The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-09-30
THE CLOSING SCENES.
The World Pays Its Last Homage to the
Memory OF the Illustrious Dead-Who
was buried mt cleveland, Ohio, Mon
day, Sept. s0th, 1881.

|
Memory OF the Hlustrious Dead-Who
was buried at cleveland, Ohio, Mon.
day, Sept. seth, 1881.
| Observances mt Mankato.
Last Monday the patriotic people Of
the entire Globe, testified their deep
respect for the late President and their
great sympathy created by his long and
weary weeks of suffering upon bed Of
sickness caused by foul assassin's
bullet. And if outward signs arc any
criterion for rendering judgment, then
the whole world expressed their uni
versal regret at the loss of so noble a
patriot, so eminent statesman and so
successful Chief Executive of 10000
600 of free people rs was James A.
Garfield. While at Cleveland tens of
thousands of mourners followed the sad
pageant to the last resting place of the
illust rious dead, many other millions
mourned in sympathy with them in
less conspicuous manner.
At Mankato the general observanccs
were under tho auspices of the Young
Mems Christian Association, who en-
gagged the spacious Opera House, and
assisted by he ladies, transformed the
place Of pleasure into one more bciitting
the occasion. From either side of the
large stage in the form of half circle
hung curtain of Grape reaching from
ceiling to floor. In the center of this
hung large portrait Of President Gar
field, while above the picture was sus-
pended the emblem of our nation; the
drop curtain was lowered about six feet
and envelopcd in Grape, and from this
surface hung loops of the same sombrc
material, each loop being fastened with
a black lace bow and streamers the
organ, speakers desk and chandeliers
were also shrouded, while around the
gallery were hung foldsof Grape. Upon
the stage great profusion OF beautiful
flowers and trailing vines exhibited
vivid contrast to the otherwise sombre
decorations. At an early hour the
streets were alive with pedestrians wend
ing their way to the scene of mourning.
The house was rapidly filled with 1900
persons while hundreds went away I'M
able to gain entrance. Upon the stage
were seated many of our prominent
citizens and full choir with Judge d.
A. Dickinson president of the exercises,
who opened the meeting with few ap-
propriate remarks, and announced music
by male quartet under the leadership
OF Prot. Gorrie. Prayer followed by
Rev. Merriam and reading select pas
sagcs Of scripture by Rev. Hobart, when
the full choir, selected for the occasion,
sang" Rest, spirit Rest" Rev. Mr.. Free
man made few remarks very apple
able to the occasion, and which were
well received following came Hon. NJ.
j. Severance, who delivered an address
full of those beautiful, striking, illustra- |
tive and enrolling thoughts which
come only from mature minds. The
choir sang another selection, when Rev.
Edwin Rogers, who was classmate
with President Garfield ut Hiram Col |
lege, related "a. few "reminiscences Of
their school days. The choir sang the |
Doxology, the benediction was pro-
nounccd and the vast asemblage dis
persed.
AT NORMAL HALL
exercises were held in the
chapel, and due observances paid in its
decorations which were profusely and
done. The programme con-
sisted Of songs, select reading, and re-
marks by Prof. Soaring. At the close
Of these exercises two small children |
from the model school presented Prof.
Soaring beautiful crown, requesting |
him to place it above the picture of |
President Garfield.
AT THE UNION SCHOOL.
The event was fittingly commence
rated by the faculty and pupils at the
Union School. The study rooms were
appropriately CARRIED in sombre colors,
and the order of exercises were varied,
consisting of readings, essays, addresses,
etc, Prof. Gorrie in his remarks upon
the lite of the dead President, drew
many valuable illustrations for his
hearers to follow if they would.
AT THE CITY HALL.
Excelsior Hose Co., No. /, Superior
Hose Co., No. 9, and Hook g. Ladder
Co., No. l, decorated their reception
room very deliberately, especially al
portrait Of President Garfield which
hung upon the wall. At noon the hose
carts and other paraphernalia of the fire
were drawn out upon the
walk in front of their headquarters and
were profusely draped with the emblems
of sorrow. And thus closed the day,
long to be remembered in the minds of
those participating.
PLEASANT GROVE SCHOOL.
The exercises occupied an hour and
half, and the pupils deserve commend
alton for the attention and interest
displayed throughout. Tho recitation
by Miss Crawford was we'll rendered
and the essay by Miss Darrah was dis
cussed in a way to he understood by
the children, the qualities of a citizen.
She drew an illustration between a
good and bad citizen, etc.