The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-06-05
BRAVE BOYS THEY,
Who Fell in Defense of Their
Colmtry's Integrity,
THE MEMORIAL DAY OF A NATION.

nIultitudes Turn Out to Pay the Annual
and Testify That They Died Not in Vain
"A Brilliant Parade at Chicago-Inter-
esting Event at Chattanooga-The Pres
ident at Philadeiphia-sad Death of
Veteran.
CHICAGO, June 1.-If the clerk of the
weather had been under the orders of the
Grand army commander-in-chief,h he could
not have done better for Decoration Day
than he did. The air was just cool enough
for comfort, the day was clear, and every
thing was propitious for the yearly tribute
to the memory of those who "died to make
men free" The morning was devoted to
the actual business of strewing flowers
over the graves in the various cemeteries
in the suburbs of the city, and this labor
of love was well DONE AS early as a. m.
the frequent passage of some post of the
G.. A. X. with fife and drum, and excepting
step to the music of the union," gave evil
dence that the old soldiers were marching
to strew flowers on the graves of their
dead comrades. In many of the compa-
MES there were young children-some Of
them little tots-going with their fathers
to visit the "windowless palace" of some
loved one whose life went out in the war
of the rebellion.
The Afternoon Parade.
The principal event of the day. aside
from the exercises in the morning,
was the afternoon parade. This was a
brilliant success, was more than an hour
passing given point, and was partici-
pated in by nearly every G. A. r. post in
the city, besides others from suburban
places. The long line of blue was lighted
up here and there with the gay uniforms
of Knight Templars. Knights of Pythias,
Patriotic Order Sons of America, and
Zouaves The Fifteenth regiment u. S.
regular infantry was out in force, COM
manded by Col. Crofton, and the FIRST bril-
gade /. n. G. presented very soldierly ap-
pearance, and won the commentator
therefor of the thousands of people who
densely lined the sidewalks and roadway
leaving only room for the line to pass.
Notable for Their Appearance.
The most striking body in the line, so
far as appearance goes, was the Chicago
Aluootio, OhO ShiSdSo SAsho iioiSC QUAY o
were next and the zouaves next. The COM
pany of Italian bersaglieri was also a nota-
BILE feature, not only for their novel uni
form, but also for the fact that they car
ried the Italian flag as well as "old glory"
The p. o. S. A. asserted their American
ism by carrying star spangled banner
about every fifty feet along their entire
line, and it was long one. All the mem
bers of the police and fire departments of
the city who could be spared were also in
line, the former headed by late Chief of Po-
lice Marsh and the latter by Chief Sweenie.
They presented fine appearance, and the
firemen "took the cake" in the perfection
of their march by platoons.
Reviewed by Gen. Miles.
In six divisions the parade passed
through part of the business portion OF
the city, finally countermarching on Mich
igan avenue, where the reviewing stand
he'd been erected. Here the chief review.
ing officer was Gen. Miles, U. S. A., and
with him were Department Commander
Horace S. Clark, G. A r., and Gen. Miles
staff. AS the veterans passed the stand
the ladies of the Woman's Relief corps
showered them with flowers. Altogether
it was grand day for the vets, many of
whom were grizzled and gray-haired, and
the procession was the largest Decoration
Day turnout ever seen in this city.