A Warm Welcome in Tacoma for the GAR

Members of Stevens Post, with ladies, to the number of about forty, headed by A. H. Brookse, Department Commander, and certain members of his staff, and Governor W. C. Squire, left Seattle on the steamer Monroe on Monday afternoon at 3:30, for the purpose of uniting with Custer Post of Tacoma in receiving and welcoming General Koontz, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States, who, with numbers of his staff, is making a personal inspection of the departments of the Grand Army of the Republic on the Pacific Coast and elsewhere. After a most delightful trip over the placid waters of Puget Sound, the excursionists arrived at Tacoma at 6:30 p.m. The visiting delegation was received and welcomed by a delegation from Custer Post, and escorted to the hall on Pacific Avenue, the ladies of the relief corps being received at the hall by ladies of the relief corps of Tacoma. At 8 o'clock, Mrs. General Custer, who was a guest at the Hotel Tacoma, with Mrs. Calhoon and Miss Banning of St. Paul, accompanied the party from the hotel to the hall, where the ceremonies were opened by prayer. After some singing and music by the band, the address of welcome was delivered by Department Commander Brookes. Commander-in-Chief Koontz responded, and after the program, all those desirous of shaking hands with General Koontz and Mrs. Custer, widow of one of our country's heroes, were accorded the privilege of doing so.