Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-21
MUSTERED OUT"
Funeral Of Late Private Ezra
Colcord at Newport.
Whole Town Gathers to Pay Last
honors to Brave Soldier.
1T Regiment Band and Firing Squad Also
Attend irem Augusta.

The cold September winds sweeping and
wiirlipg through Riverside cemetery.
tonight stlirs the dust from a new made
grave. Another soldier has been mus
tered out" taps has sounded the last
time for him, and into all eternity he
has marched. and he can never be ire
called" The Village street has been
silent, only stirred at eventide by the
marching feet of comrades-in arms
and the members of numerous socie-
ties. Mercantile establishments, mills,
factories and workshops have been
closed for the day, and all Newport mas
Joined the aged mother in rendering
the last sad rites to one who lost his
fife while in the performance of his
duty to his country, a soldier in the
field
The funeral Of the late Private Ezra
COlcord. late of The Maine branch of
the United States Signal Corps. who
died, last week, at Montauk Point. of
ma1arial fever contracted in the field
at Santiago, was held here, today.
All places of business and manMfac-
turing establishments We're closed by
mutual consent. Flags on school
houses and from the liberty pole on Il.
A. II. hall were set at haaf-mast
Young Colcord was a citizen respected
alike by all. Those who knew him best
respected and admired him most. He
was the last male member Of his
branch Of the family OF Colcord.
When wars grim spectre lowered
and the call for troops was sent ous
from Washington ON lightning's wings.
sumunoning men Of the greatest natior
on earth to the field Of battle, to battle
not for that nations freedom, not for
the purpose of striking the CALLING
chains of a tyranical king whose rule
had made his own country the home OF
serfs. but in the name of God of t.M
manfy and OF civilization to strike
from the shoulders of the serfs of an
ether nation THE bonds which made life
"a porture and stung the quicken!rg
senses Of the whole civilized world,
Ezra Colcord responded to that call.
The Journal man remembers the day
CoFcord enlisted for the writer intro
dtsced him to Captain Butler.
Colcord was one Of the very best tel!
egraph operators and worked for sew
eral years in several offices of the NJ.
c. r. II. His last station for that COM
pany was at East Newport. 1t was
soon after the battle of Santiago that
Private Colcord fell i'll with malaria.
His, case became such a serious one
that he was sent North in the hope that
his life might be saved. He reached
the detention hospital at Montauk
Point. where he died, last week. The
remains reached here, Sunday after
noon,
The deceased was q years of age and
childhood. He was a member of Old
Hickory Lodge. I. O. Q. F.. No. 05. Paran
Encampment, No. &c. Sebasticook Grange,
+. of H.. No. aU6.
The funeral services were held In Meri-
dian hall and were in charge of Under
taker A. c. Bradbury. The officiating
Of the Methodist church, assisted by the
chaplain and members of Old Hickory
Lodge in their customary ceremonies.
Fred Parks, a comrade of Colcord at
Santiago. now at home on sick leave, at
tended the ceremonies. which were also
and Victoria Rcbekah Lodge. No. 974. and
II. G. Libby Post. G. A. r.. No. u.s.
The LIST Regiment band, under Chief
squad of eight men from Co. H. Corporal
Jos. +. King In charge. arrived on the
3.90 train TO take part in the exercises.
The hall, which was heavily draped
with flags and bunting. was filled and a
large crowd stood unon the outside. Al
o'clock the services at the hall had
closed. and the casket. draped with the
american flag. was placed In the hearse.
The line was then formed as follows:
II. +. Triton. Marshal.
LIST Regiment Band.
Firing Squad, Corporal King.
Old Hickory Lodge, L. o. o. F., No. 105.
Paran Encampment. No. 80.
Victoria Rebekah Lodge. No. 9A
Sebasticook Grange. =. of H., No. 500.
Fl. g. Libby Post. c. A. r.. No lis.
Senior Vice Commander. S. II. Stuart.
Hearse.
Bearers--W. f. Rackliff. Ernest Chase
Crosby Bcyde, +. w. Croker
Relatives in Carriages.
Citizens In Carriages.
The procession started. the band play
Ing Pettee's funeral march. Rock Hill
and Choral The procession was accom-.
panied by a throng Of people on foot
The burial was in Riverside cemetery
In a conspicuous lot. At the grave while
the casket was being lowered the bant
played dirge. Then the firing squad
fired three volleys over the grave. The
event closed by the sounding of Lights
out" by Chief Musician Howe.
1t was day long to be remembered b,
the rising generation of this place. hun.
dreds of whom witnessed for the firs
time the burial of n soldier who had sac
rificed his life In following his country:
flag.