The Press., 1897-06-03


 The Memorial day exercises passed of according to the program arranged Mem | bers of Elisha Johnson Post of Willing | ton and D. P. Corbin Post of Union marched with the local post to the ceme- tery Saturday afternoon. The line of march formed at 9 o'clock, and, escorted by the Citizens Band, moved to the cem- etery, Reuben BurIey acting as marshall l As the members of the post marched by the sad fact that their band is becoming less in number each year was only too appal ent One by one the comrades are dropping out, and nearly every year ther are new graves to decorate. Quite a crowd gathered at the cemetery to wit ness the dedicatory exercises, the beauti- full weather making 1t possible for large attendance. The exercises opened with a short address by Anthony Adams, chair man of the erection committee, in which he presented the monument to the post. The ritual work, which Is quite impress i've, followed. Prayers were offered, and the singing by the school children formed an interesting feature Of the program. Following the dedication exercises, Rev. J. A. Solandt of Staffordville, gave an in- teresting memorial address. The new monument, a picture of which appears in this Issue, stands in the center of the sol diers' plot, presented to the Grand Army by Orrin Converse, and Is conspicuous from all parts of the cemetery and from the highway. It is made of New Hamp- shire granite and stands on a cement foundation with granite coping 13 by 14 feet. The monument consists of base 5 by feet and sub-base surmounted by a die block weighing four tons, which Is re- cessed to support the trunnions of the large cannon. The cannon is one of six of this size owned by the government, and was procured by Winter Post at the Charles town navy-yard through the intervention of Congressman k. s. Henry. The mon- ument Is the work of A. w. Kingsbury The inscription on the side facing the drive reads:
 Erected by Winter Post, No. A, G. A. R., assisted by the Woman's Relief Corps
 
 | comrades. Dedicated May 30, 1897.
 On the front in heavy raised letters cut in panel are the words, "Veterans, 1961- ls65," and in the rear, "G. A. R., 1897. |" On the other side is the following inscrip- tion:
 "A tribute to the patriotism of the men who went to the defense of the coun- | try from Stafford in the war of the rebel | lion. The present beQueath to the future the remembrance of the heroic past"
 The inscription on the coping Is "Winter Post plot No. 40, a gift of Orrin Con- verse, Esq" The committee having the erection of the monument in charge was Past Commanders Anthony Adams, J. c. Cleaveland and John Arnold.
 CARD.-Winter Post was well pleased
 with all the exercises of Memorial day
 and the comrades are satisfied that it was
 as successful an observance as they have had in a number of years. They take
 this occasion to return their hearty thanks
 to all who helped them make the day a
 success; to the teachers and scholars
 who had appropriate exercises in the
 schools the day previous; to the citizens
 who were present in such large numbers
 and with such interest at the services iu
 the various cemeteries; to the Relief
 Corps, and to those who contributed to the bountiful lunch, which was so thor.
 oughly enjoyed by the comrades after
 their long and hard mornings work; to
 the band, whose inspiring music made
 the marching so much easier; to the Rev J. A. Solandt, for his able address to the Christian congregations, which omit ted their services on Memorial Sunday, l and wnra DrPaanf with thair nactora af the union service; to the Rev. J. 1. Bar. {, tholomew, for his fine sermon; to the
 committee on the monument, for their
 neat and attractive design; to the school
 children, who were present in the ceme. teries, and helped the comrades so much 3 and so beautifully in their sacred duty ol , decorating the graves of their dead. The I comrades desire to express their specia gratitude to Orrin Converse, for the larg est single gift that has ever been made tc l the post, and which made possible one o e the best soldiers monuments ever erected Jesse Moulton, of Monson, visited friends in town yesterday.
 The Misses Chamberlln are spending { week in Norwich and Danielson.
 Guys Mlnstrels have been booked a the Opera house for August 3Oth. Mrs. M. J. Leach, of Greenwich, Mass r is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. E. L 8 Burr.
 Dick Ellis and Dick Fisk camped ou l at Crystal Lake over Saturday and Memo 3 rial day.
 Charles Davis, who recently took DO
 sition at Cleveland, Ohio, has returned = to his home.
 Dr. F. l.. Smith has been appointed tC ' serve on the new pension examining board - of Holland county.
 D The Nipmucks are planning to go int, camp at Leach's Island, at Mashapaug . about August 10th.
 l. Councilman Bartlett, of Willlmantic @ was in town yesterday looking after hi
 insurance interests.
 @ The marriage intentions are announces ,- of James Reardon, of Cambridge, an @ Miss Ellen Donovan.
 Dr. and Mrs. Martin, of Brooklyn f were guests the first of the week of thel X son, Rev. T. D. Martin.
 # Mrs. Jas. Rlsley and granddaughter d Miss Smith, are visiting relatives in Wa - terbury and West Hartford. 8 At the M. k. church next Sunday even @ ing, at o'clock, a prayer meeting will b I- held instead of the usual preaching ser !. vice.
 w. w. Lathrop has placed a new Vic ,. tor fire proof safe in his drug store. @ safe of the same make is in the Masoni