The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-31
TRIBUTE TO DEAD
Memorial Day Marked With
Flowers and Speeches
MANY GRAVES VISITED
Citizens Listen TO SpeeChS
Laden With PatriOSm

Memorial day. the day set aside for the
decoration of the graves of those who died
fighting for the preservation Of the union
and the glory Of the flag, the day on
which the various cemeteries throughout
TIL country are visited by those who
wish to pay tribute to the soldier dead,
was observed with fitting ceremonies yes
terGS- 4 large number OF the stores
clostG during the forenoon and nearly all
stores and shops were closed in the af-
ternoon Despite the unfavOrabie
weather the attendance was large and
the exercises, II not the best, were among
the best ever witnessed in Wichita.
Yesterday morning the old soldiers with
their wives and hundreds of friends went
to the cemetery, where, with due rev
ereace, they strewed flowers upon the
graves Of the departed comrades. The
morning was chilly and many old soldiers
were too feeble TO brave the weather. but
those who did go were inspired with the
thoughts Of the brave deeds Of those
whom they were to honor, and the ritual
istic services were carried cut with all
the grandeur of the Grand Army The
Frisco ran special trains 10 the cemetery
70 accommodate the crowds, and both
the trains ard the street cars were
crowded. These exercises completed the
program for the forenoon, and the vet
Grams rested until the parade TO the
Auditorium at p. N.
The parade formed, at the corner Of
First and Main streets, and moved shortly
after CLOCK The line Of the parade
was as follows: South on Main street TO
Douglas, east on Douglas to ST. Francis,
north on ST. Francis to the Auditorium.
The number Of persons in line yesterday
was not nearly So large as in former
years. Many of the old soldiers are too
old to march in line and the chilly day
prevented many from joining in the
parade ard also going to the Auditorium.
Sanford's band headed the line, and di-
rectly behind them came company A,
Second regiment. Kansas National Guard,
Captain Konecke commanding. Back of
the militia walked an hundred flower
girls, each wearing a red, white and blue
sash and carrying a small flag Four
policemen marched to either side of the
children. A few of the city officials also
Joined in the parade. Members of Garfield
post followed, with The ladies of the G.
"A. r. directly behind them and in front of
til members of Eggleston post.
The parade was only two blocks hong,
with only a few hundred cid soldiers and
their wives in line Those who did join
were hale and hearty, and viii march in
line for a number Of years to come.
When the meeting in the Auditorium
was-called to order by Post Commander
T. r. Hornaday, Of the Eggleston post,
the large hall was filled TO overlooking,
despite the bad weather. After the invo-
cation, delivered by Dr. Bradt chaplain
OF the day. the opening number was the
national hymn, America sung in a
spirited way by Misses Parret and South
well, accompanied by Mrs. Bruce Grit
fifth
Victor Murdoch, congressman from
this district was the first speaker of the
day, and IN the Introduction the chairman
spoke of him proudly as a born Wichitan.
a man who had been raised and educated
in this city and who had gathered inspira-
ton as citizen and a journalist in this
community. Mr.. Murdoch spoke very
feelingly Of Memorial day, of the obliga-
concentrating of The brave deeds of the
dead heroes of the Civil war. He spoke Of
the day as being especially impressive
and solemn, and said that it should be
forever commemorated and honored by
the citizens Of the republic The address
was received with warm applause.
Mrs. Professor MetcaIf followed, speak
ing eloquently OF the martyred president.
lincoln, yividly portraying his noble
character and the great responsibility
which rested upon him at the time of the
Civil war. She told Of the reverence in
which his name is held by both the
North and the South She then described
Iincolns trip to Gettysburg when the
great battlefield was dedicated and
where, without previous preparation. he
pronounced one OF the most eloquent and
classic addresses known to American lit
erature. She repeated with very dra-
matte effect the Gettysburg address.
In the recitation, THE Boys in Blue"
by Miss Clara Appling. the large assem-
bly, was completely surprised 10y the ef-
fective and mastery manner in which she
delivered il. Miss Appling is but Il years
old, but acquitted herself in d manner
equal 10 a trained speaker.
Sanfords band followed with the sweet
strains Of Nearer, NY God, to Thee"
Judge Ashhaugh. the leading speaker Of
the day. then delivered an excellent ad-
dress, which is printed in fun below.
When Misses Parret and SouthweH rem
dered Dixie" and The Star-Spangled
Banner" the great audience fairly rose
in their seats and encored them time after
for the last time Captain Shields made a
very pretty tahleauX 10y waving the
Stars and Stripes over the heads OF the
singers
Just before the benediction Captain
Burgess arose and stated that in behalf