The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-10-16
The SOLDIER Monument.
Laying the Corner Stone.
rggfN 4 NItTskA
: fIuteresttng CeremOmles. &c.

4
| Thursday last will long be remembered by
our citizens as the time when the Corner
Stone was laid of the monument to be erected
by the people of this county, to preserve for
future time the names OF the soldiers Of La
Sale county who sacrificed their lives in fight
| ing against rebellion to destroy the union.
Descriptions of this monument and its proba-
bic cost, have so often appeared in this paper,
that we need not repeat them here; we need
only say that the structure will be an orna-
ment to the city as well as a credit to snch
men as contributed TO its fund out of truly
patriotic motives.
The weather on Thursday was by no means
agreeable. A bitter cold wind howled from
the northwest, and overcoats, furs and winter
clothing were in lively demand. Notwith-
standing this frigid state of the weather, how
ever, at an early hour the streets began to fill
up with teams, and the sidewalks to be
crowded with people Delegations came from
the country in every direction. The town of
Serena was representedby an excellent martial
band and many citizens; and Streator by a
long procession of carriages and bHggies,
escorted by brass band The crowd of peo-
pie rapidly increased towards room, and after
the arrival of the trains, nesr two o'clock, the
| streets and walks around the court house
square and in the vicinity Of the Clifton Hotel
were literally full of men, women and child
rem, so that it was with some difficulty that
the PROCESSION was formed. When all was
ready Capt. L. A Rising, Chief Marshal, his
Aids, 1t. Col. Brush Capt. John Kellogg,
Capt r. w. Buchanan, Ed. Thompson, Maj.
Taylor and 1t. L. Nattinger, organized the
grand procession on Columbus and Madison
streets, as follows
The Ottawa Brass Band, escorting soldiers
the Officers OF the Day, including the Judges
ofthe SupremeC Court and Reporter; the County
and City Officers and Board of Education
tneL Sale Brass Band, escorting the Niagara
and Undine Fire Companies; the French and
German Benevolent Societies the Turnve-
rein OF Ottawa, La Sale and Peru; the Srea-
tor Brass Band, escor,ing the Odd Fellows,
who were in their beautiful uniform, and were
large and attractive portion of the process
sion; the Joliet Brass Band, escorting the
Ottawa Command.ry No. TO- Knights Temp
lar st. John CnmH,andery No. 81, Peru
Knights Tenplar, ana the Masonic Fraternity,
all attired in their proper rcgalia and consti-
tuting one of the leading parts OF she occasion.
The chief feature. however, was sh- Knights
Templar Of Peru and Ottawa ThSSr uniforms,
deep black, relieved with sufficient white to
make the contrast perfect their -volutions
while marching their dignifed demeanor and
fine appearance in gcnerab caTcd forth the
unqualified applause Of the multitude; and
of this deserved compliment the KRights OF
Peru, under the command OF Eminent Sir
Knight W. B. Powell, received liSeral and
merited share. To J. f. Nash, ESQ., of this
city, is due the credit Of contributing largely
to the fine appearance Of the Knights -
Ottawa.
There were sixteen flags in the processio,s,
inclusive Of one or two war.worn and bullet
pierced veterans, which had done duty on
many q field in the late war.
{, The procession marched around the court
house square, and through parts OF our prin-
cIpdl streets, in accordance with the pro.
sraInme heretofore announced, md on arriv-
ing at Washington Square, halted around the
bace OF the:monument to be erected. Here
several thousand people were assembled, Wait
ing to witness the laying Of the corner stone
which was done in the solemn and impressive
manner, in use by the Masonic fraternity.
The ceremonies were admirably conducted
by the Right Wor-aipful Dewitt C. Cregier, OF
Chicago, Deputy Grand Master OF the State
Of illinois. He was assisted by y 3. Cash
man, of Chicago, who officlated is Grand
Marshal, and by Grand Tyler Fearns, of the
came city. o., egss ass
The ceremonies were: mr1yic; an cxplana
ton 10 the people Of the objec, of the assem-
blage, by Right Worshipiul bepMty G.. NJ
4 d. G. Cregier, who briefly and in the mos,
fitting words performed his solemn duty. LII
was followed by an appropriate nna ferven'
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Estabrook, sctine
Grand Chaplain. .a,. .,3I. (. ,,,l3 ',,,o
The list of contents Of the box placed under
the stone was read as follows:
Names ofthe officers Of the Association.
Copies Of the county newspapers; The
Ottawa Free Trader, Statesman, Republican