104 Years Ago This Week, Golden was hosting a Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) convention. Many of the Veterans themselves were gone by 1921 (56 years after the end of the war), but the G.A.R. was still active, with sons and daughters of the veterans filling in the ranks.
The West family–owners of the Transcript–had a close personal tie to Civil War veterans, as George West (Transcript founder) had served as a Captain of Cavalry in the Union army. Captain West had been deeply involved in veterans' organizations, and Eliza West was active with the Women’s Relief Corps.
The many articles about this convention display a great sense of civic pride, that Golden should be hosting such a gathering. They also show a certain wistfulness. The owner of the Transcript at that time was Harley West, son of George and Eliza West. George had died in 1906 and Eliza died in 1920. I’m sure Harley was wishing his parents could be a part of it all.
The excitement began a week early, when the June 16th Transcript gave a run-down on the planned events. It also got in a dig at other cities
...where encampments have in the past neglected to show just consideration to the old boys in blue. In fact, it was a common complaint that the national colors were conspicuous by their absence. As a result, a very unfavorable impression went home with the delegates.
Golden would make no such mistake.
The June 23rd Transcript was written in the midst of the convention. The front page featured telegrams from President Warren G. Harding and Colorado Governor Oliver Henry Nelson Shoup.
The paper reported that the ladies were meeting in the assembly room in the Armory, while the men were meeting in Guggenheim Hall. The Transcript could not say enough about the flags and bunting all around town, which the past Commander in Chief of the Grand Army pronounced “worthy of a city of fifty thousand population.” Golden was home to 2100 at the time.
That issue detailed the entertainment provided for conventioneers, which included a performance by the Industrial School Band, concerts by military bands, a parade, and a performance of H.M.S. Pinafore, with an all-male cast consisting of students from the Industrial School. (“Kermit Angel…captivated the visitors by his ladylike manner.”)
One article reminded readers that Golden’s was one of the oldest G.A.R. posts in the state, having been formed in 1879. Another stated that Golden was the site of the first Soldiers’ Home in Colorado, organized by the Golden ladies of the Relief Corps. It went on to say that the late Capt. Edward Berthoud had donated a cottage for use as a Soldiers’ Home in memory of his deceased wife, Helen.
Harley West overcame his natural modesty with a brief article titled “Braggin’ a Bit:”
The Transcript is not given to bragging but it feels so puffed up over the feature on the front page of this issue that it can’t help but pat itself on the back a little. When a small country newspaper is able to publish messages from the president of the United States and the governor of the state, written exclusively for that paper for a special occasion, it really has something to be proud about. So far as known, no other paper in the country has been able to do this, hence this self-bestowed bouquet. The messages are direct to the Grand Army encampment delegates, now in Golden, and we know that old Boys in Blue will appreciate them to the fullest degree.
Needless the say, the June 30th issue had to recap the triumphant occasion. A column entitled “Encampment Echoes” begins by saying, “The space in an entire paper would be required to mention all the compliments bestowed upon Golden and its people by the delegates who were here for the big doings last week. One thing is certain, Golden will always have a warm spot in their hearts.
The 1921 G.A.R. Encampment was a big event in Golden history–and in the life of its newspaper editor.
