Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-29
THE DEDICATION.
An Eloquent PaneGyric Upon the Departed
Labor Leader-The Handsome MOnu.

An Eloquent PaneEyric Upon the Departer
Labor Leader-The Handsome AIOuu
ment Unveiled.
In the park the wind was keen and cold
and chilled to the bone. Scattered fakes O
snow whirled through the naked trees. Th,
earth was wet and added to the discomfor
of the thousands of people. Many a sever
cold will date from the unwilling exercise
yesterday.
The speakers and several dignitaries oc
cupied a temporary platform facing tn,
monument, and between it and Ohio street
1t was colder there than anywhere else. Tnt
wind swept across that high platform with
malicious velocity. Some of the elderly
ladies who sat there would have been petri.
fed by the cold had not the ushers procured
some heavy blankets and half covered them
with the generous protection. Nobody
dared to remove his hat during the most
solemn part of the service, and even the
Rev. David Jones prayed with his hat on.
For space 100 feet wide all around the
monument the police kept the people back.
There, after their arrival, the bands
were assembled, and played sweet
music. Outside of that magic circle the
people stood as patiently as they could, and
by their numbers and the densityof their
crowding, tried to keep warm. Over the
great shivering crowd tapped the big flag
on the park flag staff, cracking and swapping
in the gale as if it were angry because it
had only 3S stars in its field. Down below.
where smaller. but brighter, flags waved
over the many companies moving this way
and that nearly everyone of the standards
proudly displayed AZ stars in its field of
blue.
THE LONG COLUMN ARRIVES.
1t was about 12:45 O'Clock when the head
of the long procession reached the park, and
it was three-quarters OF an hour before the
last body arrived. The vicinity of the
monument was already surrounded by a
great crowd of men, women and children.
The bands were conducted one by one into
the open space reserved for them, while the
members of the many organizations either
mingled with the shivering crowd or hurried
away for their homes and their Thanksgiv-
ing dinners.
Persons holding special invitations were
admitted to the platform. A number of
ladies and gentlemen connected with tie
Armstrong family. among them the mother,
brother and sisters of Thomas A Arm
strong, occupied front seats. Others present
were:
Judge Collier, Judge slasle. Judge stowe,
Colonel Robert Munroe, John F. Steele, John
tlannery, DR.. u. b. Sturgeon, Rev. DR.. Joseph
Horner, Rev David Jones, Rev. W. r. CowI
Samuel Gompers. President of the Federation
of Trades; William Weihe, President, and
William Martin. Secretary of the Amalga-
mated Association of Iron and Steel Workers:
/. n. Ross. Master Workman of D. A. No. 3;
John M: Kelly, editor of the Commoner and
Glass Worker; Attorney W. l. Bird, James
Campbell, President of the Window Glass
Workers Union, and others.
Order was maintained in the great crowd
by force of Allegheny police under the
direction of Chief Kirschler and Captain
Wilson. The tall monument was wrapped
with white canvas, which was tapped so
hercely by the wind that it threatened to
fall of before the opportune moment.
THE EXERCISES BEGUN.
A few minutes before 2 O'Clock DR.. D. B.
Sturgeon, chairman of the executive COM
mittee of the Thomas A. Armstrong Monu-
mental Association, went to the front of the
platform, and after asking to be excused for
keeping his silk hat on, said: ''The vast
multitude assembled here on this very in
clement day, to dedicate to the memory of
highly illustrious brother "a monumental
likeness in endurable rock, is a most pro-
nounced and unanswerable refutation of the
declaration that the industrial classes are
ungrateful to whose who hon
estly and efficiently labor for the ameliora- |
hon and the betterment of their conditions |
in life" DR.. Sturgeon then announced |
that the band would play Mr.. Armstrong; |
favorite hymn, Nearer, my God, to Thee"
The hymn was played in grand and sweet |
style by over 100 pieces, under the direction |
of Prof. Charles w. CASTOR, of the Grand |
Army.
After the music, prayer was offered by |
Rev. David Jones, OF the First Methodist |
Protestant church. The band followed this |
1y medley Of religious melodies, "Rock of |
Ages, " II love to tell the story" etc.
THE MONUMENT COMMITTEE.
DR.. Sturgeon then read an account of the |
york Of the monumental association. He |
aid:
On the first day Of October, 1887. in the incep-
'arly zenith of his manhood, in the midst of |
most noble life work. death quietly summoned /
lim TO the realms of everlasting peace. His
udden and unexpected death was deeply felt
nd sadly mourned by his legions Of friends
Who loved him dearly and respected him most
'rotoundly for his many noble qualities of head
nd heart. His funeral was largely attended by
lis friends. and it was there. in the mellow
round of grief and sorrow appeared a spon-
aneous outgrowth of unanimous sentiment |
hat duty to the distinguished dead brother de-
handed that suitable monument should be
rected and dedicated to his memory.
Actuated by common consent, in the DIS
barge of sacred duty, a large meeting con-
ened in the rooms of the Amalgamated Asso-
lation Of Iron and Steel Workers, on the even
az of the uth day of October, 1887 which re-
ulted in the organization Of the Thomas A.
LrmBtrong Monumental Association. The Com.
littee on Permanent Organization reported
be following gentlemen TO care for the inter
SITS of the association, and they were unani.
lously elected:
President William weihe, Of the AmalRamated
-ssoeiAtion Of Iron and Steel Workers; Vice j