The Ocala banner., 1921-11-25
MEETING or THE CONFEDERATE
VETERANS IN LAKELAND

was one of the most delightful and
enjoyable in the whole history of the
organization.
Lakeland is beautiful and rapidly
growing city but its citizens are not
so engrossed in business affairs as
to have grown forgetful of generous
hospitality which was dispensed in a
most bountiful and lavish manner.
The whole municipality seemed to
have joined hands in giving those
remnants of what is left of a mighty
army a royal time.
1t is not exaggerating to say that
the .'fatted calf was killed in their
a'.alf; they were entertained in the
es; dinners were provided for
en- in the parks; meal tickets were
given, automobile drives about the
city and seven miles out to the coun-
try club and still further away to
Barlow the county site-where more
hospitality was dispensed.
The location of the country club
is said to be the next highest point
in Florida and the view is wonderful
and seems to belong to some other
land.
One has an uninterrupted view for
twenty miles or more and as far as
the eve can reach there is a success
sion of orange groves, one following
closely upon another and as they are
kept in such fine condition they show
off to splendid advantage.
The golden clusters of fruit peep
ing in and out the glossy leaves is a
ravishing picture that defies duplica-
tion throughout the whole realm of
horticulture. They are indeed the
golden apples that were given to
Juno for a wedding present and the
fragrant blossoms are still utilized for
bridal wreaths.
The whole of Polk county is being
made into a garden of the Hesperides
and the beauty of it is that no tree
bears forbidden fruit
If overtaken with no disaster with
in the next ten or fifteen years our
railway systems will heardly be able
to furnish cars enough to transport
the fruit to the distant markets
The streets of Lakeland and the
roads of Polk are very nearly as
smooth as glass and automobiling
there is one of the real enjoyments
of life.
The official proceedings were har-
monious and pleasing.
In the absence of the division COM
mander the gathering was opened by
Adj. Gen. Rawls and Gen. Allen of the
local camp took temporary charge.
Short, pithy and spirited addresses
were made by the mayor, Mr.. Petite
way, on the part of the city; by Mr..
Edwin Spencer, Jr., for the Chamber
of Commerce; by Gen. Allen for the
local camp and spirited responses
were made by Gen. Rawls, Yancey
and others.
During the progress of the meeting
the sponsors. matrons, chaperones and
maids of honor were introduced by
the various commanders in most
laudatory terms and were responded
to most gracefully.
Gen. Lowry for the Sons enIivened
the convention with a forceful adj
dress, as did Congressman Drane,
General Cox, Mrs. ]. B. Hannah, Cen
eral Aver and number of others.
Gen McGahagin related some incl
dents of the Chattanooga reunion
which were most amusing and proyok-
ed great deal of laughter.
Comrade J.sH. Harp of Crescent City
was elected Commander of the Divi-
sion for the next ensuing year.
The new Commander possesses
great force of character and enjoys
record of which the division is most
proud
He was soldier in the war from
start to finish and was in as many
engagements as Napoleon. He lost
three brothers in battle and himself
providentially escaped.
General Frink was elected command
ser of the first brigade, Gen. McGaha-
gin was reelected commander of the
second brigrade and Mr.. H. j. Peter
of Leesburg commander of the third
brigrade.
Adj. Gen. Rawls was reappointed
adjutant and Mrs. Carney division
matron of honor.
On the last day of the session at
3 o'clock in the afternoon a parade
was given.
William Stenz and Paul Collins.
both of the American Legion, acted
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