The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-06-01
DECORATION DAY.
Its Observance In The DaIles-Procession
and Exercises at the Cemetery.


The temperature yesterday was
something unusual for the season. be-
ing cool and windy; but this did not
debar very many from visiting the
cemetery early in the day, and spread
ing their floral offerings on the graves
of loved ones who had passed to the
silent shore. The wealth of flowers ON
graves signifed that the dead were not
forgotten, and that their remembrance
was kept constantly green and sacred.
Loving hands and hearts entwined
| wreaths around tombstones, and COW
cred the sod above the inanimate re-
| mains of those who slept in the narrow
flowers, and in this way the day was
rendered doubly hallowed and holy.
The living are our daily companions,
and one day in the year we can profit
ably devote to those who have passed
to the silent shore and bend silent and
thoughtful over the buried founts of
memories, recalling incidents and
words of those who wove tendrils
around our hearts and souls, the sew
ering of which cost many pangs of
poignant pain and remorseful regrets.
At half past o'clock the procession
was formed in this city in the order
mentioned in Wednesdays issue, Co.
A of Wasco taking the lead, followed
by Co. G of this city, and the hospital
corps under command Of Lieut.. Die
trich, these forming the escort to mem
bers of the Grand Army and Women's
Relief Corps. The military were un-
der the command of Col. G. T. Thomp-
son and staff of the Third regiment,
mounted, and in this order, followed
by q large concourse of citizens in |
carriages, they marched to the Odd !
Fellows cemetery. The militia made |
very imposing appearance, and
worthy of especial mention was the |
company from Wasco, which is COM
posed of fine appearing, soldierly men,
who have paid close attention to mill
tary maneuvres and have won high en-
coniums from drill masters. The ranks
of the old veterans are not as full as in
former years, some having answered
to the last muster roll, while Others
have become too debilitated by age to
sand to the resting place of their COM
rades. The column arrived at the
cemetery, and with military precision
took seats in front of the stand. The
marble shaft erected in memory of
those who had answered to the last
roll call was properly entwined with
floral wreaths, and above it the old
flag foated at half mast. Mr.. j. M.
Patterson read the proclamation of
the grand commander and introduced
the ritualisGic exercises. After prayer
and singing, each member of the G. A.
r. deposited floral offering to the
of fallen comrade. The
singing was rendered by select choir,
and the songs tended to awaken men,
ories of departed heroes. After the
services of the ritual were finished,
Miss Russell gave recitation, which
was we'll executed and appropriate to
the occasion. The soldiers and citi-
zens then marched back to the city,
and the ladies Of the Relief Corps en-
,ertained the members of the Grand
Army and A and G companies with a
oountiful lunch in Fraternity hall.
This was done in very creditable
manner, although the Relief Corps
lad attended the ceremonies at the
cemetery and were undoubtedly weary
Ind tired.
After IL o'clock the city had the ap-
of Sunday. Flags were at
and all places of business
we're closed. AS memorial day of the
lead of the armies of the union it was
acred to all patriotic citizens, and as
. day set apart to the memory of loved
mes it was hallowed to those who have ,
ow chambers of clay. The Both of I
rance to all, and all classes and con-
itions of our citizens can devote one ..
ay in the year to the loving memory !
r tho dead :