Title

The Boys in Blue

Subject

Veterans

Railroad

History--Sterling, Kansas

Description

This is a picture which has been kicking around town for more than 100 years. This much is known: the men are Civil War veterans, members of Mead Post No. 14, Grand Army of the Republic. The women are members of Women's Relief Corps No. 327, an auxiliary group. The unanswered question: What is the year, and where are these people going? G.A.R. members held state encampments each year and annual national reunions as well. Because of the large sign, which includes the name of the state, and because the railroad coach is labeled "Sleeping Car," we are inclined to think these people are headed to a national event. We know that the Kansas G.A.R., with 372 Posts, sent 14 rail cars to a national encampment in San Francisco in 1886. The clothing seems about right for the 1880's. The Sterling Post was a strong one, with some 90 members, including most of the town's business leaders.

Written by Max Moxley for his "Images of the Past" column for the Sterling Bulletin on Thursday March 9, 2000.

Source

Sterling Free Public Library, Sterling, Kansas

Publisher

Sterling Free Public Library, Sterling, Kansas

Date

1886

Contributor

Max Moxley

Rights

Reproduced with permission from the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

In Copyright

Format

image/jpeg

Language

English

Type

Photographs

Identifier

MM_farming040.jpg
MM_farming040b.jpg

Coverage

1886