CHAPTER XXXV

NINETEEN HUNDRED

THE NAVY AGAIN AT THE HELM. RESTRICTED MEMBERSHIP REMOVED. RECEPTION TO PAST COMMANDER BLACKMAR. PATRIOTS' DAY. CAMP FIRE IN HONOR OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SHAW. MEMORIAL EXERCISES SUNDAY, MAY TWENTY-SECOND. ADDRESS BY REV. THOMAS VAN NESS. MEMORIAL DAY. CHAPLAIN ROSWELL W. HOES, U. S. NAVY, ORATOR. "THE LANYARD PULLED AT COMMANDERS' RECEPTION, JULY FOURTH. GENERAL WHEELER AT THIRTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY. MINOR EVENTS. SKETCH OF COMMANDER PAUL H. KENDRICKEN.

OFFICERS INSTALLED BY DEPARTMENT COMMANDER

JOHN E. GILMAN

REV. EDWARD A. HORTON.

(DR. WILLIAM H. RUDDICK, April 17, vice GRAVES deceased.) CHAPLAIN

of the Post was Comrade Hollis in 1871; the second, Comrade

Harris in 1896. It was therefore an event of more than ordinary interest, and a large number of members and visitors were on deck to welcome the new web-footed "

administration.

The Commander in announcing his committees for the year gave timely notice that he expected all orders to be promptly obeyed, as all delinquents would be put in the "brig."

A fine collation was served, and speeches appropriate to the occasion made by the installing officer and others.

The opening month brought a sad bereavement to the Commander and the Post through the sudden death of Comrade Joseph A. Ingalls, who for over forty years had been a close friend of Commander Kendricken and his business partner for twenty-five years, and was such at the time of his decease.

RESTRICTION OF MEMBERSHIP REMOVED

The question of removing the restriction as to the number of Post members was again agitated, as the names of many very excellent Veterans had long stood upon the waiting list. The Commander therefore called a Special Meeting for the consideration of the subject February 8, and after a very free and full discussion, it was voted to admit all petitioners who should be reported upon favorably by the Committee on Applications. At the next Regular Meeting the entire waiting list was admitted to membership in the Post.

RECEPTION TO PAST COMMANDER BLACKMAR

At the earliest opportunity, March 9, after Past Commander Blackmar's election as Department Junior Vice-Commander, a great reception was given by the Post in his honor in Berkeley Hall, at which the "Kinsley Associates," Post No. 62 of Newton, Post No. 8 of Middleboro, Post No. 71 of Holyoke and the Department officers were present. Music, speeches and the old songs were at their best.

PATRIOTS' DAY

Patriots' Day, April 19, was a gala day for all the Posts in the Department. A grand Camp Fire was held in Mechanics Building, in honor of the visit of Commander-in-Chief

Albert D. Shaw. Post No. 113, as usual in all such events, took a prominent part.

MEMORIAL DAY

The celebration of the two great functions of the Post, Memorial Day and Anniversary, were of special interest, as carrying out the naval flavor of the year, and are worthy of special mention.

Sunday, May 22, the Post and Kinsley Associates attended services at the Second Church. Rev. Thomas Van Ness, an Associate, delivered a strong address, taking for his subject "The Newer Patriotism," or "All Patriots' Day."

CHAPLAIN ROSWELL W. HOES

The principal ceremonies, May 30, were held in Tremont Temple, which was crowded with friends of the Post and hundreds of school children.

Chaplain Roswell W. Hoes, U. S. Navy, delivered an oration full of patriotism. It was an admirable effort. The music was furnished by an especially strong chorus of sixteen male voices, accompanied by a full military band and the organ. Comrade "Joe" White surpassed his previous efforts. Miss Harriet M. Crum of Canton, Ohio, a protégée of President McKinley, was very flatteringly received. Her singing of Rudyard Kipling's Recessional, "Lest we Forget," took the audience by storm. Mr. Herbert Johnson and others were much applauded. Admirals Sampson and Belknap were present. The former held an informal reception after the services, at which a large number of the audience crowded to meet him.

DINNER AT YOUNG'S

It was a cheerful, happy reunion of the shipmates in the afternoon at the customary dinner at Young's. Commander Kendricken presided, and Past Commander Blackmar served as Toast-master. Excellent speeches were delivered by Chaplain Hoes, who was made an Honorary Life Associate Member of the Post. General Curtis Guild, Jr.; Post Chaplain Rev. Edward A. Horton, Department Commander Peter D. Smith; President Capen of Tufts College; Admiral Belknap; Edgar O. Achorn, Esq., an Associate Member; Colonel Hopkins of the

Loyal Legion and General A. P. Martin; Rev. Dr. J. L. Withrow; Mayor Hart; and other guests were present.

GENERAL WHEELER AT THE THIRTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY

November 22 brought the red letter event of the year and the usual elaborate preparations for the annual reception and banquet at Young's.

The honored guest at the board was no other than our dear friend General Joseph Wheeler, just returned from the Philippines. It is needless to say that his welcome was full of sentiments of affection and respect.

Commander Kendricken again presided, and Comrade Charles H. Taylor acted as Toast-master. After a short address he introduced President George E. Smith of the Senate to represent the State and Mayor Hart the city.

Amid great enthusiasm General Wheeler was unanimously chosen an Honorary Life Associate Member of the Post, and the Associate badge was pinned on his breast by Past Commander Blackmar, who said :

"When General Lee surrendered at Appomattox, we believed with General Grant that the war was over, and we have since cherished only good will for our brave foemen and have desired to do all that was possible to reunite North and South in our Common Country.”

General Wheeler was much affected, and after expressing his sincere thanks for the honor bestowed, delivered an interesting address upon the Spanish War in Cuba and gave a vivid description of the Surrender at Santiago and the ceremonies attending it. He then related some of his Philippine experiences, to the great delight of all present.

The other speakers were Professor Alonzo H. Williams of Brown University; Hon. James J. Myers, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; and Adjutant Brown of Lafayette Post No. 140, New York.

MINOR EVENTS

Comrade Elmar A. Messinger, after eighteen years' service as Quartermaster, retired from office in January and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by the Post.

Mr. Caleb Chase, a life associate member, added $500 to his many former donations for the Post Relief Fund.

COMMANDER KENDRICKEN

203

Retiring Commander Goodrich was welcomed back to the floor and congratulated upon his successful two years' service in a felicitous speech by Past Commander Blackmar, who presented him with an elegant Post Commander's badge, to which was suspended a 9th Army Corps badge, diamond studded, as a sentiment of love from the members of the Post. Past Commander Goodrich made a feeling response in acceptance.

In February the Post buried Comrade McMurdie, a former member of the 53d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and who was supposed to be a member of some Maine Post of the G. A. R., but having no one here able to perform this last service.

Fore and aft everybody was heard and everybody was on hand at the beautiful residence of Commander Kendricken on Elm Hill, July 4, where a royal welcome was extended to "Comrades, shipmates and Associates."

The annual inspection was made November 21 by Comrade William J. Gillespie of Boston, Post No. 7.

The remaining events of the year were the presentation of a beautiful set of colors to the Post by Mr. Thomas W. Lawson, who was subsequently made an Honorary Life Associate Member, and by Miss Alice O'Neil of the old Flag of the U. S. S. Cincinnati; the advent of the "Kinsley Glee Club"; and the death of Mrs. Carista A. Kinsley, wife of Mr. Edward W. Kinsley, for whom the Post was named, and whose funeral was attended by the Commander and a delegation of the Post. It was a busy and pleasant year, though without any marked public functions.

The Post membership was one hundred and twenty. The losses by death in addition to Comrade Ingalls were Comrade Dominicus Koppman, January 4; Joseph W. Gelray, March 10, a distinguished soldier; and Dr. Frank W. Graves, March 13, the Post Surgeon.

PAUL H. KENDRICKEN

Service, Civil War. U. S. Navy. Acting 3d Assistant Engineer; 2d Assistant Engineer.

If, as Goethe said, "kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together," the reason of the pleasant relations existing in the Post during Commander Kendricken's term of