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Subject: Benton Co. Times, Sept. 22, 1898, Reunion
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 18:24:38 EST

The Benton County Times
Vinton, Benton Co., Iowa

Thurs., Sept. 22, 1898

The Veterans Meet.

For the twentieth time the old comrades of Benton county met in reunion last
Wednesday. The usual program was gone over and the old spirits of 1862-65
were as glad as when they first met. As years pass the ranks are thinner and all
are whitening for the final call.

The welcome address was made by Cato Sells who made everybody feel that they
were welcome. He spoke also of passing and present events and made a few
moments of most interesting talk.

The welcome was answered by Elder Crippen of Cedar Rapids. He praised the
preceding speaker on his patriotic talk and said it was a glorious thing to be
an American citizen and a volunteer soldier.

The orator was Col. M. C. Welsh, of Greensburg, Ind. He spoke to the old
comrades, eulogizing them for the work they had done, the bravery done, and
showing them "Old Glory" asked if they were not repaid. The speaker paid a tribute
to the women of the land.

The camp fire in the evening was an enjoyable time. The old story, the new
story, all kinds of story were listened to and laughed at. The flag story told
by Rev. Loveland brought the laugh so hard that the tears followed. Song and
story followed each other and the one was cheered for its sentiment and the ot
her for its merriment.

The martial music was by Joppa Jinks' [Jonathan Jenks'] band. We doubt if
the equal to this drum corps can be found anywhere in the state. There are
eighteen pieces when all are together and they all seemed to be here. If there is
life left in the limbs of the old comrade Joppa and his corps can throw
enthusiasm into them. There always was and we suppose always will be a weird
fascination in the notes of the fife, the rat-a-tat of the snare drum and the
rum-de-dum of the base drum. Much of it is in the manner it is given to the
public. Joppa has it down pat and his drum corps are all younger "pats." A Benton
county soldiers' reunion without Joppa's band would be like the republican
party in Benton county will be after election -- dead.


[Joppa Jenks was well-known about the state as being one of the best
musicians around. He served as Fife Major with Company D, 28th Iowa Infantry, during
the war. A Pennsylvania native, he lived in Vinton most of his life and
continued to play whenever an event presented itself!

Cato Sells was a Vinton native who spent the bulk of his life involved in law
and Democratic politics about the area and the state, representing his party
as a delegate at National Conventions. He served in a number of other
official political capacities as well, a highly respected man. Sue]

Sue Trout Reisdorph

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