Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-31
In Reverent Memory
Of the Brave Who Died for
Their Country.
THE ANNUAL TRIBUTE OF FLOWERS

strewn Over the Graves of the Soldiers of
the Union-Chicago Also Does Honor to
the Men Who Laid Down Their Lives
In Defence of Law and Order-Mrs.
Sherfdan's Monument to the Gallant
Phil Unveiled-Celebrations ut Many
Points North and south-A Couple of
Speeches That Created Sensations
CHICAGO, May 3i-If the clerk Of the
weather had entered into a contract to pro-
vide the most execrable quality of weather
for Decoration Day in this city he could
hardly have done better job OF the kind
than he did yesterday The wind was blus-
tering and raw, and the rain was wet-very
wet; it was also persistent from about IL
o'clock a m But the boys in blue were out
to pay their tributes to their dead comrades,
and bad weather did not alter the pro-
gramme. All of them had seen worse weather
and under more uncomfortable circum-
stances.
The Haymarket Monument.
While so many of the citizens were out at
the cemeteries strewing flowers over the
graves of the soldiers of the war of '6l-65
Haymarket square, where, on the spot upon
which the deadly bomb fell on the night of
May 4, 1886, a monument was dedicated to
the memory of the policemen who lost their
lives on that memorable occasion This was
the new feature of the day. But one police
man was killed on the spot-Matthas j.
Deagan-and seven died of their wounds
later. Fifty-nine others were wounded.
The Ceremony of Unwilling.
Upon a platform at the east front of the
monument a group of citizens assembled at
the appointed hour, consisting of Mayor Gre
gier, Mr.. +. j. Head the orator of the occa-
sion), and several members of the committee
which had charge of raising funds and pro-
curing the monument. Besides these there
was one other, boy, Master began, son Of
the policeman whose life was instantly ended
when the bomb exploded After the usual
speeches giving and accepting the monument
had been concluded, young began pulled the
cord that confined the flag which yelled the
tribute and amid the cheering of q detail Of
800 policemen and several thousand citizens
the statue was disclosed. Mr. Head then
addressed the throng with an eloquent
speech dealing with the tragedy the meeting
was held to commemorate and reviewing the
progress Of the nation and its present posi-
ton among the powers of the world.
Description of the Monument
John ]. Gelert was the successful sculptor
who got the prize offered by the citizens for
the best design for the statue, and its cost
was "a, 600. The statue was cast at the Amer
lean Bronze foundry at Grand Crossing. The
pedestal was designed by Burnham & Root,
and cost 80, 900 This latter is plain and mas
granite stands, its height being about seven
feet Erect on top Of this is the figure of a
policeman in full uniform. OF heroic size
nine feet high-the right hand Is raised in
the act of commanding peace, and this idea
is emphasized by ono of the Inscriptions on
the pedestal: an the Name of the People of
Illinois, command Peace" Other suitable
inscriptions occupy the other faces of the
pedestal
The Grand Army Men.
The day was very generally kept as a holi-
day, and from an early hour in the morn
ing the Grand Army posts were assembling,
and before noon they, with thousands of peo-
pie of both sexes, were on their way by
trains or otherwise to the different cems-
teries Details of @. A. R. were sent to each
city of the dead, and the usual beautiful cere-
mony of decorating the graves and the ritual
of the order were gone through with, while
at each place an Grafton was delivered in
eulogy of those who died that their
country might live. At Calvary the princi-
pal feature was the service over the grave of
Col J. A. Mulligan, and here there were q
number OF organizations connected with the
Roman Catholic church, including the Holy
Name cadets young boys in bright zouave
uniform, whose duty was the strewing of
flowers. Services were held at Rosehiil,
Graceland and Oakwoods, and the indiffer-
ence with which the crowds stood the dis
comfort of the persistently falling rain told
the deep interest taken in the services
Procession in the Afternoon.
Later in the afternoon the National Guard
and other military bodies, the Grand Army
and Veteran associations, the Sons of Veter-
ans and the fire department formed on Mich
igan avenue and to the music of a number Of
bands and drum corps paraded through the
principal streets of the business portion of
the city. The column, which numbered
5000 to 5000, was reviewed by Mayor Gre
gier, members of the city council, Gen.
Crook and staff and others, and shortly after
passing the stand dispersed
IN MEMORY OF SHERIDAN.