The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-16
IN ANNUAL MEET
Spanish War Veterans Gather
in Topeka Today.
Delegates Are Here From All
Parts OF the State.
HEAT RESTRICTS ATTENDANCE
Some of Visitors Are Veterans
of Two Wars.
Campfire VIII Be Held at S
O'clock Tonight.
HEAT RESTRICTS ATTENDANCE

The Spanish war vets" have con-
gregated in Topeka for the twelfth
annual encampment. The heroes Of
San Juan Hill, Manila, and the cam
paign that led in the capture OF
Aguinaldo, along with the men who
'bled" at the battle of Chattanooga
but who were willing and anxious to
get into the fray. will talk over old
times today and Thursday.
The first session ofsthe United SPAN
ish War Veterans began at IL o'clock
this morning at Memorial hall.
Tonight. at the campfire at $3.50 p.
m, the veterans of '9S, and those OF
81, will meet the youngsters who par
ticipated in the war of rs. Repre-
sentatives of all three wars will make
speeches. and the affair Is open 10
all ex-service men of any American
war.
Delegates from all parts of Kansas
began presenting their credentials and
registering at Memorial hall at a. m.
today. A. o. Faulk of Topeka. de
partment commander, was in charge
of the registration, On account OF
the unusually busy harvest season,
coupled with the hot weather, there
of-town delegates. The Spanish war
weather in the Philippines.
MetcaIf Is Hero.
A familiar figure around Memorial
hall this morning was Brig. Gen.
Wilder S. Metcan Of Lawrence who,
like many other men present. is a
veteran of two wars. Metcaf was
originally a major of the Fighting
Twentieth Kansas across the Pacific,
and when Col Fred Funston left the
regiment upon his promotion to brig
adler general, Metcalf was promoted
to the full rank of colonel and as
sumed command.
In 1916, Metcalf was colonel of the
First Kansas infantry on the Mexi-
can border. ana when the big wal
broke out a year later nc was com
missioned n brigadier general OF the
national army, and assigned to com
mand of Camp Beauregard, Louis
lana. Metcalf never misses an en-
campment of the Spanish war Vet
Grams and Is rs regular in his attend
ance as Col. A. NJ. harvey of Topeka
The morning session today was 6
business one. Following tho roll call
Commander Faulk appointed commit
tees. Then followed the formal pres
| entation of credentials and business OF
various kinds was transacted.
The matter of increasing the mem
bership of the Kansas department o.
the United Spanish war veterans wa!
brought up at the morning session
The association has a membership Of
about 500, and it is said that 2,o0(
Kansas men are eligible. 1t is prob
able that a recruiting campaign vii
be organized very shortly, in order
that the remaining / 400 who Tough
against the Spaniards and the ever
more dangerous Filipinos can enjo!
the privileges of the society.
Mayor Is Welcome.
| Mayor Corwine delivered the ad
I dress of welcome at the afternoon ses
! sion, which began at 2 p. m. The re
/ sponse was made by Bert S. Berry
of Hutchinson, Junior vice com
mander Reports of committees an'
camps. in writing, were submitted
the afternoon meeting.
The nomination and election of Of
ficers will be the order of busines
/ Thursday morning. In the afternoon
/ the new officers will be installed.
The officers of the department are
! o. A. Faulk, Topeka, commander; A
/ d. Smith, Larned, senior vice com
mander; Bert S. Berry, Hutchinson
| Junior vice commander; Douglas A
/ Graham, Topeka, adjutant; James II
! Pierce, Wichita, quartermaster; H. V
Hilton, Salina, inspector; L. F. Cur
rier, Dodge City, judge advocate
Doctor Menges, National Militar
home, surgeon; Joseph w. Ozias, Ma
tionaI Military home, chaplain; H. J
Raines, Wichita, patriotic instructor
Fred Kilgore, oakley, marshal; II. {
Miller. Hutchinson, historian; w. Z
Heller, Topeka, assistant adjutant; /
C. Housal, -Salina. chairman OF com
mittee on legislation.
The aides-de-camp to the depart
ment commander are Charles ]
Stice, National Military home; j. +
Stone, Salina; W. j. Arnold, Topeka
rs. E. Lowe, Hutchinson: Wilson
Smith. Salina; T. r. Miller, Wichita
z. P. Greene, Atch:son: Ray Anthon!