The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-31
YESTERDAYS PARADE
Appropriate Services at the Cemetery
and in the Opera House.
CHILDREN AND FLOWERS
Comrades Edwards and Davidson
Speak With k.uch Feeling The
Grafton of Rev. Mr.. Avis
Music and Singing.

been more general and the ceremonies.
though not elaborate, were of a char
acter suitable to the occasion. A light
shower of rain that fell most inoppor-
timely as the. parade was ready to
start dampened the uniforms of the
soldiers and took the starch out of the
white dresses of the school children,
but did not interrupt the order of the
day and ceased before the cemetery
was reached.
The mounted police were in their new
uniforms, and presented an appearance
quite metropolitan at the head of the
line. After them came the band, which
appeared for the first time this year
in public and gave evidence that care
full practice together will soon make
them as good as last season.
The G.. A. r. came next, the central
figures of THE day. Every man of them
had gray hair and as they kept step
TO the music, there was not the firm
tread Of the march of years ago; most
of them were bent with years and to
the thoughtful 1t became painfully APP
parent that in but little while their
presence in these programmes will be
but a memory, even as that Of the
comrades whose graves they decorated
yesterday.
Following them came the Wolfe Tone
guards, making a contrast that could
hardly be avoided. Sturdy young men,
with shoulders erect and steady step
such as they are, those veterans were
when they first wore the blue.
The Uniform Rank of the knights of
Pythias were in line and presented
handsome show.
The school children marched along
in a throng like a hock of sheep, all
bearing flowers and in mimic dismay
because of the sprinkle of rain, yet
they bravely trudged to the end.
In the lead of the carriages came ].
r. Campbell and Ronald p. McDaniels,
the only survivors of the Mexican war
who live in Anaconda. They bore an
aboundant supply of flowers and the
graves Of Judge Irvine and Veteran
MCGEE were remembered by them
Chief Elston drove a light wagon at
the head of the fire department, which
followed. The firemen have new and
neat uniforms of blue with the regula>
tion cap.
The rear was a long line of citizens
In carriages and others afoot wendell
their way to the cemetery on the hill
The programme there was carried out
as published. Adjuhant Hallahan read
the department orders, Elder Barnaby
offered prayer, the Glee club sang a
song, and Commander Edwards con-
Quoted the service of the G. A. K.
ritual.
1t was about 4 o'clock when the peo-
pie returned from the cemetery and as
eembled in Evans opera house. Seats
In the forward part were reserved for
the veterans and others occupied chairs
on the stage.
Rev Mr.. Spencer opened the after
noon with prayer, and the band played
avery fine overture.
Post Commander Roger Edwards
was then introduced by President of
the Day T. c. Davidson, and made a
short speech of Introduction that was
full of feeling and most timely elo-
quence. He said:
every recurring year brings to the
q. A. r. this day of remembrance when
you strew the graves of our fallen COM
rades with flowers of spring. 1t Is a day
of significance to us; IL brings many
memories that flood over our hearts as
we take part In these exercises. AS we
look upon the silken banners about us,
memories of the days when we saw
that flag torn and tattered, its folds
stained with smoke and dust of battle,
crimsoned with the blood of our COM
rades, come over us. 1t rejoices our
hearts as these memories come to know
that to-day, throughout this land, every
man who yielded his life in that great
struggle has been remembered, and to
his memory, tenderly and lovingly,
flowers, beautiful tributes to their sac
rifice, laid upon their graves or offered
in respect to them. Here in far-on
Montana, there sleep the brave men
who have gathered here from all parts
of our nation; some who came from
across the sea and staked their lives
and fortunes for an adopted country,
have to-day been honored, as is their
due.
ave of the G.. A. r. have been pleas
ed to see the children so interested in
p our exercises When we are gone they
Will not forget. We are passing away;
our ranks are decreasing now at the
rate of l 900 men every 80 days; time is
making greater losses than those we
met in battle and, as we find a vacant
chair in our lodge room and miss the
voice that is stilled, we can not ignore
or overlook the fact that we are but a
handful, and we are passing away. The
children of to-day soon must carry on
our plans and our duties. We thank
you for your appearance here to-day"
The Liederkranz, a chorus of male
voices, rendered a pretty song entitled
volunteers Farewell"
President T. c. Davidson then spoke
briefly in words well chosen and effect
i've. 1.-The fast revolving wheels Of
time have again. comrades, brought
around this day and its duties. Not
withstanding the inclemency of the
weather, the interest in our observance
of IL has been greater than we had ever
hoped and it gives us great pleasure.
IT proves to us that in patriotic. liber-
ty-loving people, Anaconda is not lack
ing. and we bid you welcome. Though
our ranks are thinned. our gray hairs
plentiful. with prophetic eyes we look
into the future and see unborn genera
lions yearly taking up the work which
we have done to-day.
while we have often recalled the
sacrifices which the war demanded, the
hardships Of the soldiers, there are 9TH
ers that / would not have forgotten
with the memory of the men who
marched away. let there be forever
linked the memory Of those who waved
US farewell and then turned 10 their
homes and with hands unused 10 toll
took up the battle for bread and life
The noble women. mothers. sisters
faaa wfG v-hn Tough