The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-06-10
STAFFORD ITEMS.
STAFFORD. OHro, June 2, lss

STAFFORD. OHIo, June 2, 1884.
Ed. SPiKIr: Once more our usually
quiet little village has gwen proof Of the
latent power it has to perform deeds OF
amssing magnitude, when once It be.
comes stirred to action bv the prompt
iEgs Of patriotic zeal or Christian duty.
Last Sabbath, May Is, memorisl services
we're held in the CHRISTIAN Church, under
the auspices OF the G A. z of this place
and Lewisville The ceremonies we're
verv Impressive. and the brief speeches
OF R.vs. Cash and Shaffer, and. our friend
Crane" we're lie ened to With eager in.
terest. manifestly showing the siLcere ap.
probation OF what was said The pro.
gramme for Decoration Day, May 80.
Was then announced. and early in the
morning Of that day ,hdpeople began to
gather in town from the surrounding
country. The Stafford Cornet Band fur.
nished some excellent music, and having
rendered their services TO the Post for
the day. they accompanied them 10 Lew.
isville where they joined the Post of that
place. After decorating the graves Vi
our "fallsn heroes" at Lewisville and 90
propriste speeches being made, detach.
ment was sent to the Hamilton Cemetery,
where like ceremonies we're hads and re-
turning to Lewisville from there the line
Of march vas taken up for Stafford
Stopping on the way at the Southerlsnd
Church, the resting place Of the dead sol.
dIers there was not forgotten, and after
decorating their graves the procession
moved on to this plscs where they ar
rived shortly after IL Il, and dispensing
for dinner they reassembled at the Chris.
,ian Church and formed in procession,
headed by the Stafford Band, immedi.
atsly follow by about 80 small girls
carrying 6owers and wresths, to march
10 the cemetery, about one.fourth of .
mile distant. About 800 persons Joined
10 the procession. Arriving at the CEN
etery the assembly was led 10 prayer by
Rev. Cash. after which :he ceremonies
we're conducted By the order of the e..
A. r The little girls. under the direc
ton OF Capt. Wilson and B Strickling,
paid their tribute OF respect to the mem
ory OF the beloved and honorable dead,
by strewing their graves with besutilul
flowers and wreaihs. the contributions OF
our patriotic and excellent ladies'. The
entire ceremony was very impressive and
touching. After the members Of the
Post had discharged their muske,s over
the graves of the dead the procession
again formed and marched to the church
where eloquent and impressive speeches
we're made by Revs. Shaffer and Wilson.
This concluded the exercises OF the day
and the people returned 10 their homes
feeling that the day bad not been spent
Ia vain, but that all were be tered by hav
ing thus demonstrated the respect they
had for those who had sacrificed their
lives for the peace and happiness We now
enjoy.
The oil excitement here has almost
reached fever beat, and it 10 now almost
. certainty that S. afford at no far distant
day will be the busy center Of large oil
producing country.
II energy and enterprise will do any.
thing for town, Stafford certainly has
Q bright future. Mr. Eii,or, IL any one
doubts what We sav let them come and
see We will not be found lacking In
hospitality, either, % you NAV prove.
OB,ERvGR