Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-07-26
PLEASANT GROVE.
Patriotic Program IL Carried Out on Pho
Inesr Day-Tribute To Mormon Battalion.

- tNfhf'N tNt w
lnesr Day-Tribute To Mormon battalion.
Pleasant Grove, Utah Co, July a.
Everybody who participated In the cell
cbratlon hold In Pleasant Grove today
went home happy aud glad that they
had been out There was little noise,
but good, lively spirit prevailed.
Howard II. briggs presided during the
exercises.
PIONEER PROGRAM.
The program was begun by music
from the brass band. Chaplain VIM.
y. CLARK then offered prayer. after
which the choir sang.
John y. brown. son OF Bishop John
Brown, a Pioneer. then made the prln-
cipnl address Of the day on "Our Pio-
nccrH." His speech wgs an eloquent.
touching and reverential rehearsal Of
tho noble work Of the Pioneers and the
battalion boys.
Mrs. EVA briggs sang The Flight Of
Ages. very prettily. our Pioneers,
Henson Walker ana John Gleason. were
next heard from In short speeches, fun
Of Interesting rcminisoenoes. Pleasant
Grove IL proud Of the fact that II IL
the only town In the State that has two
living members OF the original band OF
if3 Pioneers.
After the Pioneers had spoken. Mrs.
John c. swenson sang pretty solo.
The duet by ]. X. Allen and his little
son was well received. chorus from
the Primary association and song by
the choir closed the forenoon exercises.
one number on the program that
must not be forgotten was Biographies
Of our Deceased Pioneers" written and
read by G. y. Harper
Tho afternoon program was devoted
principally 10 the Mormon battalion.
John 9, SwcnHon read "A sketch telling
" the organization and march OF that
famous band. after which q, 8. CLARK
and =. e. White our battalion boys"
related interesting experiences while on
the way 10 California.
The following poem, written by How
ard =. briggs for the occasion, was Inn
presslvely rccited by Leonora briggs.
OUR FATHERS AND DUTY.
We hail today our Pioneers.
And by their side shall stand
The boys OF the brave Battalion.
Another immortal band.
when Justice has done her duty.
when the tale has been fitly told,
Kings will lift their coronets.
And praise those leaders bold.
Think Of a people driven
by torch and bayonet.
Across an ice-bridgcd river.
Their eyes toward a desert set.
Imagine. II you've power.
That starving half clad mass.
Through the lingering months OF win
Houseioss in tho biting blasts.
Spring at last warns tho sufferers
but with ~ comes. up and nwayl
Peace shines afnr on the mountains;
Lift your burdens; your God calls
obey"
over Iowa's rolling prairie.
March that hcart-heavy throng.
They are nearing the muddy Missouri
Struggling, struggling along.
Here their dodllke patience and faith
Receive another trying blow;
This time Ills a call from their coun-
give hundred OF your best men must
CO."
Now tell US. boys. what would you
Not n weeks provision in store.
Father feeble. wife. children. depend
ent,
Mobs behind and redskins before.
You are asked to follow old Glory,
Path. n desert continent wide;
Then fight on an cncmy's country,
While the world your efforts dcrldc.
Did your fathers ahrink7-Not mo-
ment-
They cut every tic Mt n stroke,
Left dear ones TO fight with starvation,
And trustingly bowed to the yoke.
Their march, what words can half
tell n?
Weary ana foot sore. to tramp on and
on,
on. to foul water. on gnawing raw
hide.
on, thinking ever. How are they at
homer"
But they trlumphcd-reaohed the Paei-
nc
To nnd peace, as their Prophet fore
told,
And the glory OF that brave Battalion,
The years to come Will unfold.
Il. C. Banks was then introduced as
toast and n number OF appro-
PIRATE toaata were responded 60.
"'rho Goblin Dance" the funniest on
funny performances, closed the pro-
gram. The day was finished up by
sports and dances, INDUCED In chiefly
by the youngsters.