In Stillwater

"Twenty-four years after the battle of Bull Run--on July 21, 1885--at the call of Adam Marty, 34 veterans of Bull Run assembled at dinner in Stillwater, Minn. Foreseeing that in the coming years death would decimate their ranks, they founded the Last Man's Club. Each year they agreed to meet again on the anniversary of the battle. A bottle of wine was dedicated to the last man, who should open the precious bottle and drink a toast to his departed comrades.

"A year ago but five of the original group assembled, including in their number Adam Marty. This year 34 places were set as usual, shining with bright silver and glassware. In the center of the table, amid the decorations, rested the consecrated bottle. Thirty chairs were draped with black, among them Adam Marty's. One survivor was too decrepit to make the journey from his Florida home. But three men dined where once 34 had supped. Too soon will the bottle's cork be pulled."

The above item was printed in TIME three years ago.

Last week the three still hung on, held their trysting with Death once more, but this time another draped chair, was added to the swaths of barren seats closing in on the survivors. An aged woman bustled about arranging the grim table prettily. She was the widow of the color bearer of old "B" company.

And clustered close drew the three comrades, with Death at their elbows, and as the oldest rose totteringly he spoke in a voice audible only for a few feet. Peter Hall, 88, whispered faintly: "We are getting older, and our ailments increasing, and feebleness and weakness make it difficult ... to meet much longer. . . ." He proposed a "last three club" or a "last two club."

But John Goff, 83, the juvenile member howbeit the most infirm, interrupted his indignant thoughts, by retorting through his white moustaches and militant beard: "Yes, and the whole bunch of us may be alive and kicking around for years. We'd better trust to luck and see how the weather is." And he jedked forward suddenly, impatient with his greyhaired unsoldierlike companions.

Charles Lockwood, who has wintered 84 Februaries and looks good for a score more, suggested thoughtfully that still it was quite likely : "We may none of us be here another year."

Standpatter Goff was reluctant to abandon the original intention of the club, but he gave in when he. saw that his old friends were in agreement.

Now the club is to disband. If one of the three ancient rankers dies before next July 21, the remaining two are to call a final meeting as soon as they think best. And from the years that are dead

they will lift the precious wine to drink a toast to their departed frends and a salute to their own Deaths.