The Bokchito News
Sept. 4, 1919
At the Ada Reunion
On Monday morning, August 25, this editor boarded the Katy at Durant to go to Ada to attend the State Confederate Reunion, which was held in that city the 26th, 27th, and 28th. We landed safely at the Convention City in the afternoon where we were met by hundreds of people- the reception committee, composed mostly of pretty women with autos- and conveyed the Veterans to the Hotel Harris, where they were registered and assigned homes. Every old Veteran was supplied with the best and most hospitable homes.
This editor was among the luckiest to be assigned to a place to stay. He was carried up on Main street by one of Ada’s beauties- all the ladies were beauties- to Captain and Mrs. A. Kilpatrick at 525 Main, near the big Normal, where the Reunion was held. It was a home, in fact, for we were cared for in the most hospitable and loveable manner. The first evening we were served with a magnificent repast, and at all times during our stay were given bathing privileges. These clever people were at all times untiring in their efforts to make our stay pleasant. And they were ably assisted by their sweet and charming little daughter, Buelah, who always inquired “Is there anything needed?” The Kilpatrick family is a typical Southern one- pure and simple. We hereby tender them our sincere thanks for the kind treatment and many favors. May they live long and prosper- God bless them.
The people of Ada are a grand and noble class of people, and live in one of the prettiest and most prosperous cities of the South. Her people left nothing undone to make the Veterans feel happy and contented.
The convention transacted its business in a masterly manner under the guidance of Acting Commander Bard and Adjutant Coleman. Many splendid addresses were delivered, among the most notable being by State Treasurer Leecraft, who represented Governor Robertson, who was absent from the state and Hon. Luther Harrison, State Senator and editor of the Ada Daily News, one of the leading Democratic papers of the State. Both addresses were highly appreciated by the old boys and the many visitors.
We met our old friends and former citizens of Bokchito, Mr. and Mrs. Tom King, and son, Tom, Jr. who were active in assisting to care for the Veterans. We were carried over the city in their fine car, when we saw much of the beautiful city. We were carried to the depot on leaving, by the clever Mrs. King. The family is well and handsomely located. Mr. King is cashier of the First National Bank, one of the leading financial institutions of the State. We thank the Kings for courtesies. We also met in Ada W. S. Furlong, of Stonewall, cashier in one of the leading banks of his town. He came to Ada to pay his respects to the Veterans.
The many entertainments tendered the Veterans were most gratifying. Meals were served to them, and the tables were loaded with the best that could be had, and served by beautiful and lovely young ladies.
We were glad to meet at the Reunion that clever and cheerful old Veteran and State Confederate Pension Commissioner Col. R. A. Sneed, who is untiring in his efforts to aid Confederate soldiers in need.
A prominent figure at the Reunions was Hon. Sam H. Hargis, of Vinita, State Highway Enf. Officer who is ex-legislator. He was one of the strongest advocates of the Confederate Pension Bill, and was highly instrumental in its passage. He is an old Confederate and takes much interest in their welfare.
Much regret was expressed that Governor Robertson, such a great friend to old soldiers, could not be and mix and mingle with them.
In closing this article we reproduce the following well-written and truthful statement from the Durant Daily Democrat whose local editor interview us on our return from Ada.
“That the annual State Reunion of the Confederate Veterans that was held this week at Ada was an enjoyable event and long to be remembered by the hundreds of the men who ‘Wore the Gray’ and all others who attended, was attested to by the delegates from N. B. Forrest Camp, among whom was Colonel Jim Tom Story, the well-known editor of The Bokchito News, who while enroute home yesterday afternoon dropped into the Democrat office and sang its praises in his inimitable style of appreciation and much to the pleasure of his listeners. The Colonel began his report by stressing the pleasing hospitality with which every visitor and espciaclly the Veterans were met; how the glad hand was extended from first to last and relating how splendidly the arrangements had been made and how all the minute details pertaining to the Reunion were carried out. He spoke pleasingly of the commodious and well appointed public halls that were thrown open for the daily meetings and how they were furnished to meet every demand and of the truly wonderful spread that were presided over by the Red Cross ladies and of some of the inspiring addresses that were delivered by the visiting orators and the eloquent and soul cheering speeches of welcome and Godspeed by Ada citizens as well. And then seeming to feel that he had not done the subject of Ada’s hospitality full justice, he returned to that phase of the Reunion and told of how the individual citizens, men and women, without regard to class distinction, politics, or religion, met every old solider and ascertained as to whether or not he was provided with good sleeping accommodations during the days and nights of the event and how the clever owners of automobiles took the visitor for long drives over the beautiful and growing city, and then he concluded by saying that he had not told of more than half the good hospitality that was dispensed by the good people whom they met there.
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