Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-31

BOSTON-THE CEREMONlES In
NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA,
AT GETTYSBURG AND AT 9TH
Err POINTS-A NATIONAL TRIB-
UTE TO THE NATIONS DEAD BY
HENRY WATTERSON. AT LOU
ISVILLE-AN OUTLINE OF
CAPT. DOyENER'S ADDRESS.
Special to the Register.
Grafton, w. Va. May 30.-Despite
the heavy rains and the fierce storm
yesterday afternoon and last night,
Grafton to-day is in holiday attire.
Flags floating from every business
house and residence in our town.
Bands, cheered by twenty thousand
loyal American citizens, have been
playing patriotic music since early this
morning. 1t is enthusiasm everywhere.
At twelve O'Clock all the business
houses closed. and their proprietors,
as we'll as the clerks, assisted in max
ing this Graftons greatest Decoration
roads, and these, as well as the regular
trains, we're packed with people, and
at some stations they were unable to
bring the crowd that wished to come.
The special from Morgantown bring
ing the Cadets, arrived at 1920, and
long before it's arrival every available
space at the depot was taken up by
those desiring to see West Virginia's
military boys. The Reform School
boys, in charge of the officers of the
school, marched through the country
and arrived at 1870, with their COM
missary wagons, which were unloaded
near the west end of the county bridge,
and the boys here enjoyed a hearty din
ner.
The memorial services were conduct
ed during the forenoon by Reno Post,
visiting members of the G.. A. R., and
the w. R. G. At nine o'clock they
marched to the cemetery. where the
regular salute was fired. Two hun
dred small girls dressed in white sang
patriotic songs and gave the flag sa-
lutte. After the decoration of the graves
had been completed, all joined in sing
ing America" thus concluding the
morning exercises. The procession
was formed at l p. m. on st. John
street, and consisted of five divisions,
in charge of Chief Marshal w. P. Kin
ter. A platoon of twenty mounted po-
licemen, followed by the Grafton band,
lead the first division, followed by the
Sons of Veterans, the members of the
G. A. r. and the Spanish-American war,
soldiers. The cadet corps and the
Piedmont band constituted the second
division, followed by over dozen of
the secret orders, the Fetterman band,
the Reform School boys, the Fleming
ton band, the speakers and other dis
tinguished visitors in carriages, fol-
lowed by citizens on horseback, on
foot, etc. The procession was one of
the largest ever seen in Grafton, and
was cheered along the line of march
by the vast crowd of people.
Rev. F. N Lynch lead in prayer.
Commander Thomas Nuzum introduced
the speaker, Congressman Dovener, of
Wheeling, who received a hearty APP
plause.
The speaker briefly reviewed the
great struggle, the sacrifices made and
other great events gained by the war.
1t was an eloquent address and was
loudly applauded throughout by the
large audience, who listened attentively
throughout. In closing his remarks,
the following beautiful language was
8used
Comrades, it is not worth my while
to tell you that | am glad to be with
you on this occasion. because you
know that true soldiers of the army
never meet but they are glad to see
each other. 1t does not make any diff
ference in what regiment, brigade,
army corps, or branch of the service
We fought; it is sufficient to feel and
know that in the hour of danger we
were true and loyal in the discharge of
our duties and the defense of the flag.
Before me / see men who were with
me-men of my own division, who fol-
lowed the flag as it swept upward and
onward against the fatal parapets of
Forts Gregg and Whitworth. But the
greater portion of those who were with
US then, now sleep peacefully beneath
the clods of the valley. These thoughts
should, and no doubt do, stir our feel
ings with sadness and sorrow. But,
comrades, one of the saddest relec-
tons which comes over me in this
connection is that, in the course of ma
ture, that Grand Army whose step
made this continent tremble, will soon
he no more. Soon will our eamp-fires
be extinguished; the great majority
have already passed over to the other
side. There is not a church yard in
which veterans grave may not be
found. Thousands sleep peacefully at
Gettysburg, and the hills of Pennsyl-