River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-06-02
Memorial Day.

As the summer approaches and the
flowers bud and blossom we have
again the most impressive and beauti-
full of all oul nations holidays, Memo
rial Day. Tie Fourth of July has
perhaps lost much of its original ideal
and become a day of recreation and
pleasure, with little thought on the
part of its votaries of the real signif-
canoe of the day, but the day of
decorating the graves of the fallen
soldiers has too recent an origin and
the memories it celebrates are too near
to us for it to have lost much OF its
Specification, and its celebration is
increasing in interest each year.
Reports show a very general obser-
walton of the day throughout the
country and in our own section it was
not neglected.
At River Falls, the G.. A. r. having
an invitation to assist the Hudson Post
on Monday the exercises were held on
Sunday previous. BY the energetic
and tasteful hands of the ladies of the
Relief Corps assisted by others the
Congregational church was hand
somely decorated with flowers and
dropping flags. The members of the
G. A. r.. the war veterans and Ladies
Relief Corps were assigned special
seats in the body of the house and the
remainder of the spacious rooms were
filled at an early hour. Not the least
among the attractions was the troop
of children gathered around the pulpit
platform where they had been placed
for want of room elsewhere, their
bright happy faces adding much to
the general effect. The sermon was
preached in an able manner by Rev.
j. ii. Avery, pastor of the M. Z.
church. Select pieces OF music sung
by the choir were of a character spe-
cially adapted to the occasion and the
perfect manner in which they were
rendered made them an especial fea-
ture of the occasion.
The special decoration exercises
took place in the afternoon. At 3P.
NJ. the G. A. r. formed in line at their
hall and marched to the cemetery
escorting a large number of children
mostly robed in white who carried
garlands and wreaths. Arrived at the
cemetery the ritual exercises were
held at the spot nearest the graves of
DR.. Andrews and Captain Knowles,
and then the children divided into
small bands and led by members of
the Post performed the sad and yet
loving duty of laying the garlands
upon the grass-grown caskets where
lie the soldier dead. Although rain
fell soon after the people reached the
cemetery all remained until the con-
clusion OF the exercises, evincing by
their attention and interest the deep
feeling had for the soldier dead.
Early Monday morning the members
of 1. N. Nichols Post of the G.. A. r. of
by the Woman's Relief Corps, the
River Falls Cornet Band and large
number of friends. They received a
warm reception at Hudson and un.
bounded hospitality. The exercises
were varied from the ritual by an
address from Judge Humphrey given
in his usual happy manner which WAS
well received by all who had the good
fortune to attend.
The Post at Ellsworth also cele-
brated on Monday in a beftting man.
ner. The address was given by Allen
P. Weld followed by one from Rev.
Mr.. Bride of Ellsworth. A novel but
effectual feature of the exercises were
declarations by school children who
recited selections appropriate for the
occasion. The choir also aided greatly
by we'll selected pieces.