Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-12-05
Impressive Memorial Exercises We're
Held Sunday Afternoon in Cul-
ver'S Hall.
GRAFTON BY Il. l. WILSON
Eloquent Young Billings Attorney
Held Audience SpeIlbound Thro-
uQhout His Talk.

In accordance with an order of the
Grand Lodge Of Elks, now universal
ly observed, the Lewistown lodge Of
of Elks last Sunday afternoon met in
the oprea house for tn purpose of con-
Quoting memorial services in solemn
respect to the memory Of those Of the
order who have passed away. The hall
was beautifully decorated for the oc-
casion, the Elk colors predominating
in the decorative effect, and crowd
which comfortably filled the house
was present when the Elks took their
places on the stage.
Alter an orchestra selection, the
lodge went through with the solemnly
impressive opening ceremonies, Ex-
alted Ruler Hugh Wagner presiding
A quartet composing Mrs. W. w.
White, Miss Pauline Froembling and
Messrs. Oswald Lehman and George
H. Beasley next sang Lead Kindly
Light in a most beautiful manner.
The invocation was pronounced by the
Rev. H. G. Wakefield Of the Episcopal
church.
H. M. Rae made his first appear
ance before a Lewistown audience as
a soloist, singing "The Way Of Peace"
in a highly pleasing manner. Mr.. Rae
has a splendid tenor voice and the
piece which he had selected was we'll
adapted for his voice and the occa-
son. Mrs. A. M. Plum accompanied
HIM.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Rae's solo,
Mr.. Wagner introduced the orator of
the day, H. L. Wilson of Billings Mr..
Wilson is a young man and on the
stage looked, perhaps, even younger
than he really is but he delivered one
of the most beautiful addresses ever
heard in this city on any occasion
His oration showed careful prepara-
ton and was delivered with reference
to notes and with force which held
the most rapt attention of the entire
audience from start to finish. The
Democrat takes pleasure in giving be-
low a portion of Mr.. Wilson's address.
Another selection from Prof. Races
orchestra followed the address, after
which the quartet once more appeared
and rendered Nearer My God to
Thee The quartet music was about
the best ever heard in this city and
was under the direction of Mr.. George
Beasley, editor of the Inland Empire.
The benediction followed this quar-
tet selection. Following are excerps
from the brilliant grafton delivered by
Mr. Wilson:
Exalted Ruler, Brother Elks, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
BY way of prefacing my remarks
wish to say that I am indeed glad to
make this my first acquaintance with
your people under the circumstances
which surround me today. Seldom
is it given to one on the occasion Of
his initial visit to a sister city and
sister lodge to be so closely identified
with the time-honored exercises of a
day whose incidents, from their very
nature. must leave with him lasting
and a tender recollection.
A service for the dead is very
sweet and solemn ceremony, and one
whose impressions must be vivid and
enduring; and amid the hallowed
scenes which marks the observance of
this Elks' Memorial Day he would, it
seems to me, be less than human who
did not CLEAN therefrom some pleas
ant remembrance. some subtle senti-
ment some tender token, of these
with whom he worshiped at memory's
sacred shrine.
In paying homage to the dead we
re-enforce the ties that bind the liv-
ing, and I shall ever carry with me
an indefinable feeling that in some
way, somehow, have common IN
terest with the good people of Lewis
town for having been accorded the
privilege of assisting today in a meas
ure in keeping green the memory of
him whose name to me is strange, who
was to me personally unknown, but
whose cause is mine, whose creed
share, and for whom I can sincerely
mourn as brothers in the great order
of Elks.
For nowhere is the broad democracy
of our fraternal family more strongly
exemplified than in the honoring of it's
dead. The Elks are famous for their
utter disregard for staid conventions
in making acquaintances among their
members. and for the whole-souled
brotherhood and comradeship which
prevails among them. The member
from a distant lodge is not asked as
to his station or his antecedents: there