The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-06-01
THE NATIONS DEAD.
Appropriate Observance Of Decoration
Day in Mankato.

Appropriate Observance Of Decoration
Day in Mankato.
Eighteen years have gone since the
close of the war for the Union. On the
9th day of April, 1868, Lee surrendered
the broken fragments of his army to
General Grant at Appomatox. The
boom of the last hostile cannon has
ceased to echo. The rattle of musketry
no longer. like hail, cuts down its har
vest of men. The sod has covered with
its green mantle the carthworks, and
behind them cattle browse in quiet. The
embrasurcs are chokcd with the vines
OF the blackberry, and the timid hare
has her nest where formerly yawned the
jaws of cannon. The quail calling to
his mate is the only reminder along the
plains of the Potomac and OHIO Of the
sentry's challenge. No longer do the
mourners sadly move about their work,
and the cry of mothers, wives and
sweethearts calling on God To keep
their dear ones has given way to the
jubilee of praise for Peace aud Union.
After so many years memory, stirring
up the impulses of affection and patri'
otism, has caused our citizens to unite
with the handful of war-scarred veterans
to deck the graves of our soldiers dead.
Minnesota had gwen of her little
when the cry went forth throughout the
land--gave cheerfully, though the sav.
age stood with his tomakawk and scalp
ing knife ut her doors and the men
she gave have made noble record.
On the rock ribbed heights of Chicka-
manga, about the forts Of Petersburg
wherever hcroice deeds were done, there
they sleep in their graves to-day. All
honor To the living; tears, love and an
evergreen remembrance to the dead,
who died for their fatherland.
DECORATION CEREMONIES.
MAY 30th, which has become n Ma
tional holiday, and one which not only
survivors of the rebellion love to record
their vows of consistency to the memory
of the dead comrades, but an occasion
upon which all good loyal citizens join
with u reverential care, was most mp
propriately observed in MankatO. This
day, A. ID. 1883, marks the first day on
which the graves of deceased soldiers in
and near Mankato were formally decor
'ated hy the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. This was done by Alexander Will
kin Post No. 10, assisted by Durkec
Post, of Eagle Lake, Company "F". M.
N. G. Hook and Ladder Co, Hose Co.,
Nos. | and 9, OF Mankato, Mayor and
Council and other organizations and
citizens.
The music was furnished by the
Mankato Brass band, Il volunteer drum
corps made up from members of the
post and others and Il vocal quartettc
consisting of Messrs. Brett, GOrrie,
Schroeder and Thomas. The procession
formed on Fourth street with Gen. Pope,
Marshal, assisted by Maj. Mead, and
marched to the cemetery in the follow
ing order:
Band.
Company
Hook and Ladder Co.
Hose Co. No. I.
Hose Co. No =.
Durkee Post.
Floral Wagon.
Wilkin Post.
Carriage with Mayor and Orator.
Common Council.
Quartettc.
Citizens.
1t was originally intended that the
schools should join the procession, but
owing to the commencement exercises
at the Normal School, and the unprom-
Using weather, this feature of the pro-
gramme was omitted.
AS the procession started, it was sur
prlsing to see the large number of peO-
pie who joined, Notwithstanding the
threatening clouds which DER hung the
canopy above. but which, thanks to
Providence, soon cleared away and al
lowed Old Sol to look down with cheer
ing brightness.
The old veterans and young soldiers
and all Others marching in the procession
kept time to the martial music in II way
which showed all in hearty sympathy
with the memorial exercises.
AT the cemetery, Wilkin Post, Dur
kee Post and Company +, formed in
hollow square around the grave of w.
c. Durkee, the other organizations
forming in rear OF Co. F., which faced
south toward the open side of square.
The memorial exercises We're opened
on behalf of the G. A. II. by the Com
mandcr in brief address, after which
the following exercises were observed:
Prayer by chaplain.
Music by Quartette-"Aine
Music by band
Address by Hon. N. j. Severance.
Music by band.
Decorations OF soldiers graves.
Firing salute over the dead by Co. +.
Musc by quartette-"Praise God from
whom all blessings flow"
After which the benediction was pro.
nounced, and the procession returned to
the city in same order i'm which it
marched to the cemetery.
Warm expressions of qualification are
expressed OIL every hand with the i'm
prcssive memorial services, and the
good feeling which prevailed.
The address of Judge Severance was
very tioiucut, Sctf pcauthui "h' hhoet
impressive. 1t is enough to say that it
was an address characteristic of the
man, warm from the honest heart of u
soldier, who served his country on the
field of battle, and never failed when
duty called. An address which shows
in every passage the genius of gifted
and cultivated need.
Durkee Post was dined at the Clifton
House by Wilkin Post, and in ac-
acknowledgement of the hospitality shown
them, Mr.. Ira b. Reynolds returned the
thanks of Durkce Post, the members of
which he could vouch for as doing JUS
tice to the elegant spread that was
awaiting the command to "fall IN"
The followin. is list of the graves
decorated with flowers:
CM Swan, OK Cleveland,
NC Conner, Chas Mckinney,
WIN Durkee, Col J + Robinson,
HIS Hatch, DrW w Clark,
Goo Stannar1, John Jones,
Peter Hans Olson, Hubert Bruhls,
Peter Mckinney, Adam Freundl,
Peter Uiman, JOS Gilfillan,
Peter LcDtZ. Alex Campbell,
Geo Liscomb, Philip Krumple,
JnO Griffin.