People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1894 — 'MID SCENES OF PEACE. [ARTICLE]

'MID SCENES OF PEACE.

Veteran* of the W»r In Illinois and Ohio Meet Again. Rockford, IIL. May 16.—Every train into Rockford is crowded with veterans, many of whom are of state and national reputation, who came to attend the twenty-eighth annual encampment of the department of Illinois, G. A. R. The streets are thronged and the hotels and private houses filled to their utmost capacity. No fewer than 4,000 visitors are in the city. The Grand Army of the Republic of the Department of Illinois, in serried ranks, had possession Of -the streets on Tuesday afternoon, and the great parade in which 2,000 or more battlescarred veterans participated was the most imposing and inspiring spectacle ever witnessed in northern Illinois Since the days when the boys in blue marched to the front in defense of their country. In addition to the marching posts were numerous bands and drum corps sandwiched in the line. At thp west side park over 4,000 public school children were massed, ’each carrying an American flag, and as the parade passed the pupils cheered and sang: “Marching Through Georgia" and other patriotic airs. The veterans, with uplifted hats, returned the compliment with cheers for the young Americans. At the courtr house square, where the largest mass of people had gathered, the carriages containing Commander in Chief Adams and staff, together with other notable visitors, drew out of the parade and reviewed it as it passed on its march eastward.

All along the line of march the boys in blue were lustily cheered by the patriotic spectators. The department made the most magnificent showing ever seen at an encampment in Illinois. At night two big campfires were held at the opera house and Court Street Methodist Episcopal church, which were addressed by Commander in Chief Adams, ex-Commanders Weissert and Fairchild, Gen. McNulta, ex-Gov. Fifer and others. Charles A. Works gave the address of welcome and Commander Blodgett made the response. Canton, 0., May 16. —The twentyeighth annual encampment of the department of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic, was formally opened Tuesday morning. After the formal exercises Department Commander Williams submitted his annual report He made a plea for service pensions. He maintained that a soldier’s discharge certificate should be sufficient evidence to obtain a pension certificate. His report showed that the amount per capita tax paid national headquarters for 1863 in excess of the preceding year was $17,953. The Woman’s Relief Corps reported eleven corps disbanded during the year and eleven new ones organized. Helen R. Mclntyre, secretary of the department, reported 304 corps in the state, with 11,475 members. The loss by death was 105. In the matter of charity $7,648,71 was expended in money and in relief other than money estimated at the value of $5,256.46. The number of persons assisted was 3,216. In the evening at the Grand opera house a general rally was held. Gov. McKinley, Commander Williams, Mrs. Waddell, Col. Gardner and Col. Fred Grant were the speakers. At their rooms the ladies of the grand army held a reception and at the M. C. Barber residence a similar event was held by the Woman’s Relief Corps. .