The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-06-07
PENNSY

A correspondent at Pecksville, Pa writes
that Memorial Day was observed by Stevens
Post No. 30i, with appropriate ceremonies.
The Post was only organized on the 18th of
January last, and this was its first observance
of the day. There are about twenty soldiers
graves III the two cemeteries at Pecksville, but
hitherto the public has displayed no interest in
the anniversary. However, a soldiers widow,
Mrs. Polly Miller, was appointed president of
committee to obtain flowers. Two Sunday
schools were invited to turn out, and two teams
were provided to carry the speaker, clergymen,
ladies' committee and crippled soldiers to the
grounds, while an old soldier, NJ ID. Fuller,
formerly private in company ii, Fltty-seeond
Pennsylvania volunteers but now pastor OF the
M. L. church at Ashley, Pa, was engaged to
deliver the address He made capital one.
Memorial Day was all that could be desired as
toiweather, and at 8. a. m the Post met in
their hall and at 1890 marched to the Prospect
Hill cemetery, preceded by the twoN Sunday
schools and quite large number of citizens
and the Pecksville cornet band. Arriving at
the cemetery positions were taken at the grave
of comrade John Haines, sergeant company B.,
Eleventh Pennsylvania where the usual me-
mortal service was said by the Post. Several
appropriate pieces were sung by selected
choir, and after decorating other graves in the
cemetery, the orator delivered an exceedingly
appropriate Grafton to the assembled multitude.
After this an unexpected invitation was received
from the ladies of Pecksville to repair to the
basement of the NJ r. church, where substan-
tial refreshments were served After dinner
the boys gave the ladies of Pecksville three
cheers with special tiger for Mrs. TIigens, the
PASTORS wife, who was the prime mover
in getting up the dinner in one days notice,
and then details were sent to Archibald, Oily
plant and PriceviIle to decorate the soldiers
graves at those places, so that before night
forty-one graves of soldiers had been thus
honored. At Archibald the citizens turned
out en- masse and met the vets at the train and
escorted them TO two cemeteries, where the flags
and wreaths were placed ON the graves by sous
Of veterans.
Gettysburg, being of historic Importance, the
services of Memorial Day field here from year
TO year have usually drawn together large
crowds. This year was no exception. An IN
vltation to be present had been extended to the
members OF the Pennsylvania Legislature, and
they arrived here by special train from Har-
rishurg at $50 n. m, followed by other trains
from local points. The town was already well
filled by arrivals from the surrounding country.
Notwithstanding the threatening appearance
OF the Sky in the early morning aud light
showers that continued to fall, it cleared about
noon and the sun shone brightly. The process
sion was formed at 1:45 p. m. in the public
square, and at 2.10 moved toward the National
Cemetery. At the cemetery the eommemora-
tive services We're opened by the Grand Army
of the Republic, Sollowed by strewing of flowers
by children of the public schools prayer by the
Rev. A. e. Tortal, singing of the national hymn
America Grafton by Edward S. Gearhart,