The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-06-02
THE FOUNTAIN DEDICATED.
Water Is Turned on i'm the Beautiful
Memorial Fountain in Lincoln
Park.
A Brilliant Parade, Followed by
Interesting Exercises and an
Address by Gen. Pope.

S6TN6u DIS uOlIooy W chS cooA"SSN
men. and the banks and schools were
closed all day.
The parade formed promptly at 9
O'Clock under the command Of Mar
shall Geo. w. Mead, and the line of
march was taken to Lincoln Park,
that little emerald in set
ting of the finest residence portion
of the city. In the column were
Wilkin Post and the visiting post
from Eagle Lake, Co. F., Sons OF Vet
Grams representing the army and
navy, the fire companies, school chill
dren, drum corps and COncordla band.
1t presented a fine appearance. AT
ter the exercises the Womens' Relief
Corps supplied lunch to the veteran
soldiers in the basement Of the NJ. E.
church.
A raised floor and seats for the Choir
uses, city officials, monument COM
mittee and Others had been prepared
east of the fountain. This and the
adjacent ground on all sides was occu-
pied by large crowd comprising citi-
zens. school children and the members
of the uniformed bodies. An open
space about the fountain was preserv-
ed.
The exercises opened at 1915 o'clock
with music by the Concordia band
Adjutant Geo. W. Mead, of Wilkin
Post, read General Order No. 3, refer
ring to the observance of Memorial
Day.
VIM. n. Plymat, member of the
Post, was introduced by DR.. j.
Davis, who acted as master Of cere-
monies, and made some eloquent re-
marks. In the name of the Post he
extended welcome to all. He re-
ferred feelingly to Memorial Day and
said that people in all of the walks of
life were present to do honor to the
principles of patriotism, heroism and
liberty. 1t was particularly pleasing
to see the school children present
They are growing up under the care
of faithful teachers imbued with the
same principles that supported the
old soldiers in the dark days of the
past. 1t was also particularly pleas
ing to see the Normal students pres
ent, also representing eV-
cry walk of life and various localities.
The High School Athletic Society had
year ago and again this year fixed
upon Memorial Day for their field day
sports. At our merest suggestion
they have SubOrdinated their plans to
meet with US. Saturday we should
lay aside our cares and renew our
youth with those noble youths and
beautiful maidens in their sports at
the fair grounds. We are fast reach
ing the sere and yellow leaf. During
the past year 1000 of the old soldiers
have been carried away, and during
the past eleven months eleven of our
own number have passed to their re-
ward. There are eleven new mounds
to strew our flowers upon. The
speaker referred to the beautiful Gus
tom observed on Memorial Day, and
asked the living to so conduct them
selves always on this day that it may
be day Of coronation for our dead.
A guard of honor of eight members
of Wilkln Post were posted about the
fountain by Sergeant Carter.
The national flag was unfurled in
front of the monument.
The Normal and High school Choir
uses, led by Misses Griffin and Soule
respectively, united in singing "Star
Spangled Banner
The Normal chorus then sang "CoI-
umbia," and the High school chorus
TO Thee, Oh Country" Both dis
played the careful training which
they have received, and were roundly
applauded.
Mrs. John Williams, representing
the Womens' Relief Corps, screwed
flowers in the basin of the fountain
and made some appropriate remarks.
The Normal ladies' double quartet
sang Cover Them over with Beauti-
full Flowers" in an effective manner.
Chaplain Wakefield, of Wilkin Post,
offered prayer.
w. w. P. Mcconnell, in the name
Of the Grand Army of the Republic,
dedicated the fountain to the mem
DRY Of those of the navy and army who
fell in the defense of the couhtry's
flag. The flag was then saluted.
The High school Glee Club sang
"Tenting Tonight" so well that it
was rouudly applauded
Gen. E. M. Pope was then intro
duced and gave an eloquent address,
which we will publish in full tomor-
row, as it is Of great local interest.
In conclusion he said:
''And now come to the perform
ance of the most pleasant duty of
this pleasant day.
"MR. MAYoR:-In behalf of Alexan-