CHAPTER XLI NINETEEN HUNDRED SIX THE NEW HEADQUARTERS. "BLACKMAR HALL." DEATH OF GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER. OBSEQUIES AND PRESS NOTICES OF RESPECT. DEATH OF MAJOR EDWARD J. JONES. OBSEQUIES AND APPRECIATIVE TRIBUTE. COLONEL JOHN S. MOSBY. MEMORIAL OBSERVANCES. Ex-GOVERNOR JOHN D. LONG ORATOR. RECEPTION OF BAPTIST SOCIAL UNION. DEATH OF GENERAL EDMUND RICE. OBSEQUIES AND PRESS NOTICES OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICES. DEATH OF PAST COMMANDER CAPTAIN NATHAN APPLETON. ANNIVERSARY AT YOUNG'S. DEDICATION OF TUFTS MEMORIAL TABLET. MRS. BLACKMAR HONORED. MINOR EVENTS. OFFICERS INSTALLED BY DEPARTMENT SENIOR VICE-COMMANDER J. PAYSON BRADLEY THE NEW HEADQUARTERS 265 THE NEW HEADQUARTERS HE important opening event of the year was the removal of the Post headquarters from the Odd Fellows building to the new Ford building, corner of Bowdoin Street and Ashburton Place, February 1. The "Home" consisted of a large corner room on the fifth floor, looking out on the State House Park, which had been specially fitted up for the purposes of the Post. The furnishings were newly purchased and tastefully arranged for convenience and comfort. Many handsome pictures, articles of virtu, books, etc. were generously donated by members and friends, so that the apartments really embodied the idea of a combined Post, society, club and home quarters, convenient of access and always open for the use of members and associates. For Post meetings excellent accommodations were provided in one of the large halls, and dining facilities were conveniently arranged. The "Home" proper was appropriately named "Blackmar Hall," in honor of the first Commander. The first meeting in the Ford building was held February 14, in Kingsley Hall, preceded by a family supper, at which the new officers extended the "Glad Hand" to a large and enthusiastic company. DEATH OF GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER When the wire announced that our Honorary Life Associate Member, General Joseph Wheeler, was no more of earth, every Comrade of Post No. 113 realized that they had lost an esteemed and loyal friend. There was something in the personality of General Wheeler that attracted every one with whom he came in contact. His simplicity and modesty were most fascinating; the more one saw of him, the greater the admiration experienced for his honest-hearted manliness and worth. No other person ever met with such unaffected cordiality from Boston's public as that exhibited towards him as he stood on the stage of Boston Theatre upon Memorial Day, 1899. It was a wonderful event for him and for Post No. 113. His subsequent visit to the city, and presence at the Anniversary banquet the following year, will never be forgotten by those privileged to again take him by the hand and later hear the tender words that fell so heartily from his lips. His death occurred January 25 at the home of his sister, Mrs. Sterling Smith, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Immediately upon the receipt of the intelligence, the Funeral Committee of the Post, by direction of the Commander, forwarded a Memorial Flag accompanied by the following letter of condolence: "EDWARD W. KINSLEY POST No. 113, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. HEADQUARTERS ODD FELLOWS BUILDING, No. 515 TREMONT STREET. "MRS. STERLING SMITH. "Madam: 66 "BOSTON, January 26, 1906. "In behalf of the Officers and members of Edward W. Kinsley Post No. 113, I herewith enclose our Memorial Flag, in loving token of the memory of General Joseph Wheeler, who was an Honorary Life Associate Member of the Post. "A few years since, General Wheeler honored our Memorial Day services, held in Boston Theater, by a notable address which touched our hearts and made a profound impression upon all our citizens. His presence here for several days, with two of his daughters, as guests of the Post, was an occasion we shall always recall with great pleasure. It is with a feeling of personal sadness that we learned of his decease. 'His services as a brave Soldier and distinguished Statesman, his personal character and broad sympathies, make his death a distinct loss to the Nation. "We extend our heartfelt condolence to you, to his family and expecially to his daughters, whose acquaintance we made upon their visit in Boston, and beg that our Memorial for him may be accepted as a memento of our great esteem and love. 66 66 'Respectfully your obedient servant, "BOWDOIN S. PARKER. ‘Chairman, Funeral Committee of Edward W. Kinsley Post No. 113, Boston." Mrs. Smith's reply: "MR. BOWDOIN S. PARKER. "Dear Sir: "The beautiful silk Flag was received and placed over my brother's picture while in my home. Then it was taken to Washington by his daughters. We all appreciate it so much, also the kind sympathetic letter that accompanied it. Please accept our thanks and be sure your Memorial Flag will always be valued by General Wheeler's children. "Yours truly, "MRS. STERLING Smith, 173 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y., FEB. 15, 1906." |