Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-06-03
Decoration Day.


from agreeable. The sky had agloomy
appearance, and during the forenoon
rain fell. 1t looked as if rain was
going to spoil the festivities. In the
afternoon the weather cleared of, and
everything was favorable for the pa
rade. The light rain had settled the
dust question without making mud,
and it was not too warm for march
ing. -. =.
About one o'clock in the afternoon
the rapid beats on snare drum an
nounced that the time had come for
the various formations to assemble at
their appointed places. The scene on
Second street near the bridge became
an animated one. Hundreds of citi-
Gems assembled on the sidewalks. The
marshals of the day were busily at
work attending to their duties. Hun
dreds of flags and banners were wav-
ing in the breeze. By half past two
o'clock the procession had formed and
the commanding officer, Colonel r.
M. Donnelly, gave the order to march
First came the commanding officer
and his staff of marshals II. Shell
ton, A. Wilkinson, M. E. DeLaval
A. McGipnis, J. Hamilton, L. G. Da.
foe and Allie Tefft. Then came the
Germania band, followed by Alpena
Commandery of the Knights Templar
% in number. The Sir Knights were
in full uniform and presented a very
attractive appearance in their plumed
hats, and handsome belts. Each Sir
Knight carried sword. Then came
the Alpena Guards, AZ in number,
under command of Captain F. @.
Holmes. The Guards were in full
dress parade uniform and wore their
tall black bearskin shakos. They pre-
scented martial appearance, and re-
ceived much praise from the specta-
tors, and fully deserved it too. Dur
ing the march they performed many
interesting and pretty manuevers.
The next in the procession was St.
Jean de Baptiste Societe, 48 strong,
and after them marched Alpena
Lodge No. 40, I. o. o. F., 46 in
number. Then marched the cadet
company, Is strong, under the COM
mand of Artie Potter. The cadets
were not in uniform and did not car
ry guns. Lockwood Post, G. A. R.,
were tho next formation to march by.
The veterans numbered 81. and were
in uniform. Then came the floral car
which was one of the main objects of
interestin the procession. Miss George
Kimball, dressed as the Goddess of
Liberty, was surrounded by over thir-
ty little girls. The car was hand
somely decorated. Then followed the
six FOUNDER Napoleon brass cannon in
charge Of detail from Lockwood
Post. The next in line was hose COM
pany No. /. The hose cart was clab-
orately adorned. just behind the
driver was golden eagle, the wings
extending to each side of the cart.
Back of it were crossed evergreen
arches decorated with flags. On one
side was shield containing the words:
Friends to the unfortunate. The.
company were in parade uniform and
numbered ten men. The rear of the,
procession was brought up by the
Common Council and citizens in car
riages. The procession reached from
the bridge to Washington avenue.
The line of march was from Second
near the bridge, to Washington ave-
nue., then up the avenue to Campbell
vile, then ia, the cemetery, a distance
of about two miles. At the cemetery
the graves were decorated and then
the procession began the return
march. The route was to Eleventh
street, halt being made at the Catho-
lie cemetery on that street, and, q SOL
dier's grave decorated then to CHS
holm street then down, that street to
Third street then to River street,
and when the head Of the procession
reached Second street it was halted
the Alpena Commandery, Guards and
societies formed line, and when the
veterans and the floral car passed in
front of them, the order was given to
the Commsndery and Guards to pre-
sent arms. The members of Lock-
wood Post returned, the compliment
by uncovering as they passed in front.
The scene at this time was a very at
tractive one and well worth, seeing.
Colonel Donnelly then gave the order
for the parade to be dismissed and
the various companies and societies
marched to their various headquarters,
and then disbanded. The march
occupied about two and q half hours,
and the entire line Of march was
about five miles long.
The graves of the dead soldiers
decorated were those Of David Kin
caide, G. w. Gates, Charles Forshay,
James Benson, Allan Mcclure, Muir