The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-06-04
Soldiers Graves Decorated
Exercises in Cemeteries.
Impressive Exercises In Coburn Hall All
Grafton

J
the lib graves rcquirirg decoration.
This part Of the program and tn q, CO.
ration Of coburn Hal are alea,, i.
charge Of these ladies' ard they iuvaria-
bly, do the work promptly and with
artistic skill
The procession was made up under
command Of Gomrade F. II. Wing. con
prising the following organizations:
Maecabee Band, c. A. Rogers, ieadcs;
Co. Z. National Guard., okoW hega1'
contingent Of The States military forces.
Capt. F. C. Dunlap; Russell Post No 81,
6. A. Il. and other veterans, Henry p
Cannon, commander; Wldes CAM
Sons of Veterans. Milford Withee, cat-
tain; Veterans of the Spanish Wa.
Lieutenant Edward Spear COMMANDING F.:
the speaker OF the day, disabled veteran
and citizens in carriages.
The line of march was to North GENE
terry prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. "
II. Spencer and the graves of soldiers
were decorated, thence the column NOV
ed to south cemetery where ritual ex-
ercises were held at the soldiers mouu-
ment participated in by officers of the
Post, and the graves in th.t cemetery
were decorated.
The procession returned from the
South cemetery and with citizens as
sembled in Coburn Han at $50 O'CLOCK
where the following order of exercises
was observed, Henry P. Cannon, Posi-
Commander, presiding:
Music Band
Prayer. .......Rev. d. A. Ball
Singing. ............ Pupils Of Garfield School
Under direction of E. {. Taylor, Miss
Clara Vosmus, accompanist.
Reading of Orders. ...H. J. Varney
Reading of Roll of Honor. II. j. Yarney
Reading of Lincon's Gettysburg Address,
......... .....................Fra Walker
Brief Address. Past Commander F. II Wing
Response ... .......... ......S. w. Gou d Esq.
Singing OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ...... Quartette
Mrs. f. o. Sawyer, Mrs. Mabel Bragg,
Mr.. Albert Watson, Mr.. L. {. Taylor,
Memorial Address. .........
."......Rev. c. A Southland, Watervine
Music ........'.... ...'',...... .,,..,#.... Band
Singing of America........ ..........AudIence
Benediction. .,.......Rev. II. F. Huse
The audience was large and attentive,
the exercises were Impressive and the
music appropriate and worthy the i'm
portant occasion.
The Grafton by Rev. c. A. Southland, a
brave soldier, WAS intensely interesting
and enthusiastically patriotic. We give
a brief epitome Thereof, rs follows:
If were to name a topic it would be 'Our
Country. Its Past, Its resent, Its Future
| do not intend to touch upon the issues
which have CONCERNED the nation since its
beginning but only to mention a few
thoughts of the war of lS6l-'65. \ large per
cent know only by history what war means.
" are getting away from old landmarks.
We ought not. We can never forget the
war or its consequences.
Today we have placed our tribute on the
graves of northern soldiers A month ago
the people of the south held similar services
for their departed heroes. We cannot for
get that the soc. 600 southern boys and the
in that struggle formed important factors in
the contest. The men on both sides were
honest, they thought they were right. Those
who went forth were loyal, patriotic, true.
While ii is not my intention to wave the
bloody shirt or re.awaken old feeling, we can
never forget the scenes into which we were
plunged. To know war by history, and to
be part of it, are two different things. The
country was rent asunder; it had north and
a south; on the one side hearts beating for
union, and on the other for dissolu ion.
The stirring scenes Of those days are re. en-
acted today in the minds cf those who wit
messed them.
The heroes Of that awful struggle were not
all at the front. At times it took more
courage to remain at home. Mothers, wives
and sweethearts showed true heroism and
true womanhood. Thank God for the noble
women banded together in the Woman S
Relief Corps
Who we're the brave defenders Of the
country? | would not name any single man.
We have our Grant, our Lincoln, our Nc
| kinley, our Hancock our Sherman, our
Sheridan. They were loyal leaders. God
/ forbid that we should take star from their
straps But had it not been for the boys in
blue, our country never had been saved. At
times We thought the orders lolly--a few
thoughts might have saved thousands of lives
but we were not in authority. Commands
were to be obeyed. The rank and file were
true and loyal men, ready To take any place
offered.
At times there were humorous Incidents
laughter even in the shadow Of death other
wise we should all have diel But no man