The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-06-06
DECORATION DAY,
The Grand Army Of tho Present
Honors the Grand Army of
the Past.
Garlands of Flowers Decorate fhe
(.ruras of Tho sso,a

the FaSt.
Garlands Of Flowers Decorate IN
ave of the Dead.
The annual recurrence of the da'
set apart TO the memory of American
soldiers who have passed "the darl
and rolling river seems to be acquir
ing a stronger hold on the affection
Of our people: and all persons. regard
less of sectional lines or former differ
enccs. vie with each other in weaving
chaplcts of flowers to dress the ella,
that covers the breast of the gallant
dead that slumber in peace beneath
What a touching sight TO witnes,
those old war-worn heroes. some. who
fought with Grant. aud some wit.
Lee. 10Y with bent backs and totter.
ing steps working side by side, in faith
and friendship, placing the wrcaths
of flowers on the sacred mounds that
.,ide from their view. the loved torn.
and features of some devoted comrade
that rheered the campfire by night.
a.'d stood by their sides on the well
fought fields that tried their souls.
Such was the case Oh SATURDAY.
Our people with unimity never before
seen. worked with willing hands end
earnest hearts TO pay this annual
tribute TO the memory of those they
loved while s~ojourning here below.
This spontaneous uprising was not
confined to the soldiers alone, but
citizens of all creeds and political be-
liefs. loaded with natures sweetest
gifts laborcd with zeal to adorn the
spots where now lie their lost hut
loved ones.
At al carly hour baskets and crates
Of the rarcst of flowers were unloadcd
at the court house, where def and
skilled fingers under the guidance of
Mrs. Badcr and Mrs. Peters. wrought
them into bouquets, wrcathS. "arlands.
anchors, harps and crosses: and trans
fer after transfer conveyed the fra
grant embleIms 10 the Several cciiic-
terieS preparatory TO their final dis
tribUtion.
Atone O'Clock p. H., the hosts began
to gather at the court house park and
marshal beneath their several banners.
First; the National Guards with full
ranks fully armed and equipped, COIN
manded by Capt. Bierwirth. filed into
their places and came to a rest.
Then the Confederate veterans,
whose thin and shattered lines led by
Maj. Dennis. stood in strange contrast
with their former well closed ranks
and soldier bearing, that met the boz
IN hlIc on the hard contested fields of
and around Atlanta. Many
were the grasp of friendly hands and
words of cheer they received from
Inc "Yanks" that surrounded them.
Next JUST Post. No. 173. G. \. T..
strong, Commander j. y. Hart
,cll. flow gray and bent they look:
Jos j.. Wray Post. No. i31, Com
ilandcr Horn. twenty-five strong:
ilcse were followed by Louis +. Bier
Post. NJ. 402. twenty strong.
The public school. four hundred in
Inc. am EcNt, each division headed
y their teachers, all under the watch
nj eye of Prof. Joyce.
Then came the Normal students.
NO hundred in line. bearing alofi
with conscious pride their beautiful
wrcathcd N garlands of roses
md eyergrecns. These were under
he personal supervision OF Prof. Me
thee. who eXcr;cd himself TO keep
lis youngsters in line. The students
we're each provided with a lovely
,ouqict in hand, and they made a fine
appearance in line.
Then came The citizens on foot and
II carriages. all buried in wreaths and
blossoms of the rarcst of flowers.
At 2 o'clock. sharp. officer of the
lay. GTstave Schlickcr. gave tie word
March, and the leading band with
low taps ana long-roll, turned into
.orimier street. and when the head of
he column filed into Broadway they
we're met by long lines of people,
handsomely decorated buildings and
he strains of maj shal music which
made the old "ycts" forget their three
core Years, their aches and pains, and
hey carried themselves with erect
md manly bearing as i'll days of old.
The line was the longest and best
'e9ulatei that ever turned out in this
.ity on Decoration Day.
AT TIE CEMETERY.
The National Guards being a little
Il advance passed within the gate: Il
harp order from Capt. Bierwirth
formed them in open order
nd halted them facing inward ON
ach side of TIE avenue, and when the
Confederate veterans caught up,
Present arms" rang out: and, as if by
every lat in tie confederate
ire WAS lifted in grateful acknowl-
dgement of the high compliment
hus paid them. After all had passed
the lines of the National
iuards save the Normal students who
rere passing under the gate. the
iuards were again brought 10 a
Present arms" and with the excep-
ion of Prof. McGhcc. all the Young
Gentlemen, sons of soldier sircs. passed
through the lines at a present arms"
nd passed the drapcd flag OF their
ouutry- with umbrellas I'M and COW