Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY
Observed With Very Interesting
and Appropriate Exercises.
The Decoration Of Graves and the
Grafton on the Common.
Stirring Address BY Non. ". W. Sietson, s'a'e
Superintendent Of Schools.

Memorial day was generally obserV-
ed in this city and the exercises were
appropriate to the day. None of the
industries were running and all the
places of business We're closed during
the afternon and some of them during
the forenoon The day was not good
one. Early in the morning. hght
rain began to fall and with the three
previous days of rain and no sun. the
streets were nothing but mud. untii
early in the afternoon. the rain con-
tinued to fall. but when the procession
formed and during the exercises. there
was n letup.
There were many out to witness the
ceremonies.
In the forenoon detachment from the
Grand Army made visits To the Gene
teries in the immediate vicinity ana
the Sons of Veterans in a body march
ed to the Highland Avenue burying
grounds where they decorated the
graves at that place.
Some changes were made in the al
ternoon exercises from former years.
The procession formed on Water street.
after the members Of the Grand Army
and Union Veteran Union had received
their decorations at their hall. Pease's
Cadet Band of Litchheld then escorted
90. A. I'd Reg, n. G. S. NJ. To the head
of the line and the procession moved
10 the oak Grove cemetery. where the
graves of the deceased sailors and sol
diers of the Civil War were decorated.
1t has always been the custom to use
flowers and a wreath of evergreen for
this purpose The day has now be
come so general for the decoration OF
the cemetery that but n very flowers
were obtainabie for the veterans.
The next best decoration. and per
haps the most appropriate was de-
clared To be the flag. for which the
most of them so valiantly fought. This
was used. this year. with the wreath.
The members OF 90. a acted as a
firing squad at the cemetery and tn"
graves We're decorated. The cemetery
looked very handsome for many flow
ers and much time had been used IN
decorating that place.
The services at the graves over. the
procession then moved to the common.
where the Grafton was delivered by
Hon. w. W. Stetson. For this occa +
SION. q PLATFORM Ildsl 'i'Nt't nv
the Soldiers monument and all could
hear well.
The Grafton was as strong one as
had been delivered before the post for
many years. 1t was one that mas
taken time To prepare and the delivery
OF il was excellent. owing TO his hav-
ing to catch the afternoon express. Mr.
Stetson delivered the Grafton nj the
beginning OF the exercises.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. a.
T. Ringold of the First Baptist church.
after which the monument was deco
rated with the buttonhole bouquets
| that were worn by the Grand Army
and Sons Of Veterans. The procession
then moved to Grand Army hall. where
| Ii was dismissed.
Owing to the stormy weather ana
| but few being able To attend. the Gar
diner Company L. r.. X. Of F.. did not
participate in the exercises. The
parade was formed as follows:
Squad of Police.
Peases Cadet Band. Litchfield.
| Company A. I'd Reg. Inf, y. q. $. NJ.
Sons of Veterans.
Grand Army and Union Veteran Union.
Members Of the city government. clergy
and Hon. W. W. Stetson in carriages.