Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-22
VETERANS OF 1893
HOLD SD REUNION
Survivors of Spanish War
Elect Maj. F. S. Hodgson
President for Life.

Half hundred veterans of the War
with Spain assembled last night for
their thirty-third reunion and dinner
and for three hours tales of expert
ences in Cuba, of the preceding enlist
ment periods and Of happenings since
the days of 1898 few about the board.
1t was the annual gathering Of sur
viyors Of the 1st District of Columbia
Infantry, United States Volunteers,
who met with guests Of other Spanish
war veterans at the Harrington Hotel.
Special tribute was paid to Maj.
Frederic 8. Hodgson, who had COM
pleted two terms as head Of the asso-
citation. He was elected president of
the organization for life. by unanimous
vote.
Plan Big 1882 Reunion.
"reminiscences were heard on every
hand throughout the meeting and with
their days as privates, lance corporals,
lieutenants and generals long past,
many stories were snapped by table,
mates of happenings that were serious
then, but enjoyable now.
Plans were laid for making the re-
union next year an occasio nto take
tennial and to pay particular honor
to 1.-The Father of His Country"
President Hodgson and the toast
master, Capt. William S. Hodges. be-
spoke a closer organization and in
creased activities for local Spanish War
Veterans and more care for the families
OF veterans as members OF the organi-
cation pass on" Attention was called
to the fact that Just as with the Grand
Army Of the Republic, the ranks Of the
Spanish War Veterans are beginning to
thin with increasing rapidity.
Veteran Once A. w. o. L.
The meeting was more than an an
nual reunion to at least one member of
the 1st District Of Columbia Infantry
who enlisted here with others of the
group. He was A. G. Murphy, who had
not attended gathering Of the associa-
ton for 80 years, having resided in. the
Pacific Northwest since his company
was mustered out.
mustered out.
He told of having taken absence with
out leave while stationed at Tampa, Fla,
en- route to Cuba, and getting court
martial and term Of confinement for his
VAOAhACo' PoL UcCdubG ne JLlICW
watermelon at the arreSting officer.
Arriving at Cuba with his company
however, he was sent into action, he re-
called, and was given post of honor
at the head Of an outpost which was
awaiting an attack by the Spanish
troopers who were lodged nearby.
Recall Peril Of Fever.
Another speaker was Brig. Gen. VIII
liam e. Horton, u. 8. A., retired, who
told Of experiences serving with Gen
George H. Harries, then a colonel; Mai
Charles de L. Hine, and others, and
Brig. Gen. George c. Shaw, a lieuten-
ant In Spanish War days, told of ex-
periences serving under Gen. John J.
Pershing, then a captain, following the
close of the Cuba expedition.
DR.. Clarence A. Weaver, medical Of
flcer Of the company. declared the
United States learned lessons in the
War with Spain which were valuable in
the World War, particularly In trans
| portation, housing and provision OF
adequate medical supplies.
Hardships suffered In the Spanish
War do not seem so light in comparison
| with those of the World War experience
| when it is remembered that the men ir
Cuba had to combat typhoid fever and
other ailments due to lack of medica
supplies and housing.
John Lewis Smith lauded the action
of Spanish War veterans for having
| first obtained passage Of bills for pen
sions for the widows and orphans Of
veterans before seeking pensions fol
themselves.
william o. Ohm headed the COM
rnittee in charge.