Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-22
TO THE HEBREW DEAD.
mEmoRIAL-DAY OBSERVANCE By THE
LADIES' ASSOCIATION.
The Soldiers Graves Decorated by Loving
Hands and Prayer offered By
DR.. harris

The weather was very uniayor4ble to the
Memoraa.day observance at the Hebrew
cemetery Yesterday, and consequently the
attendance was small.
There were showers AZ Intervals during
the day, aud dark and threatening clouds
warned the prudent and delicate that to 90
out was 10 run great risk Of getting wet.
Nevertheless Il good many Of the members
OF the Hebrew Ladies' Memorial Assocla-
ton ana some Of their friends repaired TO
tie cemetery, carrying waters of fresh and
iragran. fOwcr,. and with willing hands
they laid them on the graves OF the two
score or more gallant soldiers who fell IN
the deieuce 81 the COniedcrlcy and are bu-
RED In this cemetery.
There was not q soldiers grave in this hal
lowed place on which there were not laid al
legst hid dozen bunchcs Of pretty roses or
other flowers, and some Of the mounds over
the bodies OF COptcder1tes who lie buried in
private sections were pfoiu.ely decorated.
tbs OBSERVANCE.
For many yesrs past the ladies' OF this as
sociation have set apart one day IN the year
for this hai!owe1 purpose, and whenever ci..
cumsianccs have been auspiciOu, the dccOra-
tons have been successful, and the annual
recurrence oi the event has ever attracted
large sssemblage 10 the cemetery.
The observance has never been AZ all Os-
teutshous. la years past the military, or
one company, were usually invited; but
since the buryng-ground has become 20
closely filled with graves there is not room
for any large crowd; nor could the military
march within the enclosure without plough
ing uD TIE weii-kept graves.
Yesterday there were no formal exercises
other than prayer by Rev. DR.. a. Harris.
TuE CEMETERY.
The cemetery Is situated about two squares
heyOud the north end o. Fourth street and
Just 20 the east 81 the city almshousc. u is
on a beautiful emTncnce overlooking the
Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works,
and command pretty view beyond ShOcSoe
creek. II contains perhaps as much as five
acres, inciudlug y recent addition. The
ground ~ very prettily land on; the sections
;Ie small and well kept; there are greet
many handsome monuments and shafts;
nearly all ~ toe sections contain shrubbery
or flowers, and altogether The hurying-
ground Is a very pretty one. lt was origi-
ullly owned by the Portuguese congrees.
ton, and the FIRST iuterment was made there
about seventy years ago.
TIE SOLDIERS SECTION.
The soldiers section is about 2jyj0 feet, is
near TIE main entrance, and contains thirty
graves, each marked by ucst marble head
and foot 5ord-the former bearing tue
name and COMPANY ~ The soldier.
The fence enclosing t1eeccton WAS erect
ed about twenty year, ago from very
striking design by Aaior l.. ]. ID. Myers.
II has recently been pTated and brOnZed
and now presents very handsome appear
a1cc.
The fence ia thought by many 20 be The
prettiest iu the country for purpose ~ thl.
kind. The p0sis are made OF i've muskcts
stacked, with the upper parts Of them wrap
ped lu the Confederate 1ag, displaying TIE
star, in the corner, and on tie top Of this
rests soldiers cap. On tho outside Of
each post swings sabre.
These posts are several iect apart, and a.
tcrnatcly between them are smaller posi-, oG
only ono gun aud sword. Midway between
tine smaller and larger posts are sabres
crosscd-lOrmng the pllings, as It were.
Toe whole is Of cast-iron, and the effect is
admirable.
DR, HARRIS PEAYs.
Just9s tie city rel's we're tolhng6 o'clock
DR.. u4rri. walked 10 the centre Of the sol
diers' lot while the audience stood around
the enclosure and offered the following
PRAYER:
Almighty God. loving Father OF an man
kind, as Thy children VINO worship Thee in
truth and sincerity, under whatever name
ana forms, we would one ana all come 10
Thee. for Thou art our all and in a.l.
Without Thee our HE would be an empty
shadow; en Idle dream without meauing.
Associated with Thee u takes on deep im-
port, ior % is taen preparation for higher