The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-06-10
a pecoratlon pay Dream.

ED. ENTERPRISE AS your correspond
ent, with grip sack and order book, tray-
els to and iro over the country, he has a
chance to see now Memorial day IS kept
in many different places and hos noted
that while the large cities offer more cost
lv decorations, yet it is in the quieter
country towns that the sabbath-like still
ness, caused by an entire suspension from
business, impresses most deeply upon the
mind the memories and lessons of the
day
II was, therefore, without regret that
found myself destined by wreck to pass
the day in this thriving little suburb OF
the Cheese city. The day was perfect
one-bright and warm-and the usual ex-
ercises were held in the forenoon with an
eloquent address by President Tanner OF
Bethany college, followed by the placing
upon each green mound of floral tributes
gathered from field and garden and forest
and brought by the loving hands of little
children named after the sleeping war
riors. For the beautiful custom OF thus
perpetuating the names and memories OF
the dead heroes has now become general
one. Then beuntiful lunch was served
in the various rooms and yard of the high
school building by the ladies Of the W. X.
c., after which the procession was formed
tor the afternoon parade and event OF the
day--the unveillng OF the. long-talked of
soldiers monument.
Marshal Fred Green aud bis assistants,
all In police uniforms, led the way follow.
ed by the Sullivan cornet band Of forty
members, six of them being young ladies,
who, having discovered that they could
play cornets 'and clarionets just as
well as their brothers and sweelhearts
could, had joined the band and made a
most attractive appearance 10 their neat
costumes. Next came the Lincoln Rice
camp of Sons of Veterans and detach.
ment Of the 14th N. q. escorting one Of
Liveryman Blinn's four-in-hand turnouts,
in which were seated the three surviving
members Of the Grany Army post with
Rev. Tanner and Judge BlinD, Of Findlay,
chairman Of the building committee. Fol-
lowing them came the Lodi light artillery,
the volunteer fire department, school
children and citizens in carriages, making
in all long procession, which, after tray-
ersing the principal streets, was massed in
the public square around the fiag-draped
monument, where. after prayer by ReY.
Tanner, Judge Blinn delivered an inter-
esting historical address, which space will
not permit me to sketch here. He then,
in behalf of the building committee,
transferred the monument TO the township
officers and announced that the unveiling
would be done by the Grand Army men.
While the quartet OF French horns from
the band pluyei Prof Chamberlain's men,
orial hymn, two Of the veterans removed
the lower drapery, revealing the ulassiye
granite base with all Its deeply chiseled
roll OF honor and then leading forward
their blind comrade placed in his hands
the ropes which yielded to his trembling
pull, slowly raised To the top Of the ad-
joining staff the large flag that draped the
heroic.sized bronze figure Of u picket
guard, which Mrs. Rogers KooDs, who de-
signed the monument, had chosen for a
subject. As the flag reached the top OF
the staff and fioated out TO the breeze, the
band and school chorus struck up the
"Star Spangled Banner; the artillery fired
a royal salute, In which the whistle Of the
electric station Joined and the engines
down at the Midland and B. & q. yards
sent back ready echo.
But joyful as the day had been thus far,
1t was destined to have sad ending.
Hardly had the last round Of applause
died away when the blind veteran was
seen to reel and fall back into the arms Of
his camrades. He was quickly carried TO
Drake & Sons drug store, where Drs
Gregg and Parsons assisted by Surgeon
Mann, Of the navy, who was spending his
frlough at home, did everything possible
10 restore him, but their efforts were USE
less. Overcome by the in6rmaties Of age
and the excitement Of the occasion, the
brave soul Of the old veteran had answer.
ed to Its last earthly roll call and Of all Of
sullivan's brave boys in blue but two were
left to see the sun 60 down this memorial
decoration day. The ANTIQUARY.
Sullivan, D., June 2, 1904.