Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-06-04
.DEAG HEROES ARE HONORED
MEMORIAL DAY IS SUITABLY OBSERVED
Cemetery Beautifully Decorated-Program
of Exercises at Opera House--lnclement
Weather Predominates.

never before III UIlo llcllOIy VI UHe
oldest resident in Grand Rapids has
there been such cool weather as pre-
vailed here on Saturday, May 30,
| Decoration Day. The weather was
i cold and cloudy and the wind blew
strongly. In spite OF the dlSagreeable
weather a large number OF people
gathered in front of the library build
ing and formed procession, headed
by the Grand Rapids band, followed
by members of the @. A. r., Relief
Corps and citizens in carriages, and
proceeded to Forest Hill cemetery
where the usual ritual service was
rendered 10y the officers in charge.
1t was very gratifying to see the
large cOncOurSe, in our Judgment at
least 5000, assembled in the cemetery
to decorate and beautify the last
resting place of beloved relatives and
friends. The interest manifested OD
every hand, we believe, was greater
than ever before. The recent organ
iZation of cemetery association and
liberal contributions by members
thereof, had been the means of
accomplishing d great deal towards
cleaning, decorating and beautlfylng
the grounds. This was not alone
confined to the Protestant cemetery,
but Calvary cemetery as we'll, both OF
which join each other in the same
locality. The profusion of cut flowers,
plants and shrubbery was greater than
ever before, showing that the interest
manifested in cemetery work, resulted
in accomplishing these changes. We
desire to commend this spirit and
hope it will be continued during the
year and for all time to come. Those
who have visited the grounds recently,
certainly are delighted with the great
improvements made. Let the good
work continue.
At the close of the services in the
cemetery many fingered to visit the
different lots while others proceeded
to their respective homes. At noon
the ladies Of the Relief Corps served
dinner at the G.. A. r. hall to a
large number of people.
At O'Clock the Opera House was
filled by an appreciative audience to
listen to the following programme:
Opening song Doxology ogy..."........Audience
lnVocatlon..... ReV. W. a. peterson
Welcome Address. Mayor Wheelan
RecitatiOn......B Benedict ArnOld...NelIle Vincent
Rea ding .............Mrs. Kate Townsend
Song Chorus Glass
Address. ................D DR.. H. w. Bolton
Song g............America.....
Benediction..".... ............Rev. B. J. H. Shaw
The program was excellent, each
number was we'll rendered and elected
it's share of the applause, We believe
that all present will join with us in
commendatiUn of the able address
delivered by DR.. II. W. Bolton, of
Madison. Never before have we
listened to an address on Decoration
Day that in every way was SO pleasing
and inspiring and ennobling as the
one delivered on this occasion. He
held his large audience spell-bound,
during his entire discourse, and every
body that heard him must have been
proud of the fact that they were
Americans, and enjoyed the privilege
of living in this country and living
during the present time. His eulogy
of the old soldier was beautiful in the
extreme and his claim that the
American soldier, mariner, artist,
author and statesman were at the
head of all nations, we believe to be
true.
With the exception of the weather
conditions, the memorial exercises
were all that anybody could wish for
and will long be remembered as among
the best Grand Rapids ever had.