ISHPEMING — The summer of 1902 featured a third event. It wasn’t quite as splashy as either the circus or the wild west show, except maybe for the battle reenactment, but it was, in its own way, very important.

“The Upper Peninsula Veterans Association will hold its annual reunion this year in Ishpeming, the dates being Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15 and 16. Members of the local post are busy making preparations for the event and expect to make the meeting one of the most successful in the history of the association. There will be several hundred old soldiers present and they will be royally entertained during their stay in the city.” (Iron Ore, June 7, 1902) (Please note, the dates for the event were incorrect in that article, the event was really held on the 9th and 10th of July.)

Not much is known about the Upper Peninsula Veterans Association. Its main function appears to have been holding reunions for war veterans of both the Civil War and the Spanish American war.

“Preparations for the event are now under way, a fine program having been arranged. Funds for the successful carrying out of the plans are being solicited, lists being signed at the local banks. People are requested to step in and assist with their subscriptions.

The old soldiers are yearly growing less and they figure this will be the last meeting they will hold in Ishpeming. Every citizen should endeavor to show their appreciation of these old defenders of our country, and in every way possible make their celebration here a grand success. Mayor Felch has appointed a committee from the common council and is doing much to assist. All others should join in the movement and give the old soldiers a rousing good time. Ishpeming has been honored by being named as the place of holding the meeting and we must see to it that our record for entertaining the visitors is well kept up.” (Iron Ore, June 21, 1902)

“Members of the local post of the Grand Army will spend the next few days working in the interest of the annual reunion of the upper peninsula veterans to be held in this city Wednesday and Thursday next. The funds are not coming in fast enough, so a committee will solicit from the leading citizens. The entertainments and business sessions during the meeting will be held in the Anderson hall.

The Ishpeming City band was engaged Thursday to furnish the music. A.C. Wead, president of the association, spent Thursday in the city completing arrangements for the reunion. He worked in conjunction with the other members of Charles H. Towne post.” (Mining Journal, July 5, 1902)

“Elaborate preparations have been made for the entertainment of the comrades of the Grand Army, Spanish American war veterans, members of the Women’s Relief corps and sons of veterans who will be our guests on those days. A large attendance is expected and all who come will be well cared for.” (Iron Ore, July 5, 1902)

Several speakers of note will be present and address the meetings held in the opera house on the two evenings of the dates of the reunion. The following program has been arranged and will be faithfully carried out:

Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. – Opening of seventh annual reunion at opera house. Address of welcome, Mayor T.A. Felch. Responses by several comrades.

2:30 p.m. – Trolley ride from Lake Angeline to Negaunee and return.

3 p.m. – War concert at the opera house.

Thursday – a.m. – At opera house, regular meeting, locating the next reunion and election of officers.

2 – Parade.

3:30 p.m. – Sham battle in which the Ishpeming Light Guard and Lake Superior Guard will take part. In the neighborhood of eighty men will participate in the fight. The battle will take place at Brass Wire hill near the golf club house. This promises to be on the most exciting events ever seen here and will probably be witnessed by thousands of people.

5:30 p.m. – Lunch at the club house.

8 p.m. – Camp fire at the opera house.” (Iron Ore, July 5, 1902)

At last, the eagerly anticipated event arrived.

“Yesterday was old soldier’s day in Ishpeming. Today the veterans of the wars of ’61-’65 and ’98 will own the city. The attendance yesterday was not as large as expected, but several delegations will arrive this morning.

The businesspeople responded to the request of the local veterans to decorate. The national colors are flying from almost every block, as well as from several of the private dwellings. Every public and private flagpole in Ishpeming flies the stars and stripes. A large banner extending welcome to the visitors is stretched across Main street at the intersection of Pearl. Opposite the Voelker brownstone block, which is the old soldiers’ headquarters, is an electrical sign with the words, ‘Welcome G.A.R.'” (Mining Journal, July 10, 1902)

There were some notable visitors, including Ann Paterson from Atkinson, Michigan. She was a nurse attached to a Wisconsin company during the civil war. Governor Bliss accepted the invitation and was expected to arrive Thursday morning. W.H. Thompson, a fine orator, was among the veterans from the northwest.

“Today’s exercises will be participated in by all the old soldiers, from thirty-five to forty members of the Spanish American war and the two local military companies. Captain Wheeler of Marquette will be in command of the Cuban Veterans.” (Mining Journal, July 10, 1902)

“At the closing session yesterday, A.J. Scott of Hancock, was unanimously chosen president of the veterans’ association. In his address to the old soldiers, in which he thanked them for the honor conferred, Mr. Scott extended a most hearty invitation to hold the next annual reunion at Hancock. He assured his comrades that Hancock people will give them a most hearty welcome and a good tie. He called attention to the fact that the Grand Army men had never visited any of the copper country towns during the life of their organizations. The iron country towns have had three of the seven meetings to date.” (Mining Journal, July 11, 1902)

The sham battle was probably the noisiest part of the entertainments and at least 5,000 people were on hand to witness the event.

“The sham battle was participated in by members of the two local military companies and was very realistic, bringing the memories of the old soldiers back to the times when battles were not sham. The fight took place on the side hill opposite the park (Union Park) and was witnessed by thousands of people. About three thousand rounds of ammunition were discharged. A number of sticks of dynamite were also set off on a neighboring hill with excellent battery effect. The scrimmage came to an end after a half hour’s maneuvering, the attacking party finally capturing the intrenchments of the enemy without serious loss.

At the conclusion of the battle the old veterans and members of the military companies repaired to the golf club where an excellent lunch was served by ladies of the Grace Episcopal church. The reunion was a success in every respect. The old soldiers were enthusiastic in their praise of the manner in which they were treated by members of the local post and the citizens generally. In fact many of them said they had never enjoyed themselves better at any reunion in the history of the association.” (Iron Ore, July 12, 1902)