Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-05-31
sTREwING FLOWERS.
How Decoration Day was Observed in
Knoxville.

"
hers thew made their annual pilgrimage to
This sacred spot, to do honor to the memory
Of the more than three thousand brave men
who sleep in the National Cemetery here.
few gentlemen assembled in the post
masters room weeks ago, made the usual
organization, which his all ready been pub
Hshed in the CHRONICLE, and resolved that
the day should not pass by unnoticed. The
association was fortunate in securing the
services Of Col. John B. Min
mis-. who took hold of the matter in earnest,
and made with the aid of his able assist
ants. the occasion one of interest. Owing
to the shortness of the time the usual ora
ton was omitted, but this is all that was
lacking.
AS is usual on such occasions, large
number of persons from the country were
present. Among them We noticed num-
Der of patriotic old mothers who had given
sons to their country, some of whom fell III
the terrible struggle. They are STOPPING
under the burden of the years, but their
hearts still burn with love for their country.
Without any formality, all those who de-
sired to participate in the exercises, pre-
ceeded quietly to the cemetery, at the ap-
pointed hour. 2 p. H., some IN carriages
and bugeies. some on horseback and many
more on foot.
The exercises at the stand were opened
Ia
which had been engaged for the occasion ::
s. Hail Columbia Col. Minis presided.
Then followed vocal music: "Song of q
thousand years." by quartette composed
of W. NJ. Baxter, Esq, Hon. George An
drews, Mr. A. r. Humes and Mr.. VIM. P.
Chamberlain, after which a fervent prayer
was offered by Rev. C. B. Sparrow. pastor
of the First NJ E. Church The band then
played, Never be unkind," by Franken-
field, and the quartette rendered, Cover
them over with beautiful flowers"
Col MINIS then announced that the next
thing in order was strewing the flowers, and
invited all who were willing to assist to do
so. The work was soon accomplished, and
few if any graves were left without decora-
ton. While this was going on, the band
played two or three dirges and rendered
them well.
The audience then gathered about the
stand, when the quartette sang ''America,"
The band played 'Home, Sweet Home"
and the crowd dispersed. The best of order
prevailed, as is always the case here on
such occasions. and every one went away
feeling that the hour had been well spent.
Owing to the shortness of the notice, and
the protracted dry weather which has cut
short the flowers in this vicinity, it was
feared that the floral supply would be short;
but those who had the matter in charge
were agreeably disappointed. The supply
was abundant. The number of those who
contributed was large, and our friends in
fail, came to the rescue as usual. Among
the many who contributed we succeeded in
obtaining the following names:
Mrs. L. A. Richardson, Mrs L. A. Gratz,
Judge John L. Moses, Miss Alice Formwalt,
Mrs. NJ. L. Hall, Mrs J. B. Minnis, Mrs.
Prof. Knabe, Mrs. Robert Duenner, Mrs.
H. 7. Cooper, Mrs. Warren Dodge, Mrs.
Col. J. NJ. Thornburgh. Miss Annie Nor
row, Miss Boyd, the Misses Ambrose, Mrs
G. L. Maloney, Mrs. I. E. Barry, Mrs. S.
S. Thompson, Miss Bell Boyd, Mrs VIM.
Rule, Mrs II. j. Rule, Mrs. c. W. DePue,
W. P. Chamberlain, Mrs. T. d. Lewis,
Mrs A. J. Albers, Mrs. Col NJ. L. Patter-
non and Mrs. S. NJ. Dyer, of Knoxville.
Mrs. M. Q. Aiken presented q beautiful
special decoration for the grave of the late
Senator William G. Brownlow. A very
handsome boquet of rare and beautiful
flowers was sent from Washington City, by
John NJ. Bishop, to be placed on the grave
of Senator Brownlow. It. was very hand
some and much admired.
jor Thomas OConner sent in a basket
of beautiful magnolias which were highly
appreciated.
consisted of three baskets of magnificent
flowers.
Three baskets of sschoice flowers were
brought in by Col. Fred. DeTavernier, of
Caryville.
Capt J. w. Ault, of the same place,
brought in three baskets of flowers.
Among the contributors at Coal Creek
were VIM. HI. Edwards, W. A. kirkpatrick,
Frank Davis, Richard Disney, NJ A. Keeney
and Miss n. A. Offutt.
Miss G. Jarnagin, of Clinton, made val
uable contribution, as did also Mr. Oscar
Wilson, of Maryville.
From Morristown, contributions were re-
ceived from Misses Alice, Nellie, Florence
and Lizzie Murphy and Master Charlie
Murphy.
Major r. Thornburg and others, of New
Market, sent in valuable contributions. as
they always do.
Several boxes, boquets, &c, were received
from parties whose names are not known.
Mrs. Simpson, south of the river. also
sent In valuable contribution. With all
these contributions flowers were abundant
and choice. The day was pleasant, little
too warm for comfort in the cemetery.
but the exercises were soon over and the
heat not oppressive. The crowd was not as