Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-31
.HONORED THE DEAD.
Impressive Service Performed
Ii Capital City, Yesterday.
Large Number Witness Procession
and Exercises at Monument,
eloquent Grafton BY Mr.. Richborn. In Even.
Jag. and Other Exercises.

| attracted large numbers of people and
were fully up to the standard of years
past.
| The cemeteries We're decorated in a
beautiful manner. Not only the graves
! OF dead veterans were adorned with
tributes of honor and love but flowers
and wreatheS We're placed on very
many other lots. Each year sees the
/ number of Civil War veterans growing
less but the heartfelt and general ex-
preston of appreciation for their
deeds in the service of our country
does not wane but rather grows the
stronger. Not only We're yesterdays
exercises for the glory of the departed
| heroes but Also in honor of the living,
who fought and bled for Il principle.
The rain fell in the forenoon and a
| gloomy afternoon was in prospect. The
graves of soldiers and sailors in the
| different cemeteries of the city were
decorated by attachments of Seth Will
| liams Post. Shortly after Leo +. NJ. the
| line of procession began to form on
| Water street under the direction of
Chief Marshal Daniel w. Emery.
| Forty-nine veterans turned out in
spite of the mud and threatening sky
All of them did not march. some riding
in carriages because of their intirmities.
At last years exercises the number of
soldiers in the procession was a few
less. At the head of the procession was
Il platoon of policemen in full dress
uniform. They made a splendid appear
ance as. he2 6ed by City Marshal Breen
and Deputy ,41arshal Hanks. they led
! the line.
Following the police came D. W.
Emery, marshal of the day. Col. Elliot
c. Dill. chief of staff. n. 7. Folsom.
assistant adjutant general. and Aids
Ernest w. Emery and Ralph w. Smith
And then came the Lafayette Band,
Fl. l.. Strickland. director. The music
| of the band was of the best quality and
| showed the results of the large amount
Of practice the players have put into
| the prepare ton for the day. 60. f. n.
| G. s. NJ. turned out in full force and
made a fine impression. The members
Of Seth Williams Post, No. -. G.. A. r..
came next in the line. Some of the vet
Grams were a little uneven in gait. due
/ to intirmitieS and age. but they march,
ed with the regularity of regulars as
the band played and the drum sounded.
| Soldiers in carriages came next and
We're followed by a carriage containing
| the orator of the day. Charles :. HIGH
horn, Governor John +. Hill and Mayor
| Lendall Titcomb. \ number of car
riages with citizens within brought up
the rear.
| The procession marched up Water
| styeet to Bridge street. up Bridge to
| State street down to Monument square
where exercises of q most impressive
nature We're performed. The invocation
was given by Rev. Mr.. Beale. The La
Fayette Band played plaintive dirge
and on the monument was placed a
beautiful floral insignia of the Grand
Army of the Republic, together with a
magnificent floral wreath and other
| flowers The Memorial service was read
by Post Commander Ethel II. Jones.
| The chaplain. George Gay, offered
PRAYER At the conclusion Of the bene-
diction by Rev. Mr. Beale. taps We're
sounded and the line reformed and
marched to Water street and dis
banded.
The procession and the exercises were
witnessed by large numbers of inter-
ested spectators.
i beautiful and unique ceremony,
something which was never be-
fore known to take place In
| Augusta. occurred on the stem
boat wharf. yesterday afternoon.
In the presence of a number of Veter-
ans. Mrs. NJ. w. Muir and Mrs. d. w.
Emery launched "a pretty wreath on
the waters of the kennebec The
wreath was placed on a piece of board
and on it was little flag. paper
with the following inscription was
placed on the craft:
Augusta. Me-. May 80, 1901.
eve set this little wreath afioat on
it's journey to the sea. on this Memorla
day in memory of those who died on
the sea in defence of our GLORIOUS
country and the dear old flag.
MRS NJ. w. MUIR.
MRS. d. w. EMERY.
The custom of scattering flowers or
the water has been observed in some
parts of the country. principally in the
West. but it is pra ctically unknown IN
Maine. 1t is beautiful ceremony ina
might well become q regular custom
as p touching tribute of love for oul
dead heroes.
Meonian hall was well filled, las
evening, nearly all the seats penn
taken and many people standing IN I'M
rear of the hall and balconies. h'
exercises proved of great interest Ih'
selections by the Lafayette Band "er'
loudly applauded showing the appre
citation Of the audience for Its goo'
work
on the stage We're seated Mayo
Lendall Titcomb. who presided oFe
the exercises of the evening, CharieS :
Hichborn. orator of the day, t.tnei II
Jones. commander of Seth Wlilaf'
Post. Past Commander Lewis Seipil, :
d. w. Emery N. T. Folsom. hon. d, =
Manley. Samuel c. Manley ana ne'
w. F. Livingston.
The great feature of the evenlns. W."
the ora ton by Charles s. Hlchpo, :
IF was full of patriotism ana NV.
thought and was delivered WIN :,
eloouence and force that clainleu -.
attention of the audience tnrouS