The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-05-31
DECORATION DAY,
Memorial Services at the Nuuanu
Cemetery.
About Five Thousand Persons Present
Splendid and Imposing Pa
Reant, Etc.
INrRoDUCToRY NOTES.

Yesterday the great events OF the day
were the decoration of soldiers graves,
and the ceremonies connected Herewith.
Previous to 3 p. N. the hour appointed
for the march to the Cemetery, a large
quantity of flowers had been collected
at Harmony Hall, the headquarters OF
Geo. do Long Post, G. A. R. About
a dozen ladies were employed all the
forenoon in constructing wreaths to be
used as symbols in the decoration Cere-
monies at the graves; and among the
floral blossoms were roses, magnolias,
lilies, oleanders, ferns, and other flowers
and plants, both exotic and native.
At3p p. m King street, between Fort
street and Harmony Hall, was lined on
both sides with people awaiting the
formation of the procession; and a few
minutes after that hour, squad of eight
policemen marching in line arrived upon
the scene. These were soon followed by
the Royal Band which took up position
in front of the hall, then came the Of
fcers of native corps, and lastly the
Honolulu Rifles-Over 100 strong.
Several maneuvres were gone through
by the military corps; and finally the
procession was formed with the band
leading, the police and native officers
next, the Honolulu Rifles third, and the
veterans of Geo. w. de Long Post q. A.
R., carrying wreaths of flowers, last.
As the procession moved in its
MARCH TO THE CEMETERY
the appearance of the pageant was very
imposing; and the band, in it's full
strength, played appropriate music.
The line of march led up Fort street to
! Hotel street, thence along that street to
| Nuuanu street-thus changing the first
| proposed order by avoiding Beretania
street. The march then proceeded up
! Nuuanu street and continued through
| Nuuanu avenue to the Cemetery-the
band playing appropriate airs all the
way.
Several houses on the route were
| draped with American flags, and all the
| carriages, hacks and horses of the city
seemed to be present upon the occasion
Besides these there were thousands o
pedestrians hurrying on toward the
Cemetery or walking by the side OF thu
procession.
On reaching School street runawa,
team caused a temporary anxiety, bu
the procession was not impeded, AM
| proceeded leisurely up the sleeper pOr
ton of the grade.
| Approaching the cemetery, and unit
the platform therein was reached, tn
band played the Dead March in Saul AN,
the military corps marched to slow tim
with arms reversed. The platform Wa
placed in the south western division c
the cemetery, and the procession entere
the Eva or southwestern gate and file
along the drives to the place appointed
IN THE CEMETERY
the veterans of the George w. de Lon
! Post marched to the makai side of tn
| platform and took their seats in front
| while on the opposite side the band an
the military corps took up their position
Between the latter and the veterans, wa
an Oblong square area where wer
several grave-mounds-the whole GOV
cred with mantle of closely cut grass
and upon which was placed cannon
and an American flag draped with Grape
| Upon this square, which was in front {
the platform, the crowd of onlooker
were not allowed; and the several div
sions of the procession, and those con
nected with the ceremonies, faced thi
open space. The platform was cOverel
with canopy; and upon it were chEst
for the accommodation of the choir, -
q space reserved for the orator. 45e +day