Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-06-01
MEM0RIAL DAY.
ITS OBSERVANCE IN INDEPEN
DENCE,

~04AVxbAxRA La L.
IT'S OBSERVANCE IN 1NDEpEN.
DENCE.
A Large Crowd, and Most Impressive
Occasion.
The first observance of Decoration
Day IN our city, under the auspices Of
the Independence Guards, was most sue
cessful in every respect. and fully up to
the expectations of its promoters, save
possibly in the number present. At this
busy season of the year it was not to be
expected that farmers would generally
leave their work to participate in an oc.
caslon like this, still there was large
crowd OF people present from the coun-
ry, our neighboring town of Jesup turn.
ing out almost en- masse. 1t would prob
ably be safe estimate to say that from
1000 to / 500 people besides our own cit
zens participated in the exercises. The
only drawback to the perfect enjoyment
of the day was the clouds of dust which
lose from the streets, and driven by the
wind, penetrated and pervaded every
thing.
The programme marked out by the
committee, was closely adhered to. AT
10 o'clock A. NJ, the Indepenpence
Guards, Capt. F. G. Merrill commanding,
clad in their tasteful uniform, and armed
with their new Springfield breech-loading
muskets, filed out of their armory, and
forming on Main Street, marched to the
music of divers Cornet Band to the resi-
dence of DR.. p. Tabor, on the corner of
Court and Mott Streets. Here they halt
ed in line, when a number of young lad
les appeared on the scene, bearing very
tasteful American flag. Miss Louie Hol
lett then stepped to the front and in
graceful style addressed Capt. Merrill as
follows:
CAPTAIN MERRILL:--On behalf of the
young ladies, l present this flag to the
Guards. 1t is beautiful thought that il
should be first unfurled ON the occasion
of the decoration of the graves of those
who fought for their country. May its
broad folds never be dimmed by the
smoke Of battle, but in peace or war,
may it wave victorious to the last.
At the conclusion of her remarks. Miss
Hollctt delivered the flag into the hands
Of Capt. Merrill, who made response in
behalf of the company as follows:
"LADIEs:-In behalf of the Indepen
dence Guards, thank you for this beau
tiful flag. We take it with simply i
thank YOU For, owing to the circum
stances under which this company was
organized, and the harmony and quiet
which now reign throughout our country,
it would hardly be appropriate for me to
set forth in stirring words how herelcally
we would defend it from the hand of the
enemy, or how willingly we would die
beneath its folds rather than see it tramp
led in the dust by an invading foe. No,
we are not likely to be called upon to
make this sacrifice. We have not organ
lied with the expectation of being called
upon to witness such scenes as this, there
fore such remarks would be mere boast
ing. We desire to be an organization
that our country shall be proud of. We
have sworn to abide by and protect the
laws of the State of Iowa; this we propose
to do. We have organized for the promo
ton and advancement Of military educa
ton, the necessity of which is readily
conceived by every American citizen
This flag we accept as token of the in
terest you manifest in our success. May
you never have cause to retract that IN
terest. Our ranks are now well filled, we
are nicely armed and equipped, and to
complete the whole we now have flag
the standard of our country, the Red
White and Blue! Long may it wave
DER the land of the free and the home OF
the brave"
The Guards then resumed their line OF
march to the Court House, where they re
ceived with all the honors, a company OF
veterans of the war, IS to 100 strong,
gathered from all parts of the county
This company of veterans. who had
fought through the Rebellion, and to
whom the garlanding of the graves OF
their dead comrades, had a Significance
not known to others, were the feature OF
the occasion, and as they marched with
firm step, and the air of men accustomed
to arms, they were the observed of all OBJ
servers. They were commanded by
Capt w. T. Spencer, who was clad in
the war-worn uniform of Captain OF
artillery. Thus re enforced, the compa
ny marched down to the engine house
where the Steamer Company, and Catar-
act Fire Company were drawn up
These filed into the line, and after them
the acting Mayor and City Council, and
citizens in carriages. The line being now
complete, the procession, under the charge
of c. F. Herrick, as Chief Marshal, and
DR.. Wilson, Assistant, proceeded oyel
the route heretofore indicated. At the
intersection of Main and Walnut, com
pany of young girls tastefully dressed
representing the States of the Union
wearing badges and decked with flowers
also bearing flowers in their hands, join
ed the procession, making very pleas
ing and unique display.
Arrived at the Cemetery, the process
sion filed to the left into the open space
opposite the city of the dead, where {
stand had been erected for the formal ex
ercises of the occasion This, the or owe
surrounded, and when all was still, d. D.
Holdridge, Esq, President of the Day
introduced Rev. F. &. Wolfe, who PRO
nounced the invocation. After this, came
a patriotic song, performed in excellent
style by quartette of male voices. The
next in order was the Grafton by Jed Lake
Esq. This was an impromptu effort,
and was pronounced by all who
heard it, a most praisworthy and
observation-disclosures, full of patriotic
suggestions, and interesting "reminiscences
of the bloody strife. in which those
whose graves were to be decorated tina
day, sacrificed their lives for their coun
try At the conclusion of Col. Lakes al
dress, which was received with many toll