The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-06-03
DECORATION DAY.
Its Observance in this City.
Imposing Ceremonies.

ITS Observance in this City
Imposing Ceremonies.
As has been the custom in this city for the
past four years, on the 3Oth day of May our
citizens assembled and repaired to the several
Cemeteries to strew with flowers the graves
of the honored dead who gave their lives that
our Nation might live. In accordance with
the proclamation of Mayor Poe, most of our
business men closed their stores and shops,
and participated in the solemn and impressive
ceremonies of the occasion.
At l O'Clock. promptly, Marshals McGraw
and Finney were on hand, and were about
forming the procession when the "heavens
commenced weeping, and for an hour the tears
came down in torrents" but at O'Clock the
clouds dispersed and the sun shone out, and
the procession was formed in accordance with
the progra mme: Richmond Cornet Band; Sol
die-s of the late war, comm anded by Captain
Richard " iliams; car containing beautiful
monument to the memory of Richmond SOL
diers who sleep in Southern soil. This mon
ument was prepared by Mr.. Ritter, and reflects
much credit upon his skill as artist. In
the car was also represented the Goddess OF
Liberty in mourning, well personated by Miss
HeintzleMan. She was surrounded by six
little boys and girls, orphans of soldiers. The
procession, numbering over one hundred We.
hicles, proceeded to Maple Grove Cemetery,
where the exercises were: Music by the Cor
net Band; prayer by Rev. DR.. Wakefield; ode'
composed by Mrs. Jordan, sung by Grace
Church Choir; address by Rev. DR.. Hughes.
The address was well written and admirably
delivered. 1t should be printed entire, con-
sequently we refrain from giving even an cut
line. After the address. Mrs. Jordan, Mrs
Stearns, Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. Messick pla.
ced on the grave of each soldier a beautiful
floral tribute in honor of the memory Of the
brave one who slept beneath. While these
impressive exercises were TRANSPORTING, the
Band played solemn drge. After all the
graves in Maple Grove had been thus horored,
the procession reformed and proceeded to the
Public Cemetery, where like ceremonies took
place, in charge of Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Little,
Mrs. Salter and Mrs. Swayne. While the
decoration was in progress, the Band played
. mouruful refrain, and at the conclnsicn
Grace Church Choir sang tn, beautiful song
composed by Mrs. Jordan, commencing
"With reverent steps we come"
The cortege then proceeded to Earlham
Cemetery, where repose number OF brave
soldiers. Here the exercises were: Music by
the Band; PRAYER by Rev. Mr. Miller; ode by
Grace Church Choir, and it was one of the
most beautiful songs that we ever heard, and
, ddress by Rev. Mr.. Miller. The address was
extempore. but if the Rev. gentleman had de-
voted weeks Of study in its preparation, he
; could not have made happier effort. Not a
word was uttered that did not meet the hearty
commentator of all present, and when he re-
ferred to Captain Stidham and the other brave
men lying there, who gave their lives sacri-
J flee for their country, many eyes unused to
weeping, were suffused with tears. At the
conclusion of Mr.. Miiler's remarks, the graves
were appropriately decorated, after which the
= doxology was sung by the assemblage, the
benedcton pronounced, and all returned tc
their homes feeling that they had paid a deb,
1 of gratitude they owed to the honored dead.
Considering the unfavorable weat Their, the
r demonstration was very fine. Had the day
been fair, it would have been much the larg
es ever witnessed in Richmond.
DEcoRATIoN-The Committee having il
charge tn e decoration of our Soldiers q ayes
met Thursday evening, and organized them
J. selves into Society, that they might b
b better able to act next Spring. The follow
ing officers were chosen:
President-Mrs. d, NJ. Jordan.
c Secretary-Mrs. H A. Evans.
n Treasurer--Mrs. E D. Palmer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
First Ward-Mrs Sidney Smith, Mrs Cha,
l. Little, Mrs Geo NJ Graves.
= Second Ward--Mrs E Salter, Mrs job
q Messick, Mrs Swayne.
Third Ward-Mrs John Stearns, Mr.
Durham, Miss Heiutzleman.
u Fourth Ward-Mrs c A Dickinson, Mr
" McGraw, Miss Dora Evans.
Fifth Ward-Mrs John D. Virgins, Mr.
~ Z Siddall. Mrs r Vans,nt.
u The Committee passed resolution el
,r pressing their appreciation CT the services
- Mcssrs c. R. Johnson and Peter Ritter. III
first named for the satisfactory manner
which he rendered his aid on that occasion
and the latter for his kindness in making te
II us the monument in honor OF the absent ons
who sleep far away from their loved one
j. and both viii! be gratefully remembered.
IS II. A. EVANS, Secretary.
On Saturday last the Friendship Sabbat
- School of Delaware county, Ohio, was Wis
e ted by other schools of both Ohio and Ind
ana There we're eleven schools represents