Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY.
Fitting Observance Of Event
Under Favorable Weather.
Able Address by Hon. |. |. Walton
Of SkOwhegan.
Scattering Of Flowers on Waters One
of Features.

The conditions for Memorial day in
tnls city were most favorable and all
the arrangements were carried out with
no hiaurance from the weather or 9TH
er agency, and the observance of the
day was particularly fitting to the oc
caSlon. "A pleasant forenoon with warm
sun and everything favorable was an
encouraging condition to those who had
the day in charge for the Post of this
city. In the early forenoon, detach-
ments left Grand Army hall on the way
70 the cemeteries in Farmingdale, and
Libby Hill to the cemetery on High
street. AT the latter place quite cxten-
sive exercises were held. Prayer was
offered by Comrade Joseph S. Hill of
Heath Post and Robert w. Hill of DAN
forth N. MaXcy Camp, Sons of Veter-
ans, delivered an Grafton that was very
creditable to him and interesting to
those who heard it.
In the afternoon the obServanceS in
the city proper were held and were of
such nature as to show the feeling Of
the comrades of Heath Post for their
dead comrades and to inspire the pat
riotism of all who took part or listened
to the exercises.
At about 1 o'clock, the Gardiner Band
followed 10y Co. A, N. G. S. NJ marched
to Grand Army hall where Heath Post
and the Sons of Veterans We're in wait
ing to be escorted to the Johnson Opera
house where the afternoon exercises
were held. Upon arriving at this hall
and after the seating of good-sized
audience, Commander Dawson M. Dale
gave the call to order and called on Ad-
jutant A. w. McCausland, who read
General Orders No. T. from the national
headquarters. Commander Dale then
called on Rev. +. N. JOscelyn, pastor
of the Methodist Episcopal church, who
offered prayer.
His Honor Mayor Edwin L. Russell,
was next introduced as president of the
day who spoke only q few words of the
duty and privilege Of the day, and Nj
troduced Hon. l.. L. Walton of Show
hogan, as orator of the day. In his aro
ton Mr.. Walton held the closest at
tention of his audience as he spoke of
the pleasure the day brought him; of
the fitness of the exercises held of the
great thought of comrades all over the
country marching to pay tribute to
their dead comrades; of his recollection
of the happenings at the time of the
war; of with what interest he, not be-
ing old enough to join the army the pa
pers. eager to read victories for the
North; of his hope to impress on the
young people of his audience the spirit
of patriotism; of the principles for
which the soldiers fought and OF the
| respect due the man who wore the blue.
The Grafton was interspcrsed with re-
| citals of several beautiful poems writ
| ten at the time of the war and alto
gether the speaker showed marked
ability us an orator and dramatic
speaker.
At the close of the grafton the audi
ence was dismissed by Rev. Mr.. JOscc-
Ign, who gave the benedictiOn. The for
maticn of the parade was then at hand
and as soon as the Grand Army and
Sons of Veterans had ben provided with
wreathes and flowers by the ladies of
| Heath Relief Corps the line was formed
on Water street in the following order:
City Marshal Frank E. Andrews.
| Squad of Police-Ofiicers WilcS, Tozicr
Gardiner Band DR., Il I. i, simons. Direc-
Company a, National Guard Lieut.. Hor-
acc S Peacock in command.
Heath Post, No. G. G. A r.
Danforth n. MaXcy Camp. s. Of Y.
Gardiner Drum Corps.
| Carriages containing disabled comrades
and flowers
Carriage containing Mayor E: l.. Russell
and Rev. X. N Joscelyn.
Carriage containing City Clerk c. o.
Wadsworth, Aldermen Billings, Bryant
| and Blake.
Carriage containing Councimcn Law
renee. Ward. Blaisdell and Bukcr.
| Carriage containing Councilmcn 1arri-
| man, Robinson Cunningham and Wing.
| Citizens in Carriages.
| The line of march was through Wa
| ter, Vine. School, Lincoln and Dam
forth streets to Oak Grove cemetery
where, while the band was playing a
dirge, the several detachmcnts moved
to their positions. The buslcr then
| sounded taps: three vollcys were fired
| by Co. A. and the service of placing
| wreathes and flowers was done. After
the formation of the line again the pa
rade went to Monument park through
Plummer and Brunswick streets and at
the park the small bouquets worn by
the members of the Post We're placed at
| the base of the Soldiers monument.
| The line was again formed and when
the Grand Army hall was reached the
parade was dismissed.
One very pretty feature of the observ-
vance of the Gay and one which has
been in vogue only a few years was the
scattering of flowers on the waters Of
the Kenncbec river in honor of the
sailors. who lost their lives for the
Union. This was done by the ladies OF
\ Heath Relief Corps and from the bridge
| across the river at this city.
Gardiner, 10; French Stars, 7.