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Keystone Gazette September 23 1898, page 1
A JOYOUS WELCOME TO COMPANY B
The Bellefonte Soldiers Come Home
A MOST BRILLIANT OVATION
Thousands of People Throng the Streets to Await Their Coming The Meeting of the Boys Brought Tears of joy to the Eyes of Many - Whistles were Blown and the Line of Parade Brilliantly Lighted with Red Lights
"Sunday was another red letter day to the history of Bellefonte and years after this the grand-fathers will take their grand-children on their knees and tell them the story of the return home of Company B after the war with Spain. It certainly was an eventful occasion and it has been written indelibly upon the hearts of those who witnessed the pathetic scene. Early in the afternoon the crowd began to gather in and around the depot with the expectation of seeing the train come in about 3 o'clock, but they were disappointed. Notwithstanding the varied reports as to the time of the arrival of the train the people stayed right there. It was certainly not an idle curiosity that held them there, but a deeper, grander motive - an impulse that sprang right from the hearts of the people to attest their loyalty and devotion to the boys who endured so many hardships and privations for their country. Many of the churches suspended services and by 7 o'clock the enthusiastic crowd numbered five or six thousand people, who waited patiently until 8:30, when all at once the fire alarm sounded and the whistle on the water works gave the signal that the gallant boys from Chickamauga and Lexington were approaching the town. Loud cheers rent the air as the five Pullman cars approached the station. The red lights turned darkness into day and the scene around the depot at this period was unprecedented in the history of the town. There were fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, wives and sweethearts there who embraced their loved ones as they stepped from the train. Many tears of joy were shed, and for half an after the train had arrived the shaking of hands and kissing was kept up.
Capt. Taylor, in the best of spirits, then gave the command to "fall in." Seventy men with their knapsacks on their backs obeyed orders. Then followed a carriage containing Burgess F. E. Neginey, Harry Keller, president of council, and Dr. R. G. H. Hayes; the Logan and Undine fire companies, Grand Army and the Undine and Coleville bands. The parade was viewed along the entire route by thousands of spectators. J. D. Sourbeek had charge of the fire-works along the line of parade and it was a magnificent sight.
On reaching the armory none but the boys in blue were allowed to enter, Captain Taylor then drew them up in line and stated that they had returned on a thirty - days' furlough and that every man had to be at the armory on the 18th of October, either to be mustered out or to receive other orders; that the man who failed to materialize on that day would be termed a deserter. He further stated that during this period of thirty days the young soldiers could wear citizens' clothes. After a prayer by Rev. W. A. Stephens the hungry and tired soldiers, were served to a lunch by caterer Joseph Ceader, after which the doors were thrown open and the mass of humanity allowed to enter.
Amid this joy and activity there was much to make the heart sad especially when it became known that Frank Wallace, of Milesburg, had fallen off the train near Columbus, Ohio, and his injuries were of such a serious nature that he would die and that John Thomas, of Centre Hall, had died. Harry Redding, of Howard; Orrie Osman, of State College, and Cline J. Grenoble, of Centre Hall, were taken from the train to the Bush House. They were pretty sick men but were able to be taken to their several homes on Monday.
As stated above, the people of Bellefonte and vicinity bubbled over with patriotic zeal Sunday evening when they welcomed Company B home from Lexington, but that was simply an impromptu and slight expression of the loyalty and devotion they had for the boys in blue. On Monday Burgess Naginey, Harry Keller, president of the council, Capt. Amos Mullen and Col. J. L Spangler mapped out a programme suitable for a grand reception to Capt. Hugh S. Taylor and his valiant and heroic men. Large posters were gotten out and sent all over the county announcing a big jubilee and demonstration in Bellefonte Wednesday morning. The day dawned bright and clear bringing with it thousands of people who again thronged our streets. All business was suspended and the town beautifully decorated with Uncle Sam's colors. The music from a number of bands, drum corps, tin horns and the moving of the various organizations in line for the parade made a scene seldom witnessed in Bellefonte.
The parade was formed shortly after 10 o'clock with the head of it on South Spring street and it was certainly one of the finest military and civic displays that ever appeared on our streets. Col. J. L. Spangler, as chief marshal, Col. Amos Mullen as his chief of staff and the following gentlemen as aides made a very imposing appearance: Col. W. F. Reynolds, John M. Dale, John M. Shugert, Hard P. Harris, Archibald Allison, S. B. Miller, Hammond Sechler, Henry C. Quigley, J. C. Harper, E. R. Chambers, W. Harrison Walker, F. S. Rhoads, M. I. Gardner, Gen. John I. Curtin, Joseph Montgomery, Thomas Beaver, Ellis L. Orvis, W. A. Lyon, W. A. Grauer, Dr. R. G. H. Hayes and Harry Curtin.
The parade moved in the following order: Chief Marshal J. L. Spangler and a number of his aides. Then came the State College band, followed by a carriage containing Burgess F. E. Naginey, Harry Keller, president of the Bellefonte council; Francis Speer, a Gazette representative, and George Beezer, who handled the reins of a sprightly team. Next came carriages containing the following members of council, Henry Lowry, B. H. Sheffer, Charles Tripple, Oscar Wetzel, H. C. Valentine, J. W. Houser, C. T. Gerberich and Pat. Gherrity. In the rear of them came Albert Roberts' famous drum corps, to the tune of which Capt. H. S. Taylor and his gallant company marched, followed by carriages containing the sick soldiers, among them being 2nd Lieutenant Charles Taylor. This was an inspiring scene and thrilled the hearts of the pedestrians to such an extent that repeated applause was given them all along the line of march. The other organizations in line were Gregg Post No. 95, G. A. R., in charge of Commander S. B. Miller ; the citizens of Pleasant Gap carrying the large flag recently swung to the breeze at that place ; Coleville band, Logan Fire Company with steamer and ladders, Milesburg Fire Company with ladders, Pleasant Gap Band, Bellefonte Castle K. G. E., marshaled by W. H. Walker Colored G. U. O. O. F., in charge of Cal. Piper; Undine band, Fire Company and steamer Order of United American Mechanics, of Milesburg; Washington Lodge P. O. S. of A. of Valentine's Forge. The rest of the parade was brought up by seventy men on horseback from Col. W. Fred Reynolds' farms, in charge of Mr. Reynolds farms, in charge of Mr. Reynolds. The Bellefonte wheelmen also made a good showing.
After marching over the principal streets of our town the parade massed on the school house commons where the exercises were held. The scene here presented was indeed an inspiring one and will not soon be forgotten. The presiding officer was General Jas. A. Beaver, who proved to be the right man for the place. A quartette composed of Jacob Smith, C. C. Shuey, A. R. Rutt and Rev. Bickel opened the services by singing "America," in which the children of the public schools and the great mass of people joined. A fervent prayer was then offered by Rev. W. A. Stephens, after which Gen. Beaver made the opening address, in which he extended a most hearty welcome to the brave boys in blue. The General knew what he was talking about because he had been there himself, and with tears in his eyes he wished the brave boys in blue God-speed after so triumphant a return. Other fitting addresses were made by Hon. James Milliken, W. C. Heinle, J. C. Meyer and Dr. H. C. Holloway.
When Capt. Taylor arose to respond to these addresses the mass of humanity nearly went wild with enthusiasm. After the applause the Captain, in behalf of himself and his company, made an eloquent address in which he heartily thanked the people of Bellefonte and Centre county for the ovation of the day and for what our good people did for them while in camp. He stated that the government had bountifully provided good, substantial rations for the soldiers and if they failed to get enough to eat it was their own fault and not the government's. The exercises were then brought to a close by Rev. George Brown, rector of the Episcopal church, pronouncing the benediction. Telegrams were received from Gov. Hastings and Col. W. F. Reeder expressing their unable to be present on this occasion. The Governor also telegraph that Gov. Bushnel, of Ohio, is seeing that Frank Wallace, of Milesburg is properly cared for in the hospital at Columbus.
After the services Capt. Taylor and the company gave an interesting exhibition drill on the commons which was witnessed by thousands . of people. There are no better drilled men in the State than Company B. The company was then taken into the armory where they sat down to a feast of good things carefully prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ceader.
The waiters were in charge of Misses Marie Meek and Katherine Harris and were as follows: Misses Blanche Hayes, Lottie Spigelmyer, Louise Valentine, Mame Butts, Jessie Laurie, Nellie Valentine, Rebecca Blanchard, Adeline Harris, Bertha Laurie, May Crider, Caroline Orvis, Pattie Lane, Katie Shugers, Margaret Potter, Henrietta Butts, Rebecca Lyon, Myra Holiday, Millie Smith and Mrs. Mollie Valintine.
A free lunch was served on the commons by James Harris, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Sourbeck, Mrs. J. C. Harper and Miss Lizzie Morrison. At this stand several thousand people were supplied with dinner.
In the afternoon we had music by the bands and the day closed with a baloon ascension and a big bonfire in the evening. It was the largest and most successful demonstrations ever held in Bellefonte.
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