Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-06-19
JUNE Tin Al FOCUS.


| ToGus, June Special. "A heavy
sky from which fell occasional showers
| greeted the 18th of June, the day which is
looked forw ard to by the 220o veteran sol
liers at the Home as the day of paying ten
der respect to the memory of departed COM
rades. Considering the disagreeable state
of the weather many visitors honored the
Home by their presence, the number
roughly estimated being 2500 people.
The kennebec Central which made trip
every hour, brought large msjority Of
these while large throng of vehicles con
yeyed the remainder some of whom arrived
as early as & A. NJ. Every one appeared
dressed in their best therefore the presence
of the umbrella could not be dispensed
with.
Governor Stephenson. being absent, the
command of the Home devolved upon
Major Anderson, who filed that difficult
position with much dignity AMI ability
Under his direct supervision were the other
officers of the Home who acquitted them
selves very creditably.
In the forenoon the four outlying ceme-
teries which the Home always cares for
were appropriately decorated by detach-
ments sent tor that purpose.
| In the afternoon the exercises were IN
direct accordance With the programme ar
ranged for the occasion. Promptly at
| o'clock the procession formed with the
right resting on Rockland street, 10 the fol-
| loving order:
National HON. Band. r. W. Thieme, leader.
Cutter ro.t, No. -, Il. A. H., 7. &. GoodWin,
commander.
Officers of the Home, local manager and invited
guests.
| Veteran member. of the Home in companies, un'
der tie command of company eapt.ins
| National Home fire Department.
| The procession moved in the usual line
of march TO the cemetery, where the cere-
monies of decoration were performed. On
arrival at the cemetery the band favored
the assembly with beautiful selection,
after which prayer was offered BY kev.
| Mr. Newbert of Augusta. The decoration
| of the graves, which number los5' there
took place and was carried out in the usual
way. by vollcys of musketry, after the third
| yolley the flowers being laid on the graves
! After this was completed the assemblage
drew near the speakers stand on which was
Col IL. H. Burbank of Saco, the orator OF
the day, Major Anderson and family, the
| other officers of the Home with their fami-
lies and invited guests. The Grafton, while
not SO lengthy AS previous ones, was mag
ntccnt effort on the part of Col. Burbank
he being very eloquent and holding the
closest attention of his audience.
| At the close of the Grafton the band again
played some excellent music after which
America was sung by the entire assem-
blage. The benediction was then offered.
The procession then marched back towards
the Home, and after escorting the officers
and families and invited guests to the hand
some residence of Major Anderson, where
they were pleasantly entertained, the pro-
cession was dismissed.
Major Anderson said it was one of the
most successful Decoration days ever cele-
brated at the Home and that he was per
fecily satisfied with all the arrangements
and the manner in which they were carried
out,
| In the evening the Home band gave a
| concert of one hour in the Opera house, it
| being too disagreeable weather To permit
| PLAYING out of doors.