The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-15

Observation-Disclosures Was So Cold
That People Had to Wear Wraps.
The people of Wilmington are patri-
otto if anything md on occasions dur
ing the year when an opportunity
affords itself for them to show nov
they feel in regard to matters of this
kind they make it very evident that in
their opinion the day set apart to pay
honor to departed heroes should not
be passed lightly. For more than a
century has this been a historic city
and it may be that this is one reason
why the people of Wilmington are
other North Carolina town.
Yesterday was Memorial Day and in
Wilmington the day was observed al
most like it was Sunday. The streets
We're quiet and deserted and most of
the stores were closed and those that
remained open had but few customers.
1t was the day the people of North
Carolina set apart to honor the men,
DRY OF those who gave their life for
their native lane and IN a cause thew
believed to be right.
Early in the morning people could be
seen vending their way to Oakdale
cemetery with their arms laden with
flowers which were to be placed upon
a grave of some loved one. All day
"Slhs continued and on hundreds of
= graves in beautiful Oakdale were flow
ers. Perhaps it was the grave of one
who breathed his last on the battle
field or again some loved one who but
a few brief months or weeks ago de-
parted this life forever. And on the
graves of the confederate dead had
been placed laurels wreaths.
Gathered around the lot where is the
monument to the confederate lead
were hundreds of people to witness
the exercises. The day was cool and
many wore wraps but the weather did
not keep the crowd away and the
number present was much larger than
on the previous year. Every part of
h programme was carried out Just as
arranged.
The veterans and Daughters of the
Confederacy met at the lodge and the
military formed on the hill just out
side OF the cemetery. A band COM
posed of we'll known musicians furnish
ed the music for the occasion and this
led the military. First came the Will
mington Light Infantry, then the
Naval Reserves, Boys Brigade and
Junior Brigade. These formed on
either side of the main walk leading
from tho nntr0ron fN - oo~E051,1Ao
monument. The veterans led by
Chief Marshall Hamme then joined in
the line and after them came the
Daughters of the Co~nfederacy and the
members of the childrens' chapter.
The veterans also formed on each side
of the walk and the ladies proceeded to
the confederate lot.
The programme was carried out as
previously announced. There was
music by the orchestra and also by a
male quartette.
The opening prayer was offered by
Rev. w. A. Snyder, paster of st. Pauls
Lutheran church. Chief Marshall
Hamme was master of ceremonies and
presented the speaker, Hon. Brooke G..
Empie. The large assemglage of peo-
pie seemed to enjoy very much the ex-
cellent address made by Mr.. Empie
and time and again there were out
bursts of applause. He spoke in a
clear o of voice and the crowd eX-
perienced no difficulty in hearing him.
General Nets presented the crosses
of honor but of the names read out
only two veterans responded. Five
names were read out, J. Nj. Bishop, J.
w. Gray, J. NJ. Rogers, James A.
Smith and D. C. Littleton. Of this
number J. w. Gray and D. C. Littleton
alone responded.
After the exercises a salute was
fired by the military and the crowd
then dispersed.
Composing the orchestra were: Cor
nets, J.. T. Martin, leader; James E.
.Willson and E. C. Craft; clarinet, P. O.
E~schenback; sa%Xaphone, W. Scott
Decker; altos, L. G. Jordan, S. E. Sell
1ers and E. II. Munson; slide from
bones. Fred Dock, Robert H. Morris;
tuba. j. A. Fettel; snare drum, W. l..
Burkheimer; bass drum, r. c. Banks.
Male quartette was composed of Messrs
G. E. Vale, first tenor; Greene Fenley,
second tenor; w. G. w. Kraft, first
bass; A. S. Holden, second bass, with
Mr.. E. H. Munson as accompanist.
MIR. EMPIE'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Empie spoke as follows:
A trinity of voices calls us together
today. The voice of North Carolina, by
statutory enactment, has declared this
day a holiday in perpetual memory OF
the sons who gave their life in her be-
half; the voice of the women of the
south, through their memorial organi-
cations, bids US turn aside from our
daily vocations, and with glowing
hearts and uplifted heads call to mind
the deeds of our fathers and ponder