J. D. Sayers Camp, U. G. V. Reunion at Elgin With a Big Barbecue.

Bastrop Advertiser
April 11, 1908

J. D. Sayers Camp, U. G. V. Reunion at Elgin With a Big Barbecue.
Wednesday, July 15, 1908.

It was indeed greatly regretted that from circumstances beyond control, we were prevented from attending the Barbecue and Reunion of J. D. Sayers Camp of Ex Confederates of Bastrop County, held at Elgin, on Wednesday, July 15, 1908. From all accounts given by the many in attendance from Bastrop and vicinity, it was indeed, a grand and enjoyable occasion.
In the absence of notes, we take the liberty of condensing from the very excellent report appearing in the Elgin Courier of date Thursday, July 16, 1908, as follows:

The Courier says, "the largest crowd that ever assembled at Elgin, special trains from Austin and Smithville bringing good crowds, until not a soul less than 6,000 people were assembled on the grounds."

"Yesterday the city of Elgin opened her doors and bade welcome into our midst the J. D. Sayers Camp of Ex Confederates who assembled here in annual reunion.

"In honor of coming among us of these old heroes, the citizens had prepared a big barbecue dinner and invited all of our friends and neighbors of the surrounding country, to come and spend the day with us, and help us do homage to the men
who so gallantly fought for a cause which they deemed just and right, and who, though gray haired and feeble, are loved and reverenced by every true southern man, woman and child.

"It is sad to contemplate that as the shades of each year are folded to the decades that have gone before, the ranks of the Confederate veterans are becoming decimated and the old time Southern courtesy, chivalry and hospitality are making way for the aggressive commercial spirit of the twentieth century.

"To those who love the old times, who have sat at the feet of their ancestors and have heard repeated, in prose and poetry, tales of the condition which prevailed before the war, it is to them that the pathetic feature especially appeals. With the crossing to the other shore of each veteran and of each veteran's wife, he or she of the younger generation realizes that the breech has widened just that much between the golden age when honor was the most desired, virtue instead of wealth, as in this, the industrial age.

"It is with all reverence, therefore, that we of the younger generation revere those of our ancestors who were with us yesterday, and drop a tear in respect to the memory of those who have gone before; It is to our credit that we view with alarm, the rapidly approaching, indeed, it may be well said, the present ever absorbing jealousy that has sprung up between man and his brother over the accumulation of material wealth. The old time ethics, the old time standards and the old time code of morals are being perverted as time grows apace. With the tattoo over the remains of the last Confederate soldier, the old time standards bid fair to the buried forever.

"Doubtless these thoughts occur to all who have the good fortune to attend these reunions and mingle with the war horses or '61-'65. The great joy that springs from each association is tinged with sadness as there is realized the solemnity of such occasions-that the next reunion will find the ranks thinner.

"To their credit be it said, no one who knows and has lived with the old Confederates, ever truthfully gives voice to an adverse reflection. There is much on this to be commended in that the survivors of that cruel crucible have so well conducted themselves as to deserve the praise of not only those with whom they have been associated, but the whole world.

THE CROWD ASSEMBLES.

"Not withstanding the threatening clouds and ominous mutterings of thunder that bid fair to bring a downpour of rain Tuesday, the preparations went on for the big barbecue that was to be a red letter day for Elgin. Fortunately, however, the weather proved all that could be desired or expected last this season, and early Wednesday morning our little city was astir and wagon loads of people were coming into town and heading for barbecue grounds.

"A great many came in Tuesday afternoon, many on night trains from Austin and Smithville brought good crowds until not a soul less than 6,000 people were assembled on the grounds. The J. D. Sayers Camp ExConfederates of Bastrop County held their meeting early in the morning, at the Skating Rink, electing the following officers:

T. A. W. Hill, Commander.
W. T. Wilson, First Lieutenant Commander.
J. W. Hill, Quartermaster.
Wm. Plummer, Adjutant.

A Committee on resolutions was appointed, who will report in due time.

"The Sweeden band, about 10 o'clock, began playing sweet strains of music to which the old soldiers matched up to the speakers stand, and were seated Capt. F. S. Wade bade all the old soldiers, wives and daughters, welcome, introducing Dr. E. S. Deener who, in a 30 minutes address welcomed all visitors, making a very interesting, eloquent and beautiful talk, and telling of the real cause of the civil war touching upon the valor and bravery of the Confederate officers, referring to the different battles of importance and finally eulogizing the old Confederate veterans. He was followed by Judge J. B. Price, of Bastrop, who responded to the welcome address in a manner which was heartily enjoyed and appreciated by all who heard it. Ex-Governer Joseph D. Sayers was then called for and made a good talk, mostly telling of the early days in Bastrop County and commended the ladies who are arranging to erect a monument in Bastrop to the memory of the old soldiers.

"Dinner was then announced and ladies were first served, after which, the men. This is of course, the most important
feature of a barbecue, the perfect success of which was evidenced by the many who, in substance said: "Indeed, there was never a barbecue that was more orderly, more properly, and more successfully handled than this one, first, there was plenty of it and lots left over: secondly, it was deliciously and perfectly cooked: thirdly, it was served and carved in perfection, and any cause for any complaint whatever, all present failed to hear it, but praise was universal." All present spoke its praise, in every particular. Following is the Roster of the J. D. Sayers Camp, No, Ex Confederates Bastrop County, as given in the Courier:

Avery, R: Smithville.
Anderson, M. E.: Bastrop
Arbuckle, M. E.:
Bradshaw, S. K.: Cistern.
Burleson, E. B.: Basatrop
Buckner, J. W.:Red Rock
Cogdill, W. H.: Smithville
Claiborne, J. D.: Smithville
Cain, T. C.: Bastrop
Connor, J. C.: Confed, Home
Coulson, O. G.: Utley
Clements, J. C.: Smithville
Devran, J. M.: Red Rock
Eastland, W. M.: Rosanky
Eastland, W. M.: Rosanky
Foxwell, William: Smithville
French, B. T.:
Foster, George:
Gray, F. K.: Red Rock
Gill, Robert A.: Bastrop
Hill, J. W.: Smithville
Hill, T. A. W.: Smithville
Hall, C. G.: Smithville
Hughes, M. S.: Smithville
Hill, A. M.: Hill's Prairie
Highsmith, W. A.: Bastrop
Kelley, W. L.: Smithville
Kelley, Ed.: Coxville
Lentz, G. M.: Red Rock
Morgan, Fred: Coxville
Miller, J. W.:
Miller, A. F.: Smithville
Moore, Dyer: Basatrop
Owens, Wm.: Elgin
Powell, G. W.: Otis
Priest, R. F.: Smithville
Plummer, William: Smithville
Reid, J. T.:
Randel, E. O.
Reynolds, J. A.: Smithville
Renick, J. M.:
Rhinehart, G. M.: Red Rock
Rutherford, W. B.
Scott, Abner: McDade
Smith, E. A.: Smithville
Sawyer, R. T.: Smithville
Spears, J. T.: Smithville
Sowell, C. B.: Elgin
Stone, F. A.: Confed, Home
Smith, Joe N.: Red Rock
Scallion, F. M.: Upton
Simpson, H.: Smithville
Scarborough, W. J.: McDade
Sims, S. P.
Smith, W. J.: Cedar Creek
Talley, F. H.: Smithville
Wilson, W. T.
Wolfenberger, Guy: Watterson
Wilkins, R. T.: Smithville
Wroe, F. M.: Paige
Watson, W. H.: Red Rock
Young, M. H.: Bastrop

In the afternoon, several interesting speeches were delivered, and two excellent papers read by two young ladies, their selections rendered in a most beautiful and impressive manner. During the morning two games of base ball were played between Elgin and Webberville teams, Elgin victors in both. Also, in afternoon, target shooting, interesting, specially to the
"shooters,". The dance enjoyed at night, was well attended, some fifty couple on the floor, with music fine dancing ex.....

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