1896 Reunion at New Canaan

THE SEVENTEENTH’S REUNION
Regiment Had a Gay Time at New Canaan

The thirty-fourth annual reunion of the Seventeenth C.V. was held in New Canaan Friday.

The visitors arrived on the 9:35 train. A reception committee and members of the S.P. Ferris Post, G.A.R., with the New Canaan brass band, were waiting at the depot. A procession was formed, carriages being provided for the ladies, and, with the band playing patriotic airs, the line of march was taken up, through the principal streets of the village, to the opera house.

The Hon. B.P. Mead presided at the preliminary meeting, and following prayer by Rev. J.H. Hoyt, a cordial welcome, on behalf of the citizens of New Canaan, was extended to the old soldiers by Justice F.M. Bliss. Colonel Adams, a member of Governor Coffin’s staff, responded on behalf of the regiment.

The business meeting was then held, President C.S. Darrow of New London in the chair. Secretary A.W. Peck read the minutes of the last meeting, which were accepted. The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $22 in the treasury. Suitable resolutions on the death of Asa S. Curtis were passed, and a letter was read from Mrs. Curtis.

J.H. Blakeman and Iris Wade made remarks concerning the incorporating of the Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteer association, and it was voted to appoint a committee, composed of one member from each company, on incorporation and to publish a history of the association, the committee to be appointed by the president.

The report of deaths for the year showed that Prof. Silliman, Company H, of Easton, Penn.; Frank Scofield, Company B, of Stamford, and Charles E. Purdy, Company I, of Greenwich, had joined the silent army.

Officers were then elected as follows:

President, Edgar Buttery, of Norwalk.

Vice-presidents, Samuel Buttery, Company A, of Silvermine; John Bell, Company B, of Stamford; John Benedict, Company C, of Danbury; J.H. Blakeman, Company D, of Orenoke; George Hale, Company E, of Saugatuck; K.A. Kellogg, Company F, of Norwalk; Charles Smith, Company G, of South Norwalk; D.C. Ruscoe, Company H, of New Canaan; James Wright, Company I, of Waterbury; Nathan Hale, Company K, of Bridgeport.

Secretary, A.W. Peck, of Newtown.
Treasurer, Patrick Wade, Jr., of Bridgeport.

Committee on incorporation, Charles Smith of South Norwalk; Captain Henry Quien, of Danbury; Isaac Mead, of Greenwich; Patrick Wade, Jr., of Bridgeport.

The meeting then adjourned for dinner, which was served in the Masonic banquet hall.

This afternoon addresses were made at the opera house by General Wooster, of Birmingham; Captain Charles H. Price, of Ansonia; W.G. Bronson, of Noroton; Colonel Huss, of Mt. Vernon; Colonel Adams, of Greenwich, and others.