Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-06-05
OUR SOLDIER DEAD.
Decoration Day Generally Observed
All Over the Country.
ROOSEVELT SPEAKS At ARLINGTON.
The Exercises At Jefferson Barracks, st.
LOuls-FlOral Models Cast Adrift BY
Naval Veterans-Mckinley' and
Grants TOmbs Decorated.

Washington, May 5l.-Decorallol
day was observed here yesterday per
haps more generally than ever be
fore. The announcement that Presi
dent Roosevelt would deliver the ora
ton at Arlington brought to tina
historic cemetery vast number o
people, among whom were numbered
thousands of veterans who journeyet
to the cemetery to honor the mem
DRY of their commander who hat
died in their countrys cause, or who
having survived the struggles of 1856.
and 1898, had died since. The loca
arrangements were in charge of thu
department of the Potomac, and in
cluded a parade Of all the G. A. r
and other patriotic organizations
the decoration of monuments and
graves and addresses by men promi
nent in the affairs Of the govern
ment.
At Arlington, where the principal
exercises were held, national sa-
lutte was fired at IL o'clock by the
Fourth battery, United States field
artillery. Music was rendered by the
Marine band and by the memorial
choir Upon arriving at Arlington
the procession marched to the tombs
of the unknown dead. During the
decoration of the tombs by the spe-
cial committee chosen from the diff
ferent G. A. II. organizations and
auxiliary societies, the Marine band
played. The procession then broke
up and the decoration OF graves be-
gan.
Gen. Terrence, commander-ir-chief
of the G. A. r., followed the presi-
dent with few remarks and then
the services were brought to a close
with the playing Of america" by
the band, the choir and assembly
joining, and benediction by Henry s.
Stevens, department chaplain.
Immediately after the memorial
exercises at the amphitheater the
monument erected to the memory
Of Col. Edgar O'Connor, Of the Sec
ond Wisconsin regiment, was I'M
yelled in the presence of number
of his comrades. The address of the
occasion was delivered by Repre-
sentative John J. jenkins, of Wis
consin.
At the soldiers home at Battle
ground cemetery, near the site Of
old Fort Stevens, and at St. Eliza
beths, where lie countless numbers
Of veterans who lost their reason as
a result of military service and who
were buried in the asylum grounds
and at other cemeteries, appropriate
services We're held. Secretary Shaw
delivered the grafton at battle-ground
cemetery. while his assistant secre-
tary, NJ. e. Allies, made the memorial
address at st. Elizabeths. Repre-
sentative Washington Gardener, of
New Jersey, was the principal speak
err at the National cemetery, sol
diers' home, where, too, there was
big gathering.
The Exercises at St. Louis.
st. Louis, May 31.-The graves Of
10000 soldiers were decorated in st.
Louis yesterday, despite the threat
aning weather. As usual, the prin-
,ipal exercises were held in the Ma
fional cemetery at Jefferson bar
racks, where most of the soldier dead
lie. Grand Army posts, Union Vet
arans' legion, Sons of Veterans, Span
sh war and Philippine island veter-
ans, the Woman's Relief corps,
of Veterans, the Ladies'
Union Veteran legion, the Lovejoy
Aid society and the Elks participated.
Detachments were sent to other
where the graves of sol
Hers and the monuments of promi-
lent officers were decorated.
The Commodore Foot Association
If Naval Veterans boarded the steam
ar Hill City at the foot of Locust
street and on the way to Jefferson
barracks cast adrift floral models
If the steamers Cairo and Louisville,
n memory of the sailors who lost
their lives in the civil war. Repre-
'entatiyes of the naval reserves Of
Missouri and Alton, Ill.,, participated
n the ceremony.
President McKinlsy's Tomb Decorated.
Canton, O., May 31.-Many beauti-
|ul floral offerings to be placed upon
The tomb of the late President Nc
kinley were received here yesterday,
including large crate Of choice
lowers from the white house at
Washington. Mrs. Mckinley took
he flowers to Westlawn and had
hem arranged about the tomb. The
'ormal celebration in Canton began
1T one o'clock, under the direction
If the G. A. R. The Spanish-Ameri-
AN war veterans placed special
lesign on the tomb Of the late presi-
lent. The G. A. R. placed at his tomb
he flag of the order and a cluster
If flowers taken at random from the