The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-05-30


wife's fond good bye Many of them, yea,
the greater portion of these blue coated
bows who rushed to their countrys rescue,
never returned They yielded up their
lives on the battle field, where the shot
and shell was whizzing through the air, or
else still worse, their death chamber was
the dreadful prison pen, where kind
words and gentle care was unknown. But
no matter how they died. they died brave
ly. Whether they were mown down like
the grass before the scythe, or bowed to
the will of God in the long and terrible
marches, their death was not
the less chivalrous.
Rock Island county furnished her share
of soldiers for the armies of the union.
Her sons left the plowshare and the work
shop, and their deeds of bravery will not
soon be forgotten. 1t is TO do them rev.
erence that we gather today. The beau
tiful flowers will mark where they lay,
those who were buried here. But the
resting place of many brave man will
not be decorated with flowers today. His
grave is unmarked in some southern battle
| field, where he lies among the confederate
dead. Let US think of him then, and hope
that some passing stranger will drop a
flower on his grave.
The day was beautiful one, so the
exercises were carried out without any
interference from the weather. At an early
hour the different committees were aslir.
Maj or L. NJ, Buford was chief marshal of
the day, and was assisted by Col John
M. Snyder, Capt. David Hitler Capt.
E. H. Bowman. NJ s. O'Neil, Hon P
O'Mara and ]. Van Horn.
BUSINESS SUSPENDED.
There was general suspension of
business throughout the city. The banks
were closed all day, and the postoffice from
10 a. m. to 6 p. m. The railroad freight
offices were closed the greater part of the
day. The county and city offices were
also closed. The manufactures and retail
stores were idle part of the day. and there
was no disposition by any to perform very
active work Numerous large flags
| tloated to the breeze while smaller ones
decorated windows and stores
There was great activity in the vicinity
of the armory by 9 O'Clock, where the
different organizations were forming in
procession. 1t was nearly 10 o'clock when
they started on the following line Of
march: From Armory hall east on Third
avenue to Twentieth street; north on
Twentieth street TO Second avenue; west
on Second avenue to Tenth street; south
on Tenth street to Third avenue; east or
Third avenue to court house square. The
organizations in the procession were in the
following order: Bleuer's brass band
which played several excellent pieces
Rodman Rife drum corps, in charge Of
Drum Major Chas. A Stoddard, who
handled nicely finished baton in a man
ner that would make an expert turn greer
with envy.
The Rodman Rifles were ou
about thirty strong. and their ele
giant fitting suits set them off to {
good advantage. They were under com
mand of Capt. Abel and Lieutenant Car
ter.
There were four carriages next Tht
first contained the speaker of the day
Gen. Richard Rowett, of Quincy
Mayor Mott, City Clerk Koehler,
and Superintendent of the Water Work.
Kerr. In the second carriage were Alder
men Cary. Bennett. ladders and Cava-
naugh. Aldermen Stengel, Schroeder
Lafrenz, and Sinnet were in the third
while City Attorney Corbett, Alderman
Henry and representative of the AReUi
managed to fill up the fourth
About twenty members of ST. Pau
, lodge, knights of Pythias, were in line il
charge of Chancellor Commander Knicker
booker, and D. J. Sears drill master
Their uniforms, which are entirely new
/ this being their first appearance in publi
were much admired, and they were TIN
r subject of many complimentary remarks
The members of the Uniformed Degre
: Encampment, l. o. o. F..were also out il
new togs, in charge of Capt Commando
t J. J. Stark. The order was quite con
| spicuous for their brilliant dress, and gen
e eral good appearance.
| The drum corps of the Grand Arm
e post, contained two snare drums, one bias
: drum and two flies. They furnished som
f excellent music, which reminded the CON
n rades of the days when they were march
r ing to battle.
The Maj. Gen. John Buford Post, NJ
254, were out IN good numbers, heade
o by John M. Reticker, commander of til
o post.
t About ninety members of the 'Germa
e Sickness" society were in the processio
: and carried banner.
: The fire department was in charge {
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Alte,
Phoenix No |, Rescue No. 8, and Holl
!. No. 8, were the companiesrepresented, an
they presented quite creditable appear
ance.
O Ten members of the police force, heade
by Chief of Police Miller and Assistar