Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1902 — WILL SUCCEED THE G. A. R. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILL SUCCEED THE G. A. R.

Spanish-A merican War Veterans Hold Their First Encampment. To keep alive the memory and practices of Memorial day after the last veterans of the Civil War shall have passed

away is the chief ob ject of the service men of the Spanis) war, an organization whiefi it is expectei will in time take th place of the Gram Array of the Repub lie. The new organ! xfrtion is composed o all the officers ath men who saw servic< I of any degree in th I late war with Spaii.l and according to the

preamble of its constitution it is designed “to cement the friendships formed during the war with Spain and stimulate the sentiment of fraternity among the sol-, diers, sailors and marines who were united in the conflict.” Further than that the organization is pledged “to foster fealty to the United States of America and to contribute to the continuance of a republican form of government.” The first annual encampment of the society was held and 3 in Springfield. 111., in obedience to an order issued by (’apt. Wilson I. Davenny, adjutant general on the staff of Brig. Gen. John A. Wiley, the commander-in-chief. Distinguished soldiers from all over the United States wore in attendance. Among these were Gens. Joseph Wheeler, Funston and Otis. President Roosevelt is a member of the society, but was unable to attend. The society was formed in Lexington, Ky„ in November, 1898. The idea met with favor all over the country and among American soldiers serving in foreign lands. Gamps were formed in Cuba. Porto Rico, Guam, the Philipines and Hawaii as well as in the United States.

BRIG. G. N. WILEY.