The Hope pioneer., 1888-06-01
NUMBER z.
MEMORIAL DAY.
How 1t Was Observed by George p.
FOst No. $50, G. A. r..

MEMORIAL DAY.
How 1t Was Observed by George p.
Fost No. $50, G. A. II.
"Wednesday morning, May SOth, opened with
lowering clouds and threatening aspect, and
IN several sections Of the county heavy showers
OF rain fell. As the morning wore on, how
ever, the clouds broke away and the sun shone
forth brightly. Soon members OF the G. A. R.
and their families began to arrive, and By 10
o'clock nearly every member Of the post, with
visiting comrades, were on the ground.
About half-past 10 the post was formed In
column by Adjutant Berry in the ball and
marched to the front Of the Hope House and
turned over to Commander Laor King.
By special vote of the post, Mr.. R. H.
Simpson was invited to be guest Of the post
and participate in the ceremonies Of the day.
The command, headed by field band, then
marched to the cemetery, to which the re-
mains OF Comrade Il. j. Pepper had been re-
moved by committee Of the post. Arriving
at the grave, Chaplain Blstline read the prayer
laid down In the G. A. R. ritual, after which
the chor-Messrs. H. L. Smith, Peter Joslyn,
B. R. Whitney and L. A. Jacobson-sang an
appropriate ode The ceremony Of decoration
was the nperformed by Comrade Newton. After
music by the choir the ceremonies were closed
with prayer by the chaplain. After marching
through the cemetery, the members deposit
ing floral tributes on many of the graves,
the post returned to town, and the parade dis
missed till o'clock.
In the meantime the ladies had been busy
unpacking numerous hampers and baskets,
and in short time the counters In the Arcade
building were improvised into tables, covered
with snowy cloths, and bounteously laden with
good things Rev. Mr.. Thuston asked bless
Ing, and the members of the post anl many Of
the citizens Of Hope did ample Justice to the
repast.
At2 o'clock the command to fall in" was
given and the boys marched to the Congrega-
tional church, the command occupying the
front row Of seats. The church was soon
filled with an audience that occupied every
available seat, many being compelled to re-
main standing.
Rev. Mr.. Thurston offered up feeling
prayer The anthem "America," was then
sung by the choir and audience standing.
Adjutant Berry then called upon Rev. Mr..
Thurston, who briefly addressed the audience.
Rev. Mr.. Shawkey was then called upon and
delivered short address.
Mr.. Shawkey was followed by Rev. w. G.
Whisnand, who adverted to the early days of
the rebellion and Incidents connected there
with, and called upon all to enliat under s,,e
banner Of King Emmanuel, who would lead
| them on to certain victory.
Commander Laor King was the next speaker,
and dwelt in feeling terms upon the solemnity
Of the occasion which had brought them to-
gether. He concluded by returning the thanks
Of himself and the post to the citizens OF Hope
and those who had contributed in making the
first Memorial day. Of George P. Foster a
success.
Adiutant Berry gave short history Of the
G. A. R., and its objects and aims, and the sue
cess which had attended the movement. He
adverted to the cordial sympathy which now
united in fraternal bonds those who bad been
opponents during the bitter struggle, and said
lie was proud to number among his personal
friends some who had been ''rebels." He closed
by introducing Mr.. Simpson, "who was On the
other side' during the late unpleasatness.
Mr.. Simpson responded briefly, thanking the
members OF George F. Foster poster fer their
| kindness, saying he was glad to be present and
| join with them in commem0rating the virtue
and patriotism Of their departed comrades.
Colnrade G. n. Newton related how on
Memorial day few years since, In another
part Of the territory he bad been ascosted by q
stranger and asked il he was ''going to the
show" and how harshly it had grated upon
his ear; be spoke Of the deep solelnnity to him
of the memorial services, and the religious
sacredness in which they should be observed; !;
| he recalled burial scene he had witnessed
on one of the fields of battle during the war,
| and the deep impression 1t had made upon
him. Abiding to the rapidly diminishing num-
| bar Of veterans, he earnestly exhorted them
| to perform with religious fidelity the sacred
| duty Of keeping green in the memory Of the
| rising generation the remembrance and pa
triotism OF their departed comrades. In con-
| Guiding he spoke of the fraternal feeling now
| existing In every section of the country, and
| (grasping the ex-sonfederate by the handy,
was glad to have lived to See the day when
the bloody chasm was brldged with peace and
good will. (Applause.)
Mics Annie Simpson then read poem en-
titled the ''Blue and the Gray" Mr.. Thurston
pronounced the benediction, and the post then
| marched back to the hall.
NOTES.
| Mr.. Oscar Barrett of Clifton township,
though not member of this post, Travelled
twenty-five miles Wednesday morning to par
ticipate with the boys In the ceremonies Of the
day.
Mrs. Weyant photographed the post after it
returned from the cemetery.
| The handsome stand Of colors carried by
Ensign Halsey Curry was much admired by
everybody.
Mr.. J. L. Wilcox displayed the flag at half
mast during the day on the Hope house.
Casselton Blizzard: Every through train from
the west is bringing back immigrants who
went over to tue Pacific slope. They have been
out and seen the country and find that 1t don't
begin to compare with Dakota, which is bound
10 catch thousands Of these returning pilgrims.
We can put Dakota soil and climate against
the world. During the past few years hun
dreds from this territory have gone over to
Washington territory and California, but many
have returned, glad to get back, and all the
A. Ill. IL L~:-