The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-05-30
SLEEPING HEROES.
Memorial Day Properly Observed in
Rock Island.
The Exercises In Moline, Davenport
and on the Island.


Today, the 30th of May, the people al
over the country are engaged in the holy
and praiseworthy work of decorating the
graves of those who gave their lives in
defense of the stars and stripes. Around
the graves where soldiers of The civil
strife are resting. or wherever shaft is
erected to the memory of departed com
rades, patriots have gathered 10 perform a
yearly tribute to the dead. Despite the
threatening weather early this morning,
preparations were made for the carrying
out of the programme for
THE HOME DECORATIONS
as if the day had been clear and promis-
ing. As early as O'Clock, Commander
Bowman and other members of Buford
post had commenced the decoration of
the Rock Island county soldiers monu-
ment in court house square, and by 8
o'clock the post was ready to begin the
exercises. The monument presented a
more beautiful appearance than ever bes
fore. Wreaths and garlands were hung
from the base to the top, while the flow
ers and greens were interviewer with
stripes of white and black
By 10 o'clock when the procession was
formed for the monument. the clouds had
broken away and the day was bright and
pleasant The procession formed in the
following order. and proceeded to the
court house square;
Platoon of police under Chief Eek
hart.
Bleuer's band. Drum Major Stoddard
Rodman Rifles, in command of Capt.
Abell
st. Paul Lodge. Knights of Pythias, j.
NJ. Beardsley, I'd, chancellor comman-
der, d. j. Sears, master of arms.
Buford Post and drum corps, under
command of Commander Bowman.
Eureka Legion, No. 81, Select Knights,
A. o. U. WI W. Stark, select com
mander
Children with flowers on foot.
After parading through the main bust
ness portion of the city, the procession
terminated at the soldiers monument,
around which the societies formed in a
hollow square.
The services then took place, and were
those of the Grand Army of the Republic,
Rev. R. R, Pesrce offering prayer at the
opening off the ceremonies. The band
then played dirge. after which Past
Commander ]. NJ. Resicker spoke as fol-
lows:
| Comrades, the duty of today is of i'm
pressive significance. We meet to honor
our dead. and to deepen our reverence
for their worth; to strengthen among our
selves the band of fraternity by
recalling the memory of experiences COM
mon TO us all; to encourage more gen.
erous charity for our comrades who art
sick in distress. and for the destitute
| wants of the Grand Army; to renew oul
pledge of loyalty to our country and oul
flag and to to emphasize in the mind.
and hearts of all who may unite with us
the privilege and duty of patriotism.
Comrades, tits expected that Throughout
cur services each one will manifest tn
most courteous and reverent decorum. LIE
our soldierly department be such that We
may worthily honor the graves we deco
rate, the memories we cherish, the flag W,
salute, and the Grand Army to which W,
belong.
Major Ii. c. Connolly, who acted a
. chaplain, then read from the ritual tn,
the prayer prescribed for the occasion.
After this ex, Post Commander Retickel
read from the ritual an address on tn
significance of the day as the festival o
the dead, saying that ''as we stand By
every grave as before an altar, we pledg
our manhood that, so help us God TIT
memory of our dead shall encourage ant
strengthen in us all more loyal patriot
: ISM"
]. W. Ransom, acting as officer of th
2 day, then scattered flowers about the has
of the monument. saying:
In your name. my comrades, l seattle
J these memorial flowers upon this monu
I ment which represent the graves of al
, who died in the sacred cause of our coun
try. Our floral tribute shall wither LIE
the tender fraternal love for which
stands endure until the touch of deaf
. shall chill the warm pulse beat of GU
hearts.
The band played my Country IT'S O
Thee" the benediction was pronounced
and the assemblage disbanded
AT MOLINE.
This morning, the soldiers monumen
at the Riverside cemetery was decorate
with imposing ceremonies, Graham pos
having charge of the exercises. Their
was procession through the princips
. streets, participated in by the militar
and other organizations of the town, pro
F.. ceeding to the cemetery where the decor
; alton took place, with the following pro
gramme:
Opening by Capt. A G. Grout, Pres
dent of the Day.
Services by Grand Army Post.
Prayer-Rev Tallman.
Music-Light Guard Band
, Address-Col. d. o. Reid.
Vocal muscle. A. R. and audience
, Address-Gen B. Nj. Prentiss.
Dirpe-Ticht Guard Rand