Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-15
OFFERING FLOWERS
In Memory of DepartedIHerOes.

vices near the last resting place o.
those who fell under the stars anC
bars of the late Southern Confederacy
was observed Sunday at ElmwooC
Cemetery in a BETTING manner, anG
several thousand-perhaps as many Of
six thousand-people participated.
The day was all that could b.
desired, alternate clouds and sunshine
with gentle breezes rendering tbs
temperature exceedingly pleasant and
these who preferred to walk TO the
cemetery rather than attempt to 60
out on crowded street cars, found il
an exhilarating exercise not at all
uncomfortable.
The visitors began to gather at the
cemetery early 10 the afternoon, and
by three o'clock an immense throng
had congregated around the platform
where the exercises were to be held.
Several hundred chairs had been
placed in front Of the rostrum for the
ladies, and these were all occupied
long before the services commenced.
Many of those in attendance seated
themselves on the grass beneath the
shade of the outrageous forest.
Many others strolled about to examine
the inscriptions on the tombstones,
and read the early history Of the city
on the monuments Of its dead and
horored people.
The floral display was liberal and
many private lots were decorated in
the most beautiful manner, the sur
viving friends and relatives exhibiting
more than usual taste and lavishness
in this regard. The soldiers monu
ment was decorated around its base,
and as far up as it was convenient to
reach aud majority of the mounds
under which rests a soldiers
form, had bouquets carefully
laid thereon, to prove that
though they are gone from earth
they are still to memory dear.
A large number of the flowers used
for the occasion were brought from a
distance. Interior towns and river
plantations sent their quota. Among
those whose tboughttulness in this
regard we're notable MIR. Charles
Blackburn, OF Laconia, on the river
below, MIR. Emmett Tollison Of Cat
Island; Mrs. R. Q. Prewitt, Mrs. S. s.
Semmes, Miss Mollie Matthews, Mrs.
Lulu e. Hazzell, Mrs. Clara Rous-
seau, Mrs Emma Barney, Miss
Fannie Fletcher, Mrs. G. I. Stovall,
Mrs. l.. Roussan and DR.. H. G. Duna-
want, OF Osceela; Mrs. L. A. Morris,
Pecan Point; Misses Katie Chism,
Minnie Suddath, Matte Fisher and
Lizzie and Maggie Robinson and Mrs.
2. j. Hunter, of Friars Point, Miss {;
Mrs. s. @. Blanchard and Miss Eva
Duncan, of OonCordia, Miss.
Among the conspicuous features,
aside from the soldiers graves, it was
noticed that the monument to Matte
had been remembered.
The earth was freshly raked, the grass
in the vicinity had been trimmed and
several floral bouquets adorned
the enclosure. The inscription on
the monument, Matte Stephenson,
the martyr; October 18th, 1873;
she died for u.s." tells
the brief story of the noble girls lie.
Another grave which attracted con-
siderable attention was that of John
K. Trice, the young pilot who died at
his post on board the steamer Caro-
line on White river, nearly thirty years
ago. The inscription of the monu-
ment also tells the eloquentstory of his
short but heroic career. 1t says:
John r. Trice, born December 10th.
1882, died March 9th, 1854. A tribute
to the memory Of the heroic pilot who
persisted at his post while steering the
burning steamer Caroline to the shore.
He saved many lives. Himself he
could not save" His last words were:
Captain Taylor, the tiller is burned. F"
A number of handsome floral tributes
were laid on the mound beneath
which his mortal remains were
laid. The little square of earth where
General N. B. Forrest lies was also
conspicuous, and showed that deit
and tender hands had been busy ar
ranging the blossoms which had been
spread to the great soldiers honor.
A profusion of flowers were also 70 be
seen on the graves Of many others,
including departed ones who had
never been soldiers, as we'll as those
who had served in the ranks in the
Interstate struggle of more than
twenty years ago.
1t was nearly four o'clock in the
afternoon when the memorial services
commenced. The brass band,
under Arnold, performed Ros.
sini's "Cujus Amman" from the Sta
bat Mater, after which the Rev. Ed
mund Organ Of Grace Episcopal
church delivered an impressive prayer
Next the choir sung the hymn, "This
life's dream" With instrumental ac-
compartment, after which Mr.. w. A.
Collier introduced the Rev. d. q.
Kelly, of Nashville, a Colonel of one
Of Forests regiments Of troopers. Col
Kelly was the first major of the regi.
ment which Forrest originally com
manded, and after the promotion of
Gen. Forrest, Col. Kelly became its
leader. The address of DR.. Kelly was
in every way worthy of the eloquent
divine and Christian soldier, who de.
livered:. it. The gentleman paid
a most Glowing tribute to
the Southern Mothers" and
at the same time did full justice to bis
comrades Of the field of war, who now
rest beneath the field of Elmwood and
elsewhere. The length of the worthy
gentlemen's remarks renders it i'm
possible for more than brief allusion
thereto, but the orator was cheered
heartily when he closed.
The chairman Of the Resolution
Committee, Captain l.. B. McFar-
land, mentioned the names of those
who have died since last memorial
day, and said suitable resolutions
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