Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-06-03
DEAD HEROES HoNoREp.
Custer Patriots Observe Memorial Day
With Impressive Ceremonies.

L
| In accordance with the usual custom,
religious memorial services were con-
Quoted in one of the Custer churches
last Sabbath, that being the Sunday pre-
ceding May Both. The regular services
of the other protestant churches were
omitted, and at IL o'clock in tbs morn
ing large congregation in which all re-
| ligious denominations were well repre-
sented had assembled in the Baptist
church. The pastor, Rev. G. II. Mckee,
| opened the services with an earnest
prayer; a musical selection by the Gus
ter male quartette followed, and then
Rev. ID. w. Tracy, who had been invit-
ed to preach the memorial sermon, ad-
dressed the congregation. The speaker
touchinglv alluded to the priceless SER
vices Of the honored dead, to the tender
and loving memory of them, which has
continued ever distinct in the minds
and hearts Of their surviving comrades
and descendants. Briefly describing
the republic Of the United States in all
its present glory and grandeur, he point
ed to it as the result of their heroic
deeds, the monument which they them
selves had raised as they fell on the
field Of battle. 1t was in preserving
this great heritage from all besetting
dangers that we could best show our APP
probation of the sacrifices that were
made for US in the dark days Of strife.
Every loyal American citizen was warn
ed against carelessness and Indifference
to the progress OF the affairs Of state and
nation, and urged to stand firm in these
times of peace for the principles which
were so gallantly defended in the war
for the union. Throughout his dis
course, the speaker sought to effectively
teach that lesson which seems so diff
cult for the present generation to learn;
that Of self abnegstion, devotion to
country first and self afterwards. with
out the notes Of the bugle and roll Of the
drum TO call US to the standard, or the
tangible presence of threatening foe
TO inspire us to action. 1t was a note
| Of warning that may well be sounded
from every pulpit, rostrum and stump
until the best elements of the nations
| citizenship are up in arms against those
insidious enemies of liberty which al
most complete their work ofdestructioh
before they make their presence known
Another union meeting, addressed by
I Rev. Mckee, was held in the Methodist
church Sunday evening. The subject Of
the address was the work of the men
and women who did not 60 to war, but
whose services at home were almost as
necessary as the ones performed by
those who participated in the conflict.
He liiened them to the brother of the
prodIgal son. and indicated how easy il
is to fail to appreciate great deeds which
are performed without ostentation or
publicity. 1t is safe to say that never
before in Custer was Memorial Sunday
more faithfully observed, nor did earn
est, patriotic words ever fall with great
or force or convicting power on listen
ing ears.
All Custer seemed imbued with the
spirit of patriotism as Memorial Day
approached, this year, and as May 30th
drew near hundreds of fair hands busi-
ed themselves in gathering flowers and
foliage, trailing vines and evergreens,
n hila daff Il fnraro an Qua kao,t; e,l ,y-oa,ba
and artistic festoons And who can say
that as these floral tributes were prepar-
ed they were not sanctified by silently
falling tears, springing from hearts in
which sad memories had once more
been awakened.
When the sun looked down on Custer
Tuesday morning its brilliant rays tinted
With golden. haloing shades the folds of
Old Glory which floated from flag staffs,
housetops and store fronts. Business
was practically suspended, and during
the morning preparations for the events
of the afternoon went steadily forward
until all was complete.
At l:l5 p. m. the members of Gen.
Steele Post began to gather at'their hall,
and thirty minutes later between twen-
ty and thirty of the boys in blue "fell
in" for the march to the court house
In front of the Kleeman the Custer City
Cornet Band joined the post and with
out other halts the procession proceed
ed to the court house. Just before noon
the weather changed and storm blew
up from the east, but the falling rain
held no terror for the crowds which
sought admission to court house hall
Every seat in the spacious room was oc-
cupied when the exercises commenced,
and those who of necessity came later
found it difficult to secure standing
room. The interior of the hall had
been decorated with taste and lovely
effect. The vast natural fora of the
Hills had yielded bountifully Of its ex-
haustless stores and many house plant
had offered its choicest blossoms for
the occasion. Sweet flowers and grace
ful evergreens we're everywhere. adorn-
ing the walls and chandeliers, and nest
ling in the folds of the stars and stripes
which draped windows. doors and ros-
trum. Commander Carr called the as
semblags to order, and AFTER selection
by the band the order Of the Grand
Commander, for the observance of the
day, was read in expressive tones BY s.
r. Shankland. Rev. Tracy offered pray
or and the impressive ritual service oi
the G. A. r. was repeated by J. c. Carr
the post commander. A beautiful selec.
tion was sung by the Custer City Gles
Club, and Immediately after. the orator
OF the day, E. G. johnson. Of Hot
Springs, was introduced. Years age
Mr.. Johnson was \ resident Of Custer
| and a. in his Introductory remarks hs
spoke OF the pleasure il gave him tc
stand amid familiar scenes and to looi
into the faces Of friends Of long ago, the
hearts Of bis listeners warmed toward
him. and the speaker was in touch with
his audience. To give brief sypopsi,
ofths address which followed would b
an injustice to him who delivered IL
and We will not attempt 20 do 90. II
was q MASTERPIECES Of rhetoric and or.