National Encampment

Doth hereby grant this Charter to institute a camp at East St. Louis, Ill. to be known by the title of Nelson A. Miles Camp No. 61 Department of Illinois United Spanish War Veterans for the purpose of strengthening the spirit of fraternity and comradeship engendered among those who served honorably in the military, or naval service of the United States during the War with Spain, or in the insurrection in the Philippine Islands for the promoting of the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, to inculcate the principles of equal rights and free government and to assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection, and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of our deceased comrades.

And the said Camp No. 61 being duly and lawfully formed is hereby authorized and empowered to confer membership according to the Constitution, By laws and Orders of the National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans, upon all comrades duly proposed and lawfully qualified by honorable service to receive the same, and to administer to such comrades all privileges, rights and benefits arising from the Organization.

The comrades of said Camp No. 61 having taken a solemn obligation to support and defend the Constitution, By laws and Orders of the United Spanish War Veterans, will be recognized as comrades in good standing in the Organization throughout the United States and other countries. Upon failure to observe the Constitution, By laws and Orders of the Organization or the obligations of the membership, or misconduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Organization this charter may be suspended or revoked, by proper order at the pleasure of the Commander in Chief.

In Witness Whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed the seal of the National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans this 23rd day of December A.D. 1911.

The Nelson A. Miles Camp No. 61 was founded on January 5, 1912. It became the largest camp in southern Illinois.The camps meetings were initially held at theLabor Hall at 4th and Collinsville Avenue.The Miles Camp later held their meetings at the Catholic Community House at Fifth Street and St. Louis Avenue in East. St. Louis the first Saturday of each month. The camp had four living members left in early 1970. The Nelson A. Miles Camp passed into history with the passing of it's final member William M. Barrett on November 23, 1973.

East St. Louis Gazette - Saturday, January 6, 1912
(Contributed by Larry Kritis )

A camp of the United Spanish-American War Veterans was organized here last Friday evening at a meeting held in the office of August M. Eggmann on Collinsville avenue by department commander E. H. Hoeber of Missouri assisted by Deputies Charles Watkins and George Newton of St. Louis. The camp is to be known as the Nelson A. Miles camp.

Mr. Eggmann and Dr. T. J. Menestrina have been working for some time to organize a camp in this city. They learned that there were about 109 veterans in the city proper and about 75 who worked at the National Stock Yards. The matter was referred to Maurice Simmons, National Commander in Chief in New York city who requested the local boys to get busy. The following officers were elected; T. J. Menestrina, commander; Jacob J. Christian, senior vice commander; Henry C. Windt, junior vice commander; J.L. Sweeney, officer of the day; Meyer Hurwitz, quartermaster; August M. Eggmann; adjutant.

A banquet was served at Wood's café after the meeting.

Chickamauga Park, GA., May 19. - Battery A’s first day in camp was devoted chiefly to rest. The trip from Chattanooga was a very trying one. Railroad accommodations are utterly inadequate to handle the train loads of soldiers who are rushing into the great volunteer camp. For sixteen hours the members of the battery were confined in their cars, save for short marches, in which Capt. Rumbold kept his men close together.

Batter A was the seventy artillery company to arrive at Chickamauga Park, and its new damp adjoins that of the other artillery companies. The Missouri regiments of infantry will be placed nearly two miles from the artillery camp.

There is no sickness in the battery, and all the mean are in the best of spirits, not withstanding the fatiguing wait at Chattanooga from 1 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Capt. Rumbold expect his company to be fitted out this week. One hundred and forty-four horses and six breech-loading Hotchkiss guns are to be supplied to the battery. The men are among the best uniformed soldiers on the field.

Source: St. Louis Star - May 19, 1898

Theodore Menestrina died on April 9, 1933 and was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery. His obituary dated April 10th, 1933 from the East. St. Louis Journal reads as follows:

DR. MENESTRINA DIES FOLLOWING LONG ILLNESS. Dr. Theodore J. Menestrina, a veterinary surgeon, of 1502 State Street, died at his home Sunday at 5:40 a.m., following a lingering illness. Dr. Menestrina was preceded in death by his wife, who died March 12, last. His death is believed to have been caused by injuries when he was attacked by a bull at the Stock Yards last June.

Dr. Menestrina. Who had resided in this city for 37 years, was born in Trieste, in the Austrian Tyrol, and came to the United States 52 years ago. He came here at the age of 12 and was schooled in this country. He was a graduate of the Chicago Medical College.

He served in the Battery A division of the Missouri Volunteers in the Spanish-American War and was the first commander of the United Spanish War Veterans in East St. Louis. Dr. Menestrina belonged to the Nelson A. Miles Camp No. 61, U.S.A.W.V.

He is survived by a daughter, Leona; two sons, Julius and Leo, and three sisters, Miss Anna Menestrina of St. Louis. Mo., Mrs. Celia Christokan of Chicago, and Mrs. Mamie De Rose of New Orleans, La.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Kurrus Funeral Home to St. Joseph's church with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Funeral Services for August M. Eggmann, 60, East St. Louis real estate man, were held at 3 p.m. today at the Kurrus chapel.

He died Saturday in Barnes hospital, St. Louis, following an operation last Wednesday. Burial was in the Bellefontaine cemetery, St. Louis.

Founder of Camp

A firing squad from the Gen. Nelson A. Miles camp, Spanish-American War veterans, participated in the cemetery service. Eggmann, who left high school here in 1898 to join the U.S. cavalry and returned to graduate as valedictorian of the class, was one of the founders of the Spanish-American War veterans' camp.

Pallbearers at the funeral service were:

John Reimann
Emil Bertels
Dr. Walter Wilhelm
M.L. Harris
George W. Niergarth
R.R. Thomas
Lawrence E. Crump
George Gruenewald

Forty honorary pallbearers were present or past officers of Ainad temple shrine, of which Eggmann was a potentate in 1933. He also was a member of the Mississippi Valley Consistory, a president of the East St. Louis Real Estate exchange, and former member of various other organizations.

Eggmann was a native of East St. Louis. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Frieda Summa Eggmann, and two children, Theodore Eggmann of East St. Louis and Mrs. Virginia Dieffenbach, of Englewood, N.J. He also leaves five brothers; George, retired cashier of the old Republic Iron & Steel Co.; Tancred, Granite City real estate dealer; Emil W., East St. Louis attorney; Horace and Richard Eggmann, East St. Louis real estate men.

SPANISH WAR VETERANS FORM LADIES' AUXILIARY
East St. Louis Gazette - May 16, 1913
(Contributed by Larry Kritis )

Nelson A. Miles Camp, United Spanish War Veterans, has organized a ladies' auxiliary, comprising the wives of the members.

The local camp is negotiating to land the national convention for East St. Louis in 1914. The Cuban War boys will also be with the G.A.R. on their march Decoration Day and are making plans to attend the state G.A.R. encampment at Alton.

The officers of the camp are Clyde W. Harkness, adjutant; T. J. Menestrina, Q.M.

Note: Gazette writer most probably meant State Convention. The State Convention was held at East St. Louis in 1914. (See following story).

The members of the Nelson A. Miles Camp at East St. Louis are making great preparations to entertain the visitors. This is the first time the encampment has been held in the southern part of the state.

One of the matters that is expected to come before the encampment is a resolution recommending the formation of state constabulary to do the work, that is now being done by the National Guard, thus making the National Guard a second line of defense to the regular army. It is expected that this will be opposed by some of the officers of the National Guard. Another resolution tending to reform a reserve corps to the standing army to be composed mostly of soldiers and sailors who have had service will possibly be introduced. The organization has several regiments under formation at the present time.

The 8^th Army Corps of Illinois U.S.W.V. consisting of members of the organization who served in the Philippines will also be held. About half of the active members are Philippine veterans and the annual reunion is always looked forward to by the members. Regimental reunions of the 4th and 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry will also be held.

The report of the department officers will show a material increase in the membership during the year. Five new camps and one thousand new members were added during the year.

This department has materially assisted in pushing through Congress a bill to pension widows and orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors of Spanish War Veterans. This bill has passed the House and has been favorably recommended by the Senate Committee on pensions. It is expected that an early vote will be taken.

Among the notables that will attend are Lieut. Gov. Barrett O'Hara, Adjutant General F.S. Dickson, Commander in Chief John Lewis Smith, Past Senior Vice Commander in Chief E. H. Hoeber, Senator J. Ham Lewis and others.

The leading candidates for the office of Commander will be Senior Vice Commander Chas. L. Daniels and Chief of Staff P.J. Skerrett. Both men have been very active for the organization and making a strenuous campaign. As both have many friends throughout the state a close election is expected. Quincy and Rock Island will be the leading cities to ask for the 1915 encampment.

East St. Louis has capitulated, the United Spanish War Veterans have captured East St. Louis, and East St. Louis is theirs. The Mayor has so decreed it and his word is law. In the City Hall auditorium this morning his honor, Mayor John M. Chamberlin, told the three hundred delegates present at the eleventh annual convention that for three days the keys of the city belonged to the veterans.

"We are glad to welcome you here and more glad to give you the keys of the city. We want you to get better acquainted with East St. Louis," he said, and then he told them of forty seven reasons why East St. Louis was the best city in the land.

He was responded to by John F. Tipton, of Springfield. In a pretty little address he accepted the keys of the city on behalf of the Veterans and said that he would return them after three days, unsullied and untarnished.

He said, "We realize that East St. Louis is a great and growing city, and we are glad of it. We like to hold our conventions in cities that are alive, and this is sure some live burg. We anticipate a big and well-attended convention. There is much enthusiasm already manifested and I know that our stay in your city will be pleasant."

John F. O'Flaherty, Commander of Nelson A. Miles No. 61, of East St. Louis, said in part as he welcomed his comrades.

"On behalf of the comrades of Nelson A. Miles Camp I bid you a hearty and comrades welcome to the Eleventh Annual Encampment of the Department of Illinois of the United Spanish War Veterans."

"At the time of our country's call to arms back in ‘98 we went armed to uphold her honor and defend her cause. And just as we met then in time of war we now meet in time of peace to recall the days that have gone by and to keep alive our beloved organizations of those who answered duty's call."

"For this encampment the Department of Illinois has selected the City of East St. Louis, and has honored not only the city of East St. Louis, but St. Clair county as well. But let me ensure you, my comrades, that you have selected the only county in the state of Illinois that has always stood at the very forefront of patriotism; the county has given as many of her brave sons for their country as any other county of its size in this great United States."

A number of the veterans from Missouri, who are just completing their encampment in St. Louis, are in attendance today and a number of them made short addresses.

Lieutenant Governor Barrett O'Hara. Ex-Congressman Rodenberg, Ex-Mayor Silas Cook, also made short talks.

The following officers of the State Association are in attendance: Carl McKee, commander, Joliet; Chas. L. Daniels, senior vice commander, Chicago; M.J. Donahue, junior vice commander, Streator; P.J. Skerritt, chief of staff, Chicago; Martin Sipple, adjutant, Elgin; Philo A. Hoyt, quartermaster, Joliet; Leslie J. Snyder, inspector, Bloomington; R.E. Hickman, judge advocate, Benton; H.C. Blankenmeyer, surgeon, Springfield; H.W. Jameson, D.D. chaplain, Decatur; J.L. Sweeney, marshal, East St. Louis; W.F. DeVoe, organizer, Pontiac.

The officers of the local camp are: Commander, John F. O'Flaherty; adjutant, Louis E. Wilde; quartermaster, Dr. T.J. Menestrina; senior vice commander, Julius Schneider; junior vice commander, Lee Hoffman.

A business session will be held from 2 to 5 o'clock p.m. and this evening a theater part will be enjoyed at the Erber's Avenue theater.

Headquarters for the Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary are at the Illmo Hotel and the comrades and sisters are being well cared for by Manager Gillen and his efficient staff.

The Ladies Aixiliary has about one hundred members in the city. The officers are: Commander, Mrs. Emma M. Couch, Peoria; senior vice commander, Mrs. Marie Baumer, Chicago; junior vice commander, Mrs. Agnes K. Kaudson, Chicago; secretary, Mrs. Margaret Heming; treasurer, Mrs. Katie S. Ward, Peoria; chaplain, Mrs. Hattie Peck, Chicago; installing officer, Mrs. Helen Rozney, Cicero; inspector, Mrs. Ruth Lowell, Chicago; judge advocate, Mrs. Corilla Kittleson, Rockford; conductor, Mrs. Jennie Pace, Bloomington; guard, Mrs. Bertha Schneider, East St. Louis; assistant guide, Mrs. Jennie Donahue, Streator; chief of staff Wilhelmina K. Borgmeier, Chicago.

The Ladies Auxiliary are holding their meetings in the Metropolitan building.

Election of officers in both the Veterans and the Auxiliary will be held tomorrow afternoon, and the selection of the next meeting. Rock Island, it is said, has that clinched, as the hustling committee from the city have been working hard and have every visitor wearing a Rock Island badge.

There are two candidates for commander of the Veterans, Dr. Charles L. Daniels of Chicago, present senior vice commander, and I.A. Gaskey of Chicago.

In the Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs. Marie Baumer of Chicago, seems to have no opposition for commander.

The city is in gay attire and every one has appointed himself or herself, as the case may be as committee of one to entertain the guests. The weather is ideal and every incoming train brings a number of visitors.

The city officials are doing everything in their power to make the stay of the veterans and their friends a pleasant one, and it seems that their efforts are meeting with success.

A business session will be held tomorrow morning and afternoon, and Saturday morning and afternoon in the City Hall auditorium and also the Metropolitan building.

Tomorrow afternoon will be the military parade, and tomorrow evening the dance in the Elk's Club. Saturday evening will be given the celebrated "Ye Snaix Annual Crawl of the Serpent."

F.H. Hoeber, past senior vice commander, in his address said: "There is a lack of respect and of the feeling of sacredness that should be associated with such occasions as Memorial Day. Many Spanish War veterans are inactive in what is more serious than this - the care of widows of veterans." Memorial exercises were held for 23 of the comrades who had gone before.

The annual election of officers and selection of the 1915 encampment city will be held today. Rock Island is making a strong fight for the encampment and the Rock Island delegates say they have assurances their city will be chosen.

Chicago sent a delegation of about 200, who arrived this morning. They are seeking the encampment, but are willing to yield to Rock Island if given assurance that the 1916 encampment will be in Chicago.

Women delegates to the State Encampment of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Spanish War Veterans attended a meeting of the men's organizations in the city hall before going to their own meeting this morning.

At 4:30 p.m. Friday, a military parade, participated in by all the organizations of a military nature in East St. Louis, will march through the down town streets. The parade will be headed by the U.S. Infantry Band from Jefferson Barracks, and a detachment of soldiers.

M.J. Donahue of Streator, Ill., is candidate for the junior vice commander of the association.

Last night the Veterans and their ladies enjoyed a theater party at the Avenue theater. Tonight there will be a grand ball at the Elks club.

It was conducive of much good to the organization, and every one went away well pleased with the way in which East St. Louis treated them. The East St. Louis residents and business men were hospitality personified and resolutions were adopted thanking each and every one for their assistance in making the convention a success.

The dance and reception held at the Elks club, and attended by several hundred visitors a like number of East St. Louisans, was one of the bright features of the meeting.

Saturday morning the following officers were elected, after Rock Island was selected as the meeting place for 1915.

Department Commander, Chas. L. Daniels, Chicago; Senior Vice-Commander, M.J. Donahue, Streator; Junior Vice-Commander, Geo.Lee, Chicago; Judge Advocate, O.C. Smith, Benton; Surgeon, Wm. F. Schaare, Chicago; Inspector, Clyde W. Harkness, East St. Louis; Chaplain, Dr. H. W. Jameson, D.D., Decatur; Marshal, Wm. Orthman, Chicago.

The Department Commander appointed Martin Sipple of Elgin as department adjutant. This is the fourth consecutive year that Sipple has held the office.

Department headquarters will remain in Elgin.

The Ladies Auxiliary elected the following officers: President, Mrs. Marie Baumer, Chicago; Senior Vice President, Mrs. Olivia Reed, Elgin; Junior Vice President, Mrs. Lottie Snyder, Bloomington; Chaplain, Mrs. Olga Sylvester, Chicago; Secretary, Mrs. Wilhemina Borgmeier, Chicago; Treasurer, Mrs. Maliel Laker, Chicago.

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