Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-05-31
John H. Mosi
John H. MOsis
Special attentidA AlkklON
bate Practices
dIIDfIRNN ~
MEMop,A, day in the
AN.l1. oh, and the
Impressive Ceremonieii mold the
tendance--GcOdY
AUPUsoN.

Wednesday morning 60, 5onaa,
and beautiful upon a peo.o oiai uanocs
to gather to do honor to lrsehsen, OUT
dead. A few years ago I.
though this beautiful a1,. Sunaa.IS
custom was beginning to wane in it's
observance. Recent and tremendous
circumstances of vital import to our
future, have sprung up, to make it a
living custom. We know of but one
other country that observes the same
custom and that is our sister re-
public, Mexico. Wednesday, as we'll
as a year ago, came the intelligence
that from the far off shores of Luzq
our boys wrapped in the folds of I'll.
flag they loved, were not forgotten
but that sweet scented tropical f1owers
were strewn over their unsodded rest.l
ing places; that the salute of honor
was fired over their silent home; that
the sweet strains of the bugle were
heard sounding taps, the soldiers re-
QUEEN, upon the tropical breeze. The
memory Of their sacrifices, coupled
with the sacrifices of go, gives the
day a new significance.
Our people seemed to realize it this
year, for as the teams and people be-
gan trooping into our town, it seemed
as though the fields were entirely de-
serted and all the country had turned
out. The rain of the night before
made the day one of double thanks
giving to the farmers.
The program was carried out as given
in our last issue. Mayor II. w. Hanna,
as President of the Day, ably assisted
by e. ]. Freeman, as Marshal, had
everything so we'll in hand that moth
ing happened to mar the impressive
ness and harmony of every exercise. i
The musical part of the program,
under the able direction of Mrs. Car
michael, was one of the incest features
of the day. After the prayer, and an
able address by President Hanna, Rev.
L. j. O'Conner was introduced. He
delivered an Grafton befitting to the
occasion and full of fiery patriotism.
Old veterans eyes shone fire as he
wildly portrayed the past; youths felt
their blood tingle and nerves thrill as
he hung upon recent events. His die
ton and delivery was most excellent;
everyone speaks highly Of it.
The services were held in the Pres
byterian church, but it would not near
contain the crowd.
After the services at the church, the
long procession marched to the ceme-
terry where the ritual services were
performed by the members of the G.
A. r. Rev. j. F. Hinkhouse made a
short, patriotic address, and four girls,
drilled by Miss Hattie Bilharz, recited
Lincoln's Gettysburg speech in unison.
This was followed by the decoration
Of the twenty-six graves iof dead
soldiers by as many boys, while as
each grave was strewn with flowers,
! the cannon, fired by E. Baxter, G. w.
Bailey and j. M. Griggs, thundered a
; sa4ate 81. hener in memory Of a. sfruine
we'll performed. .
It is a notable fact that then
Grand Army of the Republic are 81
ping away one by one. Fifteen yeal
ago there was not a soldier in MapIA
Grove Cemetery, while now twentNS
six sleep there, as monumental pillars
of loyalty to the sacred laws of ou1
country.
Wednesday was one of the best days
ever held in the town. The order was
good and the day one of solemn OBJ
j servance.