Barre before leaving for their homes to-
day.
Divorce Cases Entered.
Divorce cases of Rose Currier vs.. Will