Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-06-02
Wednesday. June 2. 1886.
Decoration Day.


duty last Saturday, and the conse'
quence was that the Decoration festiv
tiles passed off pleasantly an'
agreeably. The suns rays were some
what torrid, but lively wind tina
blew from the northwest tempered TIT
heat and made it bearable. Abou
half past one in afternoon the process
sion began to form at intersection o
Dock and Fletcher streets, and as The
different organizations arrived the,
were assigned their places. AS soon al
the procession was organized, Colone
Donnelly gave the order to march
The Germania band struck up 9
lively tune and the march began
Then came the Alpena Guards under
command of Captain Frank Holmes
and the company in dress parade suits
and tall bear skin hats, presented a
fine appearance. Then marched the
Knights of st. John in handsome
uniform, followed by the John Earl
Post, G. A. r., of Oscoda the Lock
wood Post, G. A. r., of this city, and
the George Root camp, Sons of Veter-
ans.
The second division was composed
of the Five Orphans band, and the
German Aid Society, and the third
division of the Alpena fire depart
ment. The fire boys were in uniform
and the hose carts and fire engines
handsomely decorated. The fourth
division was made up of the floral car,
Woman's Relief Corps and citizens in
carriages. The scene was very in
spiriting one and well worth seeing.
In length it was nearly half a mile
long, and the glittering bayonets and
swords, the waving banners and the
martial music of the bands, the
crowds on each side of the streets, the
prancing horses and the long line of
carriages, filled the street with life
and madea picture very ageeable to
the eye and ear.
The procession crossed the bridge
and marched up Second street to
Chisholm street, then to Third street,
then to Dunbar, then to State, and
then to the square in front of the
Congregational church, where the pro-
cession came to halt and formed a
square. In front of the church
stand had been built for the orator
and choir. In the center of the square a
beautiful monument had been erected.
It was wreathed with evergreens. On
each side was the inscription "Our
Nations Dead" 1t was around this
monument that the square was formed,
and the whole space was packed with
people. The program as published
was then given, the Grafton being de-
livered by Rev. A. B. Allen, of De-
troit.
In the evening about six hundred
citizens assembled in the Opera House
to witness the camp fire of the G. A.
r. After the choir had sung
"America," the chairman of the
meeting, comrade Kimball, introduced
G. A. Fredlender of the Oscoda Post,
who furnished the back log for the
camp fire. He gave short account
Of the Grand Army of the Republic,
stating who they were and what was
the object for which they were organ
lied. His remarks we're ably render
ed. He made the assertion that when.
ever any member of the order was in
need, that it was the duty and obliga-
ton of the nation to render them as
sistance, not as charitable act but
because the nation owed it to them.
"Tenting To-Night on the Old
Camp Ground" was then sung by the
choir, in an admirable manner. The
chairman stated that no matter how
excellent a back log was for camp
fire purposes, there was needed other
and he called upon comrade
Fl. S. Seage to pile rail on the fire.
Mr.. Scage responded with descrip-
ton of the "Union Volunteer" and
at the conclusion of his remark the
choir sang "Tho Soldiers Farewell"
The fine manner in which the song
was rendered so pleased the large au-
dience that they encered the singers
and compelled them to repeat it.
Several comrades were called upon
ITO bring their bundles of fuel to keep
the camp fire brightly burning" but
the gentlemen called Oh were not pres
ent. A few remarks were then made
by comradc J. d. Holmes, after which
the choir sang Marching Through |
Georgia." which was encored. Com
rade James j. Potter was requested
by the chairman to add his quota of
camp fuel" and the remarks Of com.
rade Potter were listened to with |
great pleasure by the many persons
present. His addition to the camp
fire caused it to burn brightly and the
reflection Of it could be seen on the