The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-31
AT MISSOULA.
Glowing Tributes to the Heroes of Both
Wars

Wars.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Missoula, May 3O,-Memorial day
dawned bright and clear, but clouds
shut out the blue sky early in the
morning, and the outlook was not en-
couraging for the veterans. However,
the clouds scattered again before they
had done any harm, and the afternoon
was clear and cool. The programme
as published was carried out to the
letter. The forenoon was devoted to
the work of the flower committees, and
their services were performed thor
oushly. At the Valley cemetery, the
Catholic cemetery and the burial
grounds at Fort Missoula and at the
Higgins ranch, the graves of the de-
parted boys in blue received the trib-
ute of respect and honor from the
hands of their surviving comrades.
The beautiful ceremony has lost none
of it's significance in years. but has
served rather to keep alive the MEM
DRY of the men who gave up their lives
for a principle AT noon the work of
decorating the graves in the several
cemeteries had been completed and
there was an intermission in the pro-
gramme until the afternoon. Many of
the business houses in the city were
decorated and flags Were displayed at
half mast from all the public buildings.
The Bee Hive store was the most elab-
orately decorated of all the business
blocks, and it's appearance attracted
general attention.
The afternoon parade formed at the
city hall, headed by Esmays band.
The line of march was short, extending
only from the city hall to the opera
house, where the formal exercises of
the day were held.
The Grand Army turned out a larger
number of veterans than usual, and
for the first time in the history of this
city the young veterans, the heroes of
the Spanish war, had place in the
line. They turned out a good force,
and their appearance in the parade
added much to the effect of the occa-
sion. The members of the Woman's
Relief Corps Joined in the parade at
the corner of Main street and Higgins
avenue and proceeded with their hus-
bands, sons and fathers TO the opera
house. Here the programme was as
published: Music, Esmay's band;
prayer, Rev. j. C. B, Stivers; song,
Ladies quartette; memorial services,
G. A. r. and w. R. c.; song, Banner
quartette; address, Capt. F. G. Hig-
gins, U. S. "; solo, Miss Grace Hern-
don: address, Hon. F. c. Webster; song.
Ladies quartette; recitation, THE Blue
and the Gray Hon, John Mcguire;
song, Banner quartette benediction;
music, Esmay's band.
The address of Captain Higgins was
on behalf of the new veterans, the boys
who followed the example of their faith
ers and took up their rifles in defense
of the same principle of liberty that
prompted the volunteers of 81 To the
veterans of the civil war Captain Hig-
gins gave high praise and honor 1t
was their example, he said. that made
the boys of to-day so willing to re-
spond to the call of their country a
year ago. Their example will live as
long as there is history, and the vet
eran of the latest war will do their
duty in perpetuating the memory of
the veterans of the war of a genera
ton ago. Captain Higgins spoke with
feeling and eloquence. His remarks
were warmly received and voiced, be-
yond doubt, the sentiment of all of
the younger men of his audience.
Mayor Webster's address was a bril-
liant and glowing tribute to the veter-
ans of the civil war. He reviewed
briefly the history of that conflict and
said that never in the worlds history
had more sublime courage and I'M
daunted bravery been displayed than
in that conflict. They presented an
example of devotion to principle that
will be undying. The address was one
of the best ever made in this city, and
the mayor has received many compli-
ments.
A pleasant feature of the memorial
exercises was the singing of Miss Hern-
don, who repeated the previous sue
cess that she has won in Missoula.
John Mcguire contributed much to
the exercises by his splendid rendering
of that beautiful poem, 1.-THE Blue and
the Gray" Mr.. Maguire's rendering
of this piece was excellent. The tears
coursed down more than one face in
the audience, and the words Of the
immortal poem burned deep as the vet
eran actor recited them this afternoon
The exercises would not have been
complete without this number.
The observance of the day was on
the whole one of the pleasantest and
most successful ever held in this city.