The Van Buren press., 1898-11-26
A PROUD MOMENT
was the One When the Cornerstone ef
the Confederate Monument was
Placed Last Thursday for the
Members of Mary Lee
Chapter, U. DC,


Early Thursday morning anxious faces
were turned heavenward to speculate
what weather the day had in store to
crown one of the most impressive mo.
ments in the history of Van Buren,.
everything betokened bright autumn
day, and but that the temperature had
taken another decided fall all would
have been satisfied.
Early the preparations began to make
the event an impressive one and they
were continued without intermittance
oy the loyal Daughters of the Confed
eracy up to the stroke of the hour that
announced the time for the starting of
the procession. Half an hour before
the time of starting the participants In
the parade began to assemble in front of
court square, while along the route as
ssmbled the youth, beauty and chivalry
OF Van Buren, and neighboring towns,
many of them the children and grand.
children of those who took part in the
memorable struggle that filled the
graves in whose centre the saft of honor
was to be erected.
At2:30 Mr.. Shibley, who had been
chosen marshal of the day, gave the
signal for the starting of the procession
which was headed by the Queen City
Band. Following came carriages con.
tanning the five young ladies represent
ing the five states whose dead lie buried
in our cemetery, the officers and mem
bers of Mary Lee Chapter and the ora
tors of the day. Then came on foot the
survivors of the Lost Cause the
majority of them bent with the weight
of years, but nothing daunted by the
chill November winds, were ready to
do their part in honoring the memory of
their fallen brothers in arms of third
OF a century ago. They were mar
shalled by Capt. Smith, wearing the
uniform of Confederate officer, which
he wore during the troublous times,
thirty five years ago. At their head
were carried, side by side. the stars
and stripes the flag of united country,
and the stars and bars. once proudly
carried aloft in battle, now folded sym
bolic of the fact that those who once
fought under the latter are proud now
to claim the former as their country's
emblem.
Following these came the various
secret societies of Van Buren, and q
portion of the fire department, present
ing an imposing appearance, and these
in turn were followed by the wives and
daughters Of ex Confederates and ex.
Federals in carriages, all alike anxious
to honor the memory of brave men.
The procession, after arriving at the
cemetery formed around the foundation
in the centre of the Confederate ceme
terry and after selection by the band
Rev. Stevenson offered feeling prayer
for the repose of the dead soldiers.
The young ladies representing the FIVE
states whose dead lie buried here, at
tired in gray caps and gowns, then took
positions, the one representing Arkan-
sas near the centre of the foundation
and the other four at the corners facing
in the direction of the states they repre-
sented.
Mrs. H. A. Meyer. president Of Mary
Lee Chapter. then stepped forward with
the box containing the mementoes to be
deposited under the stone, list Of the
contents of which she read. At the
conclusion of the reading the officers Of
the chapter stepped forward and at their
direction the cornerstone was laid with
all the ritualistic and beautiful cers
monies of the Masonic order.
The entire assemblage then joined in
singing that ever beautiful hymn
Nearer My God to Thee, after
which Rev. Grammar pronounced the
benediction. The Queen City Band
closed the exercises at the cemetery by
playing Dixie to the strains of
which the old Confederate flag WAS
once more unfurled, and as it straight
ened out to the breeze it appeared
carressingly to sweep the cornerstone
just placed.
The weather being too inclement to
expect the orators to speak in open air,
the scene was shifted to the opera house
where for more than an hour the large
assemblsge listened to beautiful trib-
utes and tender memories as they fell
from the lips of that idol of Arkansas
Confederates, Senator James Fl. Berry
and that impressive orator Hon. Jos. M.
Hill of Fort Smith 1t is impossible
for us to give anything like a synopsis
of the orations in this issue, but every
one who has ever heard them knows
what Senator Berry and Judge Hill.
with such a subject. are capable OF, and
the sentiment they expressed on this
occasion seemed almost inspired.
Thursday was day to which the
members of Mary Lee Chapter, U. d.
c., will look back to with pride.
Wanted to Know.
-. ,vs1