Smyrna times., 1897-06-02
DECORATION DAY.
Impressive Ceremonies 1.-THE GraVes-OratoFy on the
School House Green.

Impressive Ceremonies the GraVes-oFatoFy on the
School House Green.
Decoration Day coming on Sunday
made the full observance fall on the
next day. This was the first official
observance by the w. S. Hancock Post
since its organization and was success
full beyond their anticipation, placing
the citizens, especially during the af-
ternOOn exercises, uuder debt of
gratitude for a real enjoyment in patri-
otic oratory.
By arrangement the Dover Grand
Army Post was to join them here in
the celebration of the day. The
threatening weather of the morning
prevented the full number that expec-
ted to come, some %, Commander 1.
G. Lofand reaching here with IA COM
rades. The delay caused by the
weather made the cemetery services an
hour late, and it was after one o'clock
before they had all been visited. The
Smyrna Post were at the Odd Fellows
Cemetery awaiting the arrival of their
Comrades from the Capital. Having
given the proper salute to the fallen
number of their comrades in the late
war at this and the Presbyterian ceme-
terry, they marched to the beat of muf-
fled drums to st. Peters, Glenwood
and the old Methodist Cemetery, where
the same ceremony was repeated and
three salutes over one grave in each.
The graves were marked with a flag,
and including those of the 9th, Della
ware Regiment. number thirty.
The B. F. Butter Post, colored, J.
Emory Darnell Commander, went
through the same ceremony of decor
ating the graves of their dead in the
cemetery at Bethel A. NJ. E. Church.
ON THE SCHOOL HOUSE GREEN.
In the afternoon nearly 500 people
assembled on the school house green
to hear the OratiOns and glowing trib-
utes in memory of the days great
event. A speakers stand, richly dec
GRATED with flags, bunting and flowers
stood impOsingly among the trees and
here the best local talent was ushered.
The exercises charge of Comman
der J. C. Garner opened with sing
ing by the school children under the
leadership of W. 0. Hoffecker, anC
supplemented with the cornet by w
q. Anthony. Rev. Robert Roe, oI
Kenton invoked the divine blessing.
Rev. Adam Stengle of the Methods
Episcopal church was the first speaker
who i'll few fitting words spOk,
tOuchingly of the ''unwritten history
of the late war. He was followed by
: Rev. G.. w. Dame of ST. Peters Epis
cOpal Church on the common soldier
in the civil strife. He related the i'm
pressions made upon him in his nativ
town in Virginia and closed by build
ing lofty monument to the memor,
> of those who gave their lives to tn
cause. Mr.. A. g. Cummins was tn
next speaker and he directed hi
= thoughts and sentiments to eth
+ foundation of American Liberty" an
{ especially the custom of the G.. A. r
Il men in holding dear the memory c
3 their comrades. He highly praise
e the ritual they used.
u G. H. lie Fevre, principal of on
u Public Schools, might be credited a
u the orator of the day for his polishe
> address sounded the call of patriotism
Il as far as his voice could be heard, an
i he delivered it in mastery style. H
was followed by another speaker who's
Il stirring words possibly had a create
y effect upon the masses of the peopl
70 than any speech given. This was /
l. Rev. L. W. Layfeld of Smyrna CT
I cult. His line of thought was directe
q principally to the conviction" of til
II soldier in the Civil war. and clothed
it was in eloquent words, produced q
enthusiasm which seemed to swell in IL
&c heart of every patriotic citizen.
If Just after his speach, the fife al
m drum corps struck up a martial al
al John II. Hoffecker was called upon f
III few remarks which he gave in h
h. usual style and vigor. The bal
= played yankee Doodle" and the chill
W rem sang "The Star Spangled Banne
Vt after which Rev. J. L. Estlin pr
If nounced the benediction.