The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-05-21
FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Fitting Services will be Observed
In this City, in Honor of our
Dead Heroes.

May 80 is Memorial day, the day ded-
icated to the heroes who fought for lib
erty, who bled and died in order that
the nation might endure forever. The
custom begun many years ago of deco
rating the graves of the soldier dead
with the fresh flowers of the signiti-
cance, showing as it does that grateful
people are mindful of the sacrifices the
soldiers made on the altar of country.
THE DAYS HISTORY.
General John Murray was the origi-
nator of Memorial day in the north.
While visiting in the south in the win
ter of 1S67-6S, he noticed the touching
rites of decorating soldiers graves
with flowers by the ladies'. Being very
much impressed with this custom, he
instituted similar one at his home.
On the 18th of May, 1868, Gen. John
A. Logan, who was then commander-in-
chief of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, established Decoration day, and by
a general order, May 30tl,, 1886, was
designated as day set apart for the
purpose of paying tribute to the mem
ory of those brave men who died in de-
Tense of our country. The national en-
campment held in Washington had it in
corporated in it's rules and regulations,
May IL, 1870.
Since then, in many of the states,
May 30th has been established as a
legal holiday, and it is the universal
custom to decorate the graves of all eX-
soldiers, thus making it one of the most
patriotic days of the year, wherein all
classes unite in paying honor to our
heroic dead, and thus showing respect
for their memory and the cause for
which they fought.
In Leon in the past the day has al
ways been we'll observed. Undoubtedly
the same will be true this year. 1t is a
noteworthy fact, however, that a ten
dency is growing upon the people of the
United States to indulge in diversions
not altogether in keeping with the
spirit the fathers had in setting aside
May Both as a day on which honor and
honor alone should be given to Che
heroes, living and dead, of 81 and '65.
Be this as it may, still it cannot be said
with truth that some patriotic senti-
4 49,,
all on that day, even though they be
lolling beneath the rich foliage of the
wide spreading tree.
The plans for the commemoration of
the event in Leon are not radically diff
ferent from those of former times. There
will be the parade, the orations and the
mounds.
The ranks Of the blue coated veterans
will be somewhat thinner than
they were a year ago, it is true, but the
same enthusiasm that kindled them to
fiery deeds will be noticeable and
though their step be faltering and their
breath quick and short not one will fail
to lay his tribute of affection and mem
ory on the graves of his comrades.
PROGRAM.
All soldiers of the civil and Spanish
wars and members of the Women's Re
lief Corps are requested to meet at the
Grand Army Hall at 1920 a. M, sharp, on
Sunday, May "a, 1908, from which point
we will march in body to the M. E.
church to attend Memorial services.
Sermon by Rev. H. H. Hubbell, of the
Christian church. Bring your badges
Saturday, May 30, 1903, all soldiers OF
the Civil and Spanish wars will assemble
at the Grand Army Hall at $3.50 a. m.
The procession will form in front OF
the G. A. r. hall at 10 o'clock a. m. in
the following order:
Chief Marshal, j. w. Keller.
Martial band.
Post colors.
Leon Post No. 251 and all soldiers OF
the Civil and Spanish wars.
Women's Relief Corps.
Public schools and Sunday schools.
Citizens.
AT CEMETERY.
Funeral dirge by band.
Song.
Invocation by Rev. H. H. Hubbell.
Ritualistic ceremonies by G. A. r.
Strewing of flowers on graves.
Procession will reform and march
back to park.
AT PARK.
2. p. m. Music by the band.
Song by the choir.
Ritualistic ceremonies by the G. A. r
Song by choir.
Recitation.
Song.
Address by Rev. W. H. Ilsley.
Song, america.