The Delta independent., 1895-06-26
Memorial Day at Hotchkiss.

Memorial Day at Hctchkiss.
The SGth of May. 1895. did not dawn
bright and beautiful az it sometimes
has in this lovely North Fork Valley,
but on the contrary at the first approach
OF daylight and which had deepened and
darkened almost to the blackness Of
midnight hung heavy below the lofty
the heavens seemed wrapped in sorrow
and in tears.
This day the one in all the three hun
dred and sixty-ive days in the year, has
been designated for the continual OBJ
scrvance in honor OF the defenders Of
our nation, many OF whom are today
lying in unknown graves beneath the
southern sky, and yet in our hearts we
cherish the sacred memory Of those
fallen heroes, regardless OF stormy clouds
and threatning rain. From far and near
the people came bringing with thom
thousands OF beautiful flowers.
At II o'clock the procession formed
consisting of seventy-tive carriages,
buggies and wagons and twenty five
horsemen. Tray they presented a fine
though solemn appearance as they
slowly wended their way up the long
grade to Rogers Mssa 10 the cemetery,
at which place the people formed in line
and marched to the graves, led by the
North Fork Post, commanded by
Marshal Dunn. colors floating trium-
phantly, borne by Mr.. Mics, Sons of
Vets, ". R. c., girls and boys carrying
small flags and flowers, clergy and
citizens completed the column.
Ceremonies conducted according to
the rules in the ritual. Next in order
was the decoration OF graves where the
following be autiful lines were recited by
Miss Efie HOLSTER.
Cover them over with beautiful flowers,
Deck them with sarIands these brothers of
ours,
Lying so silent by nigh; and by day,
Sleeping the years of their manhood away.
Years they had worked for the Joys ofthc
brsve,
Years they must waste in the sIo;h CT the
grave,
AL ine OElsol isuIe4s. lney luuehi W EaaAe
bloom,
Fell to the earth when they went to tho
tomb,
Give them the need they have won in thu
past
Give them tho holors their merits forecast,
Give them the chaplets, they won in the
strife,
Give them the laurels they lost with their
life.
Cover them over,-yes, cover them over
Parent and husband and brother and hover,
Crown in your hearts tt7ese dead heroes Of
ours,
And cover them over with beautiful flowers.
Thence the column moved to the
cenotaph which had been erected for
the occasion in honor OF those who sleep
in graves beneath the Palmetto and Pine,
lines so appropriate was well recited by
Miss Luva Meek.
"once again the flowers ara falling
On the gallant and the true,
Who today are sweeily dreaming
Meath the canopy of blue.
'Tis for them we weave the chapIei,
'Tis for them that we entwine
With the leaves Of the Palmetto,
Fragrant branches OF the Pine"
The ceremonies closed by salute OF
three volleys of blank cartridges the
firing squad commanded by Lieut.. Ed
Fawcett after which the procession re,
formed and returned to Tabernacle in
town for dinner, at 1:3O p. m. The large
audience OF five hundred, in number
was called to order. Rev. Mr.. Harps,
| invoked the divine blessing
The recitations by Miss Ester Dunn
and Lincoln's address at Gettysburg by
Master Don Meek were rendered and
much appreciated.
Speaking by the orators Of the day
and singing by the choir assisted by the
audience was full of patriotic enthusi,
asm. At four o'clock the exercises closed
and the people OF North Fork Valley re
turned to their respective homes through
the rain.
| Mrs. L. D. WILNor.