Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-06-07
Memorial Exercises ut Florida.


proposed by Mr.. Wm. Brooks, member OF the G. A.
R. post at Napoleon, that the people of this place
meet together and make arrangements for the ap-
propriate observance of Memorial Day. A meeting
was called May 23d, for the purpose Of appointing
committees to make the necessary arrangements
and Judging by the success OF the whole, each COM
mttee must have carefully and faithfully performed
the parts assigned them. The ex-soldiers and those
interested ably ed in their efforts by the
ladies Of Florida, who, whatsoever their hand find
eth to do that do they with their strength and their
might thus helping to make q success of ali public
undertakings. At the meeting held committees were
appointed to attend to the decoration OF soldiers
graves in all the cemeteries in the vicinity Of Flor
da the forenoon of May 3Oth and report same to the
president Of the day at Florida it being understood
that the general exercises of the day were to be
at the church and cemetery at that place. At o
a. M, committee composed Of MIR. VIM. Barr and
wife, Mrs. F. NJ Brubaker and six little girls, Ber-
tie and Lulie Barr, Hette and Laura Hurd, Eva and
Flora Brubaker left Florids for the Gum cemetery
where they were met by of the residents of the
neighborhood and escorted to the cemetery, where
they proceeded to strew the graves of the soldiers,
(seven in NUMBER, with flowers and wreaths, a
number of floral offerings having already been de-
posted upon them by residents of the vicinity ere
the arrival of the committee. ''The Sweet Bye and
Bye" was sung by the little girls, and a memo rial
poem was read by BERTHE Barr who bids fair to reach
high degree of excellence as a reader. The poem,
"a Garland for the Dead was also read by Mrs.
VIM. Gum. noteworthy fact was noted in this
cemetery Here was the last resting place of grand
father father and son, who served in the three great
wars Of our country. Mr.. Elijah Gum, the grand
father. in the of the revolution his son. Elijah
Gum, jr in the war of 1912, and his grandson, Mr.
Cyrus Gum, in the war of the rebellion think IL
circumstance very. rarely to be met with where
members OF three generations in direct line who
have served in the three separate great wars of our
country e 1t were side by side in the same burial
ground. The decoration ceremonies of the Brey
cemetery were under the supervision OF MIR. VIM.
Brooks. Programme as follows Exercise opened
by prayer; a poem, ''There is no Death" was read
by Miss Jennie Brooks, after which Rev. J. T. Pope,
Of Florida addressed those present, approximately
referring to the causes and circumstances that had
brought them together on this day. At this time the
rain was pouring down, but the young ladies who
had been selected as decorators went through it.
wishing to place with their own hands the beautiful
wreaths and boquets they had prepared upon the
graves of the soldiers buried there three in humber
namely: Harry Allen, MinorIce and Martin Lowery
Thus have the daughters of America ever delighted
to honor the heroes who have gone forth at their
country's need The procession then returned to
the school house when they were dismissed by the
benediction. Owing to the heavy rain the number
present was not large. A committee was also ar-
pointed to attend to the decoration of the graves Of
the soldiers ut what is known as the Cole burial
ground, but understanding committee at HoQate
had been detailed to attend to that, our committee
was therefore dispensed with. Weafterward learned
the committee from Holgate failed to appear, owing
perhaps, to the inclemency of the weather and bad
condition Of the roads. l O'Clock D, m sharp was
appointed the hour of meeting at the NJ e.
Church at Florida, and Notwithstanding the heavy
rainfall, the church was well filled. The committee
on church decoration had very ably performed the
part assigned them. We are under many OBLIGATIONS
to the ready and willing hands that SO ably assisted
in the work. Crossed flags were placed at the back
Of the stand ana in the center was hung large and
finely executed picture of Garfield, tWined with
lovely wreath of evergreen tied with Grape On the
right of Garfield hung the picture Of the revered Lin
coin, and on the left the honored Washington. also
twned with evergreen, tied with Grape showing that
for all time the people honor and mourn the illus
trious trio. The table draped with the stars and
stripes and upon it was placed the bible srmounted
by crossed bayonets and against it leaned the sword
carried in the late war by Capt. W. NJ. Bowen Co.
f, 6Sth O.V V. |. The various accoutrements of
soldier were placed In front of the altar. At sight
of the old cloth covered canteen did not the soldiers
mind turn to the time when 1t hung by his side In
the long weary tramp, was his friend In biyouac
barrack and camp, and think of the soulace tb bat
once gurgled between his lips from that old tin can
teen? Again, each soldiers eye frightened as it fell
on the glorious tricoor under whose broad strinea
and bright stars he had met the enemy he had con-
tended and conquered until 1t oated in victory Oer
all the land, not single star efaced The following
programme was carried ont at the church under the
charge of DR.. A. NJ. Pherson, president of the day
Meeting called to order by Dr. A. NJ. Pherson chair
man. 2d, music by choir, "The Union Foreyer:,' al
hymn by the choir "Who will care for Mother now: -
4th, prayer by Rev. 7. Pope; 9Th, music by choir
ssThe Vacant Chair; 9th, reading of poem by Mrs.
J. ii. Barr; 7th, music by choir, "Whap the Flag
Around me Boys; Sth, address by Rev. j. T. Pope:
9th, martial music by Napoleon band. This closed
the exercises at the church. Order of procession in
sections as formed at the church: Section martial
music; ex-soldiers-John H, Brubaker as captain.
I'd: speaker; poem reader; choir, and decorators of
known soldiers graves in charge of Mrs. L, A.
Jones; 70 section, sabbath school children as deco
retors OF unknown soldiers graves, in charge of Mrs.
e. O. Shupe, assisted by Mrs. j. H. Barr and Mrs.
VIM Barr. 9th: citizens. In the cemetery the SOL
diers halted, opened ranks, the speaker choir and
west side of the monument erected to represent the
graves of soldiers. The sabbath school
occupied the north sde in position; the ex-sodiers
the east side and the citizens the south side thus
forming hollow square. The following was the or
der of exercises carried out at the cemetery: 1st
singing by choir, "Our Cherished Ones,; I'd. read.
ing of poem by Mrs. E. Hurd; Sd, singing BY sab
bath school I'm the Sweet bye and Bye'' 4th, read
Ing OF dead roll by VIM. Dancer 9th, prayer by Rev.
]. 7. Pope; 9Th, reading of poem, dOne who Never
Returned, by BERTHE Barr, disabled veteran little
3 year old daughter. 1t was clearly and distinctly
hearers. This little girl gives great promise of max
ing very proficient reader. 7th, decorators of
known soldiers graves consisting Of Ia ladies
In charge OF Mrs. E. A Jones, marched from grave
to grave and strewed with lovely wreaths and exGuis
lite bouquets the graves of soldiers being all that
could be definitely located. There were three others.
but being unmarked they could not be accurately
located. 9Th, Sabbath school children as decorators
Of the mound to represent the graves of unknown
soldiers, In charge of Mrs. Shupe and assistants
marched around and deposited their floral offerings
upon the monument and mound. 9th, doxoloRy,
lOth, benediction BY Rev.J. T. Pope, 18th, march
10 the entrance of the cemetry where the PROCESSION
disbanded owing to the bad condition of the roads,
The programme was long and carried out TO the let
ter. The floral decorations were in great profusion
AND some beautiful designs: The address of Rev.
Pope was inspiring and well calculated to awaken
loyalty and devotion to the memory Of our countrys
defenders in the hearts of the youthful portion of his
hearers and rekindle again the same sentiments in
was also preached Sabbath evening" MAY 9th at the
". Il. Church, by Rev. Pope. May each and every
one hold In due venerationthis national anyersary:
It's duties and observances that 1t may never degen
not in fesal throng but with the solemn heart and
reverent tread do we commemorate the nations sor
row. Let us take great care that upon the obsery-
ance q memorial day, no thoughtless act intrudes
Iurb its deep solemnity. Consecrated to the dead,
lot us keep this anniversary unsuied by any act OF
evity. What a feeling Of solemnity It should in.
'pire In the hearts of every as they behold the
over the sacred sod, and and the offering Of flowers
20 tendsrly placed there. Reverenty let the people
come together to pay due tribute to the nations
lead call has been issued for all ex-soldiers Of
florida and vicinity, and this means long distance
about, to meet Saturday afternoon, June 18th, at
o'clock p. m at DR.. A. M. Pherson's Office for the
purpose Of ascertaining the feeling and prospect az
'egards the organization of q. A. r. post at this
iu,fr,o rin orfu
Il is hoped every exsoldier will cheerfully respond
% the call. Let us band together as firmly and
inited % when we marched shoulder to shoulder in
he conflict with feelings of cordially and conrad
cen. Ours be it to gather in that fraternity that
tands BY our comrades now as in the days Of our
ountrys trials; in that charity that cares for him
nat hath borne the battle, his widow and his Or