Annandale Post and Advocate
Newspaper Articles
G.A.R. Post 24 & Lookout Circle

The following are examples of the G.A.R. and Lookout Circle newspaper articles on file at the Wright County Historical Society.  The G.A.R. file also contains the J. L. Buzzell Post #24 membership list compiled by Brian Partridge.      

1-9-1896 At the Jan. 8^th G.A.R. Post meeting, a committee was formed to look into either selling their old post hall or moving the post to Annandale.  A decision will be made in the next two weeks.

3-5-1896 The last meeting of J. L. Buzzell G.A.R. Post was held at Fair Haven last Monday.  The next meeting will be held in Annandale on the 16^th, it having been decided to move to Annandale.  A Picket Post will be established at Kimball next Monday by Adjt. Kemp and Com. Rudolph. 

1-13-1898 -  On Saturday morning at 11 oclock the members of Lookout Circle and J. L. Buzzell Post gathered at the G.A.R. hall where a bounteous supply of good things were spread upon the table and the old soldiers were heard to say from one to the other, Oh, if we could have sat at such a filled table in the sixties.  After the appetites had all been satisfied, the company were called to order and Comrade P. S. Rudolph acting as installing officer and Adelaide Sterling acting as conductress, installed the officers of Lookout Circle.  After a short recess, we were again called to order and Comrade P. S. Rudolph installed the officers of J. L. Buzzell Post, and at the sound of the gavel we dispersed to meet again at a regular meeting of Lookout Circle, Saturday, Jan. 22^nd.  Corresponding Secy.

1-27-1898 Bills have been issued advertising a four act drama entitled Seth Greenback to be played at the G.A.R. hall next Thursday evening.  This play is given under the auspices of Lookout Circle and J. L. Buzzell Post.  The proceeds will go into the fund now being raised to build a new hall for the G. A. R.  The young people who are to participate in the play are deserving of a good house which will undoubtedly be given.  Admission:  Adults, 15 cents, children under 12 years of age, 10 cents.

1-27-1898 L. R. Niles has been granted a pension of $6 per month, secured for him through the efforts of W. H. Towle. 

3-17-1898 A regular meeting of Lookout Circle was held Saturday afternoon, March 12, with a good attendance.  Sisters Helen Cotton, Kate Fashant and Sara Sterling were appointed to assist the relief committee.  Sister Shephard is still on the sick list.  Comrade Gordon is improving.  Sister Bayless daughter is improving slowly.  Sisters, try and call on the sick members and cheer them up.  The next regular meeting will be held Saturday afternoon, March 26.  Sisters, try and be present, as we have initiatory work for the meeting.  Adelaide Sterling, Secy.

4-28-1898  - A regular meeting of Lookout Circle was held Saturday, April 23, with the full corps of officers present.  The Circle are making preparations for Decoration Day.  They will go in a body with the G.AR. to Fairhaven to decorate the graves of the old soldiers at that place.  Adelaide Sterling, Secy.

4-28-1898  - Lookout Circle No. 24 of G.A.R. will give an ice cream social at the G.A.R. hall Saturday evening April 30; the funds to be used in buying a flag for the Circle.  Ice cream, cake, sandwiches and coffee, 15 cents.  Supper from 6 oclock until all are served.  --  Mary Cleveland, Sr., Pres. Adelaide Sterling, Secy.

9-22-1898 W. H. Towle has returned from the G.A. R. encampment at Cincinnatti and a visit to scenes of his childhood, and he solemnly declares that Minnesota is the best place on earth and that Annandale is the choicest spot in Minnesota.

7-14-1898 At the regular meeting of Lookout Circle No. 24, Saturday, July 9^th, we had the pleasure of a visit from the Dept. President of Ladies of the G.A.R., Mrs. Julie E. F. Lobdell.  She gave us a very interesting talk on Objects and Aims of our order.  Final arrangements are being made for the box which we are preparing to send to the soldiers in the South.  Sisters, try and be present at our next meeting, July 23^rd.   Adelaide Sterling, Dept. Cor. Secy.

10-13-1898 Lookout Circle and J. L. Buzzell Post will give a Camp Fire at G. A. R. Hall, Oct. 25^th.  The speakers are Mrs. Julia Lobdell, Commander Mortimer and J. K. Mertz.  Supper will be served in the rooms under the G. A. R. Hall.  Everybody is cordially invited to attend.

12-15-1898 Dr. Farnsworth is a G.A.R. man and pension surgeon for the G. A. R. at present.  He has no superior in the Northwest in the treatment of diseases of the heart and lungs.  Dr. Flint of Minneapolis was a caller last week.  He and his partner, Dr. S. E. Farnsworth, will visit Annandale at intervals hereafter and give our people the benefit of their new method of treating disease.

11-8-1900 The Campfire given by J. L. Buzzell Post was well attended.  Orton S. Clark of Minneapolis made a good address.  The male quartet gave several selections which were well received.  The supper was also well received and we guess the commissary department was nearly exhausted at the close.  Miss Ada Ponsford gave a reading of an appropriate selection and the band enlivened the old boys with Marching through Georgia.  The Post always make a good time at their campfires.

5-16-1901 Lookout Circle gave a lunch at the Pinkerton place on Clearwater Lake yesterday.  It was well attended and the crowd made merry at the house and on the lake.  Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton are jolly entertainers.

1901 - G.A.R., Cleveland $14.82, Sept. 9-15, 1901 The Soo Line on Sept. 6^th to 10^th inclusive will sell tickets from St. Paul and Minneapolis to Cleveland, Ohio, and return at $14.82 via delightful lake and rail route.  A grand opportunity to visit the east.  Low rate in connection from points west of Minneapolis.  Further particulars from any Soo Line agent or write W. R. Callaway, General Passenger Agent, Minneapolis.

1901 - Do Not Be Deceived The Soo Line route to G. A. R. Encampment in Cleveland is the most delightful offered.  Steamers are the largest and finest on the Great Lakes.  Meals and staterooms not more of necessity than via all-rail routes.  Accommodation in stateroom is $1,60.  Three meals only required on steamer and prices are as low as in ordinary restaurants.  Lunches may be carried if preferred.  See Mackinac Island and Detroit enroute.  You arrive rested, free from dust and cinders, and in every way feeling fresh for sightseeing and enjoyment.  Make your reservations now.  Particulars from nearest Soo Line agent or write W. R. Callaway, General Passenger Agent, Minneapolis, Minn.

A Resolution:  Minneapolis, Aug. 13, 1901 At a special meeting of the G. A. R. Post and Past Post Commanders Association of Minneapolis held at department headquarters, Aug. 12^th, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: 

Whereas:  It has become customary for all railroad lines, controlling the passenger traffic of the Northwest, at the time of the Annual National Encampment of the G.A.R., to pool their issues and fix rates in excess of those granted to many other organizations to the great detriment of the soldier and his friends, thereby preventing many of them from enjoying a reunion of old comrades, which to them in their declining years means so much and can occur but a few time more, and

Whereas:  All the roads but one leading from the Northwest have formed a pool and fixed a rate far in excess of one cent a mile a rate given by all the roads east of Chicago, and

Whereas:  Believing that the old soldiers, by reason of their former service to this country, be entitled to all the privileges granted to other people, and that a great injustice done them by fixing rates that will prevent them from attending the Cleveland Encampment without great sacrifice, and

Whereas:  Our only friend, the Soo Line has again come to our rescue and offered a rate that all can afford, namely one cent per mile, and a route that being part rail and part water, excels all others in enjoyment, comfort, and pleasures of the encampment, therefore be it

Resolved:  That we owe the Soo Line our deepest gratitude for the effort they are making in our behalf at this time . . . . .

1-10-1902 Buzzell Post and Lookout Circle installed the following officers and enjoyed a dinner on Saturday last at the Post hall.

BUZZELL POST:
W. H. Towle Com.
M. F. Shephard C.S.
Alex Fashant J. C.
S. C. Kemp Q. M.
G. W. Bayless O. D.
Wm. Nickolson O. G. 
J.  B. Lamson S.
L. R. Niles Adj.
P. S. Rudolph - S. M.
L. W. Webster Q. M. S.

LOOKOUT CIRCLE:
Martha A. Niles Pres.
Mary E. Rudolph S. V. P.
Mrs. L. Day J. V. P.
Mary E. Kemp Chap.
Anna Pope Sec.
Mary Lambert Treas.
Effie Thayer Con.
Blanch Walters Asst. Con.
Mabel Fashant Guard
Lula Towle Asst. Guard

11-7-1901   On next Friday evening Governor Van Sant will be Annandales honored guest.  Primarily, he is the guest of Buzzell Post, who are in charge of all arrangements, etc.  But the boys look to the patriotic citizens to back them in their work.  The grandest campfire, not excepting the baked beans and handraised turkeys, which the Post has even given, will be at the village hall in the evening, and everyone is expected to be on hand to make the occasion a long remembered one.  The governor was a member of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry and has the true soldier spirit that makes a campfire his special enjoyment.  Theres no North or South or partisanship in a campfire.  Come out and enjoy yourself.

1-21-1901 The Campfire of Buzzell Post held last Friday evening was the best of all three occasions held in Annandale.  The most excellent supper furnished by the Relief Corps ladies put everyone in the best humor and the program numbers and speeches were highly enjoyed.  The governor never got in closer touch with an audience, and was heartily applauded by our usually chilly people.  Despite a severe toothache, he made a most brilliant effort.  Adj. Clark and Vice-Com. Starkweather followed him and did much to strengthen the grand army work by their earnest words.  Great credit is due the Post and Commander Rudolph for arranging so pleasant a treat for the public.

8-7-1902 A move is on foot to establish a camp of sons of Veterans.  Quite a number have signed for membership.

8-14-1902 The G.A.R. hold a picnic at C. W. Pinkertons at Clearwater Lake today.

5-21-1903 Memorial Services will be held at the M.E. Church on Sunday morning, May 24^th.  The local G.A.R. will attend as a body and a special program has been prepared.  Rev. Henry Nobbs, the pastor, will deliver the address.  All are invited to be present.