The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-31
FLOWERS FOR LIVE HEROES.
no GRAVES AT FAIR OAKS TO
BE DECORATED.
Eloquent Grafton by G. w. Ficks--
A Mothers Sentiments
Other Features.

Never was Memorial Day more faith
fully observed than by the residents OF
Fair Oaks yesterday. People poured
in from Folsom, Orangevale and other
sections until some four hundred or
more had assembled TO pay tribute to
the soldiers who gave up their lVes LOT
the preservation Of the Union.
BY 10 o'clock the large hall was filled
with people. The decorations consist
ed Of a large wreath of flowers, bunting
and the Stars and Stripes. on the
speakers platform, in a miniature sea,
rested a large and handsome model OF
the battleship Maine, draped IN black
in memory Of the brave sailors VINO
went down to death in Havana har-
Dor through the treachery Of Spanlards.
The exercises were divided into two
parts, one portion being given in the
forenoon, and the remainder in the al
ternoon. During the noon hour the Ia
dies Of Fair oaks invited their friends
and guests to a grove near by where
We're found tables loaded with the
choicest of edibles.
The programme was as follows:
Song, America, by the audience; in
vocation, Rev. Mr.. Sheldon; song
Sleep on" male quartet; recitation,
"One Beneath Old Glory Roy Bowers;
remarks, by Colonel John Thompson OF
Iowa; recitation, Barbara F'reitchie, -
Miss c. V. Fitch (who scored a success
as a reader and received a mer1ted en-
core); duet, 'Wreckage Of the Maine, -
Miss Kiefer and Mrs. Sheldon; recita-
ton, The Message" Miss Jean Smith;
solo and chorus, Dewey" Miss Schann
and Messrs Derby, Phillips and Holtz;
recitation, "Asiatic Squadron, Miss
Louisa Wickman.
George w. Ficks of Sacramento, the
orator of the day, delivered an able and
patriotic address which was we'll re-
ceived. His theme was Memorial
Day." which gave a wide latitude, and
the speaker made the most of his sub
ject. It was an eloquent, patriotic and
pathetic grafton, and coming from a
veteran soldier of the civil war it was
doubly appropriate to the day and &C.
casion.
The programme was concluded by re-
marks by Mrs. Lena Watkins. Mrs.
watkins only son enlisted a few weeks
ago in the Twenty second Kansas Vol
unteers. and is now on his way to Cuba.
She said:
States of America, are gathered thOus-
ands upon thousands of loving, patri-
otto people to pay their annual tribute
to the fallen heroes of our own beloved
land. Everywhere We see the Stars and
Stripes waving reminding us that for
them they fought, bled and died, and
to-day they still wave DER the land OF
the free and the home Of the brave.
Taf 10
graves of the brave. boys in blue who
gave their ufe's blood for the freedom
we enjoy to-day, we can bring those
who are living a loving tribute OF flow
ers and tender thoughts and words in
speech and song. In absence OF the
graves the committee decided to deco
rate the living veterans, and for each
have been wrought with loving hands a
bouquet Of flowers in honor OF their
bravery and patriotism.
one year ago to-day we met for the
first time at Fair Oaks to do honor to
the nations dead, little dreaming what
a wear would bring forth. But a kind
Providence has let fall curtain be-
tween us and the future, and who
would dare lift that curtain for just
one little glimpse? While a merciful
God has shut out the future from US,
He has also left a precious promise that
as our day is so our strength shall be.
Many times some of us, who have
not lost loved ones on the field of battle,
have attended memorial services and
watched loving hands place the beauti-
full flowers, watered with tears, on the
graves of loved ones. How We felt
for them and how thankful We were
that our country was now at peace
with all nations and that there would
be no more cruel war to crush the
hearts of mothers, wives, sisters and
sweethearts. But how far we were
from knowing how bitter and deep that
sorrow was. Indeed, to know we must