The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-07-28
SElXAS MONUMENT
Unveiled and Dedicated by
Woodmen of the World.
Beautiful and impress sive Cere-
moniaI-Broadaxa and
Msple camps.
Hon M 5 Shepard OF Texarkana,
the Orator.

ton with Maple camp, the TWO iVCal
Forests of the order in this city, on Sun
day, July 81, 1901.
What loyalty to their obligations, what
devotion to their craft, what respect TO
the memory OF their departed dead must
pervade the hearts Of men who will marGh
miles to q cemetery under lowering skies
and drlping rain, and deVoutly fulfill the
promises made to the brother while living
that he should not lie In an unmarked
grave.
This is the only fraternal organization to
day, that places an imposing monument at
the grave of every deceased member. The
N onument does not cost the family any
thing, nor does it come out Of the insur-
snce. 1t lie absolutely free, and stands as
mute evidence of the high esteem in which
every true Woodman 10 held. Can a more
beautiful sentime nt pervade the heart Of
man! Can a more inspiring lesson be
a common brotherhood, teaching them that
the protection CT the home and family IL
the highest aim Of existence, second only
10 hesveni Can the mite mind conceive
of any more appropriate manner by which
to recognize the ieAlty, steadfastness and
devotion to principle, which we have the
mute evidence of in the silent monolIths
standing at the head Of every Woodman'e
gravel Thousands Of bereaVed wives,
mothers, daughters, sons and brothers
throughout the world today are protected
BY this noble order and bless the day when
woodcraft was instituted.
The order Of woodcraft lie young in
years, but giant in strength. 1t stands
today, proven Oy its own great works, to
be one of the grandest social and fratsrnal
organizations the world has ever seen.
The relatives OF the deceased sovereign
were escorted to the cemetery in carriages,
and witnessed at the grave the beautiful
ritualistlc ceremony in honor Of their
sacred dead.
Promptly al 8 O'Clock the members Of
this order met at Weodmen Hal,, on Texas
street, for the purpose Of unveIllng the
Of Sovereign A d seixSs. The
procession Was formed In front OF the hall,
with the national Gag in front, followed
BY Prof. Rettig's band. And to the
strains Of sacred music the march to the
cemetery was begun. fhe weather was'I
very threatening ard it begaE to look as II
the ceremony would have to be postponed
altogether. Rain began to descend as the
procession entered the cemetery gate, but
the sovereigns, 50 . whole, showed that
sterling Quality for which the members Of
the W y W are 30 justly famed, and
earnestly continued to do their duty
despite the inClemency of the weather.
Gathering about the tomb OF the departed
seTt reign, the members formed the wedge
ana the exercises were opened by sacred
music aud song. The consul commander
read the beautiful rilualistic tTibb te to the
departed dea0. Sovereign c d Hicks
rendered in an impressive manner, "Oh,
Why should the Spirit of Mortal be
Proud" The fprinklIng of salt, the
amounting with oil, the hbation OF water,
we're performed by the adviser lieutenant,
b Vezlan, Banker H A Bauman and Clerk
K Morton. After the band and guar.
Sette had rendered sacred selections,
sovereign Hicks, In q few appropriate
words, introduced the oraEor OF the coca
J on, the Hon Morris Shepard, Of Texar-
kama, Ark, Supreme Banker OF the order
If the Woodmen Of the World. Words OF
mortal man are inadequate TO describe the
1cwtr and pathos OF the growing oratory
Which fell from the lips OF this gated |
Toung Woodman. The beautiful senti.
nents which be expressed came from his
Ups with silyery cadence, keeping time.
Is 1t were, with the psttering rain drous |
which fell frcm the lowering skies upon
he patient sssemblaee. He showed BY |
words Of Christian proof that death is not |
he end. That there is life beyond the
omb. A glOrious never ending existence.
bat our God IL not the God OF the ce.d. |
ut the God OF the living. therefore there IL
70 death. His glorious tribute 70 the
principles OF the order, and to the memory
4 the departed sovereign, brought tear,
the eyes Of the borrowing ones. Az VIZ
~s~~~>@ - VIZ eao4ocDs opPcnA our 0eart6
Vere uplifted; we were made to feel proud
bat We were members Of the grandest azd
oolest iraternal organic alton that our
'reator has vouehsafed to man. Goo
rant that be may be spared to Us the
llotted tins Of man. Would there were
theirs like him. The gIfts Of oralorv
'hich ar so lavishlV conferred in the
ersen OF this young man will be produce
i've OF much good to our order. May be
We to reach the pinnacle Of fame which
e so richly deserves. and when God in
ils omniDotence has called him to rest.
lay Il DC said of such as him, that
ION fsms's eternal camping ground.
Their silent tents are spread;
And glory guards with solemn round.
The bivouac of the dead"
Owing to the rain the exercises were
ecessarily short, The sovereigns then
'lmed IN procession and m lrched back
the hall, conscious Of one more sacred
Ity well performed.
CONTRIBUTED.
nrr Ton& Hao