Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1904-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
THE LOCAL G.. A. r., MILITIA
AND CIVILIANS DECORATED
GRAVES AND HELD SERVICES
OVER NATIONS DEAD,


Monday was Memorial day and
business throughout the city was for
the most Of the day suspended in re-
spect to the nations heroes, both
living and dead.
At nine forty-tiye in the morning
assembly was sounded in front OF the
city hall and some fifty or more..carri-
ages gathered in response to the call
to 60 to the cemetery there to de-
corate the graves of the deceased
soldiers and relatives passed from a
private life.
The line Of carriages that stretched
out along Fifth avenue enroute to
the cemetery was a long one and
awakened and renewed the happy
thought that honor and respect for
the preseryers Of the Union was still
strong within the breasts of the
living.
Arriving at the Highland Home
cemetery considerable time was
devoted to the decoration Of the
graves of the departed. Here lay the
earthly reamins of an old soldier and
the living veterans made to wave
again over the little mound the
) colors he braved the southern guns
to protect, and wreathes and flowers
were laid with loving respect on his
grave. Here again, in another little
plot knelt a mother whose loving
hands prompted by the undying
mother love, alone and with silent
tear, bestrewed Gods beauties DER
the last resting place Of a beloved
and mourned son or daughter while
the Thousand memories of former
years came ebbing back anew.
The scene throughout the cemetery
during the decoration cf the graves
was an impressive one and moved
sympathetic tear in many though
uninIe1ested there, whose thoughts
Travelled afar to loved ones living, to
others resting and mayhap in an un.
decorated and untrimmed abode.
Assembly was again sounded from
the center of the cemetery and the
impressive service of the G. "A. r.,
in tribute to the unknown dead was
held. Rev. Davis of the Presbyter
ian church delivered the address
which vas full of honor and tribute
to the nations dead, Of retrospec-
tive notes and their bearing on the
present and OF warning to look well
to the future saying "that all is not
yet accomplished. A special choir
Mesdames Miller, Cook and Messrs,
Shien, Farnesworth and Davis rend-
cred appropriate music and an es-
pecially composed song dedicated to
the local post G. A. r., set to the
air of "My Old Kentucky Home"
as written by Rev. Davis. was i'm
pressively rendered.
The sun shines bright on this Decoration Day;
Around us fresh tokens Of Spring;
The bluffs are green and the valleys all are cav,
While the birds, mating all. do blithely sing,
(.
n cheer.
!. All merry, all hopeful and glad.
Fair garlands weave and with flowers and flag
so dear,
Come to crown the mounds Of soldiers dead.
Chorus.
Weep nomore, old soldier; Oh weep no more
today;
For your hardships past or for wounds or
sickness low,
Or for comrades sleeping here or away.
Obedient all to the call of Father Abe,
All quickly, all eager, all strong:
True patriots lived and true patriots they died,
And have won just praises and our song.
Full we'll they suffered in Southland at the front,
In battle, in trenches, in camp;
But never more will they fight Secession's
brunt,
And States rights will nevermore arise.
Chorus.
Rest today old soldier! This Decoration Day!
We will sing our song for your comfort and
renown,
In your honor and our Unions alway.
You'll hear no more either bugle call or drum,
From tiresides, from villages or farms
You'll march no more at the breaking Of the
dawn,
Never more you'll shoulder any arms.
But while you live your valor brave be sung,
In city, in country by all;
You saved our land and oppression all unstrung,
Because you marched to serve at Ltncoln's
call.
Too soon your bed may be found among these
graves,
or In meadow, or hill, or the shore;
t~3l ,, t1,o~
braves;
And the rOll-call never answer more.
But while you stand now where comrads dear
have stood,
Be cheerful, be hopeful, be gay;
The old flag waves and our Nations strong and
good,
So be glad on Decoration Day.
Columbia's flag or nation's vet'rans too.
Todiy We sing their praise.
That grand old flag with its stripes and ~ OF