Evening star., 1936-09-24
VETERANS OF '65
.SEEK0LD FRIENDS
Dramas of Lost G. A. R.
Buddies Enacted at Reg
iStrati0n Desk.
BY W. H. SHIPPEN, Jr.

He cAhAA law
"Where can I get some informa-
tion?"
The veteran addressed his question
to no one in particular.
He had Just come tapping cautiously
into the crowded lobby of the May.
flower and seemed bewildered by the
size, noise and excitement Of the
crowd.
His blue uniform hung on wasted
frame, his black campaign hat was
pulled down on his shoulders. and
his voice rose but family over the din
as he half Strengthened above his cane
to touch a bellboy on the sleeve.
where can get some informa-
tion?"
"Over there, sir" The boy was
hurrying out with luggage and nodded
over his shoulder toward the hotel
desk. The veteran mistook the direc-
ton and made inquiry Of the bell cap
tain. He was referred to the desk.
What is the nature Of the infor-
nation you wish, sir?"
II want to know II my comrade has
come to town yet. His regiment was
along side mine at Gettysburg
He was with the-I disremember
which regiment, but he and I were
wounded on the same day. He's from
Minnesota or Wisconsin, think"
Perhaps the general registration
booth can help you," the clerk said. 1T
is down the lobby-a bellboy will show
you"
The veteran with the bellboy al his
elbow made his way slowly down the
lobby, between groups Of men in blue,
girls and women in bright uniforms
and middle-aged men who wore
badges of associated organizations.
The veterans themselves are far in
the minority among those attending
the encempment.
At the registration booth. main
tanned by the Greater National Com
mittee the veteran resumed his in
quiry. He explained his comrade was
at the Grand Rapids encampment
last year, that he always attended en-.
campments che wouldn't miss one
II he had to wade through the whole
Rebel army'). and that he thought
his name was Williams"
At the booth the names Of registered
veterans were filed and cross-flled
by name, State, regiment and COM
pany. But the essential details of the
sl>,,@;a,ofiov, coArpod Sliny,nf
the veterans memory. He knew his
comrade was a fine fellow, who
wouldn't miss an encampment until
hell froze over"
Another veteran came up.
II think I know the man he means
and if I do. he's passed on. but I'm
not sure"
He gave the mans name. 1t was not
on the list.
The first veteran heard nothing OF
this. He left his name and address
in case his comrade showed up, and
shuffled of.
Maybe I'll meet him at the next
encampment." he said.
A third veteran came up to the
booth-Robert Rohm of Utah. He ex.
planned he was stopping at the Plazs
Hotel and wished to get in touch
with "Comrade Storms Of Utah.
Storms, it seemed, had registered. HI
was stopping at the New Colonia
Hotel, but q telephone inquiry ther,
failed to locate him.
Rohm also wanted to find "a lawyer
named George Stewart" The veteran
explained Stewart was about so year,
old now, and added: II trotted hin
on my knee when he was a boy al
Myton, Utah. I guess he thinks
passed on long ago"
Rohm could not recall the lawyer,
middle initial or Just how he spelled
his name. Two attorenys of that
name were reached by telephone
Neither was the man. A third wa.
out of the city.
He may be George" Rohm said
II hope you can reach him and tel
him I'm still alive and kicking"