Hide Article Text (OCR)
THE LEECH TOWNSHIP SOLDIERS’ REUNION AT GOLDEN GATE.hethre;niorlt;thanuniohavibinehe aispecOCCJreinnois 1 the not :r in else-iople eems. and#n of r in-Hiscers, inarj t for plead phet ?ouldThe week has come and gone for the Leech township soldiers’ and sailors’ reunion, held at Golden Gate, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1. The success that attended it was perhaps gratifying to the instigators cf the enteprise. To others it was not. Judging from the number of side shows, fakirs, catch penny devices and stands, the affair might be pronounced a howling success. Judging also from thesperandamount of ‘‘refreshments” disposed of, the reunion resulted in the realization of the highest anticipations of the element that hatched the enterprise. The demands of the most fastidious visitor had been provided for. If he sought patriotic oratory, it was there in plenty. If he sought the revelries of the ball room, his fantasy could receive gratification on the dancing floor. If he longed for the curious, the six-footed pig and the Indian mummy gratified him. If he sought music the Golden Gate and Hellmont bands dispensed it for him. If shade and a resting place were sought, the tine gum trees of 1 lob* son Park afforded it. If he wanted suckers for the numerous baits offered by the fakirs, | they were everywhere in evidence. If he *sonjbanelseniceThemeiTheaf ftniinganwit!tunathighrOUldtheireorge w in s halfHie re e to a 5 Sam i next 3cto-»t pay •uree.thirsted, well, there was anything from Adam’s ale to Sam Burkett’s lemonade in superabun- ^ dance. If he wanted to make a sjeech him- | self, apportunity and a finely shaded grand ( ^ stand were at his disposal. Taking an all ‘around view of the matter, there were just what the bills said, “Amusements galore, as diversified as the crowd to be entertained.*’ Over the saloon floated the stars and stripes with its undulating folds tending to lift a man’s mind and inspire nobleness of character, while beneath it, with impunity, was being sold the hellish stuff that speeds man on into the depths of perdition. This is one or the anomalies of perverse life. It is a source of deep regret to observe the lamentable state of degeneracy to which soldiers’ reunions have fallen in these latter days. To such an alarming extent the wanton avariciousness of man controls and di ; rects these affairs. So far are they removed from their original purpose that the modern reunion scarcely bears any resemblance to what the soldier “boys” themselves would have them be. The soldiers' reunion part of the affair was all right. The speeches delivered were uniformly appropriate. lt;)n Wednesday evening Col. Johnson, of Wabash •county, fresh from the enthusiasm incident tot\NSillonHisaifuStchsoalsilticsovery-p. and d to-theireivedk pen-it by lonth. Max-n the nount to the rated, and a word That y her licago j time ! withnBthe reunion season, was on hand and gave from his abundance. I le is always in demand and always goes at the beck and call of the soldiers’ organizations all over the southern part of the State. The morning session Thursday was taken up with impromptu speeches from the comrades, and especially a good one from Mr. Holly Hodges, of 1*airfield- The afternoon program was spoiled by the rain. At night Mr. Rook Patterson, an Ellery orator in embryo, pronounced an eulogium on American valor and soldiers and plead with Young America to strive to emulate the examples of their fathers in heroism, and to forever preserve the integrity of the Nation. Friday was the day to be turned over to Rev. I . B. Leach, of Bone Gap. He began at 10:30 and continued in a masterly delivery till a few minutes after noon. He ^ t then announced that the peroration would fob , j low in the afternoon. At the appointed hour iAhslt;hfsatnnual ia and 1). 6 * with ueipal t Cin-, Put-ayne,Call ? andbInd.\1ouse-i Kit.
Newspaper Details
Albion Journal
Albion, Illinois, US
Thu, Sep 07, 1899
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Akron S.
OH, USA 16 Sep 2018
Other Publications Near Albion, Illinois
Albion Journal
