Freestone County, Texas - Military - Confederate Reunions 1930 ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Freestone Co., Texas - Military - Confederate Reunions 1930 Submitted by Eric Bonner Wood D. L. Moody Camp, United Confederate Veterans Mexia Weekly Herald, Friday, August 15, 1930 edition FAIRFIELD, Aug 14 - Sp - Fairfield's annual reunion of the W. L. Moody Camp, United Confederate Veterans, moved into its second busy day Thursday with increasing crowds. [Repeated data in original article] .. the people came far and near to visit the carnival, sports and speaking. At an official meeting of the Confederate Veterans J. C. Anderson, 92 year old Civil War veteran was reelected commander for his 16th year. He is a veteran of the World War. Other members of the camp attending were Crawford Kane, 90 of the Confederate Home, Austin; Bennie Davis, Polk Emmons, Fairfield, Wylie Newman, also of the Confederate Home, while John Holland of Lanely the other surviving member of the camp was unable to attend. Tom [Thomas Oliver] Bonner, of Oklahoma, and W. E. Doyle of Teague were visiting confederate veterans. A speaking in behalf of R. S. Sterling's candidacy for governor was expected for Thursday night. The rodeo and carnival Wednesday night were well attended. The Fairfield band was aiding greatly with concerts throughout the day. The Parent-Teacher's booth was attracting wide attention. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Another article in same edition of Mexia Weekly Herald, Friday, August 15, 1930] VETERANS TO BE HONORED IN FREESTONE Busy Four Days With Sports, Politics and Carnival RODEO DAILY Band Concerts Will Be Daily Feature at Fairfield FAIRFIELD - Aug 3 - (UP) - Final arrangements are being completed here for the annual Confederate Veteran's Reunion which is to be held at the W. L. Moody camp from August 12th to August 15th. The Reunion in Fairfield is expected to be the greatest in many years and an enormous crowd is expected for the four-day celebration. The entertainment features of every kind are being installed for the gala week. Political speaking, baseball games, band music, carnival attractions and a real rodeo show are among the many features planned for the great gathering. People from all over Freestone and Limestone are expected for the fair. Veterans Coming The ranks of the veterans of the Civil War are growing thin, but from 10 to 15 Confederate Veterans are expected at the Reunion this year. J. C. Anderson, commander, of Fairfield, will be in charge. A meeting of the veterans will be held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon for the election of officers. Among the veterans expected at the Reunion in Fairfield are: Polk Emmons and Wiley Newman of Fairfield; Judge W. E. Doyle of Teague; and Billy Davis of Austin. Judge James Kimbell of Groesbeck is also expected to attend the meeting. Political speakers will appear during the affair also, it was announced today. There will be a prominent speaker to talk in the interest of Ross Sterling's campaign for governor of Texas. Miriam A. Ferguson will also be requested by a speaker. The rest booth and the health booth at the Reunion this year are each expected to interest a great number of the people who attend. These booths, which are sponsored by the Fairfield Parent-Teacher Association, will be provided with cots, ice water chairs and many other comforts for the mothers and their children at the Reunion. The county doctor and nurse will examine all children who are brought to the health booth. The camps are being cleaned up and several new camp buildings are being erected on the grounds at the W. L. Moody Camp. A new lighting system has been installed and will provide the merry makers with plenty of light for the night celebrations. The Smith Brothers Rodeo will give a show each day during the Reunion while the Donal McGregory carnival attractions will be open throughout every day. The Streetman and Fairfield baseball teams will play a series of four baseball games at 3:30 each afternoon of the Reunion. The Fairfield band under the direction of Morris Kutchin, will furnish music during the affair. There will be a dance every night at the grounds. Joel [Issac] Bonner is in charge of the dance program and announces a first class orchestra will be engaged for the nightly entertainments. =================================================================== Joe Johnson Camp No. 94, United Confederate Veterans Mexia Weekly Herald, Friday, July 10, 1931 edition CONFEDERATES ENJOY REUNION Pleased With Camp And Entertainment In Poco Club The Joe Johnson Camp No. 94 U. C. V. has just closed its forty fifth annual reunion at Jack's Creek Confederate Park, which is located about six miles west of Mexia. This park is a very beautiful location in which to commemorate the Civil War days. There were very few of the Confederate Soldiers present to partake of the free entertainment furnished them at the Poco Club House by the Camp. Through the courtesy of the Pure Oil Company, the Poco Club House became the home of the Old Soldiers for the week. Mrs. Ella Bonner [Ella Steele] was hostess to the Confederates and the visitors to the camp. Every effort was made to provide for the comfort and entertainment of the Veterans. The park grounds are owned and controlled by the Camp; they have also been improved and kept in condition by the management of the Camp. The Old Soldiers are pleased with the accomplishments that this management has achieved, and they wish to express their appreciation and extend their thanks to all who have been instrumental in its success. These days are bright memories to the Soldiers in their declining years, and they become dearer to them as they grow older. So long as there remains any of the Veterans of "65" the Camp will delight to love, honor, and serve them with all the care that can be shown. Upon the shoulders of the sons and daughters of these brave old men is falling the responsibility of perpetuating the memories of these grand old veterans; and in turn, they hand down this heritage to their posterity. May there be many other meetings in reunion of these Confederates at the Club House in the years that are to follow. There is now being established a fund with which to erect a monument to be dedicated to the Confederate Veterans of the Joe Johnson Camp.