Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-04
country. as much 50 as the men who wore

the blue.
He then read letter from Secretary Taft.
In reply to one he had written asking
whether there would be any objection on
the part Of the United States to the erec-
ton of such a memorial In Arlington, In
which the Secretary stated there would
be no objection. but that 1t would have to
conform to certain requirements as to de-
sign. inscription and other features.
IT the speaker said. L were allowed
to fix the inscription to go upon this
monument l would have engraved upon
the stone Sacred to memory of our dead
southern boys. They gave to the land
they lived in and the land they loved, as
a perpetual and saving testimonial of their
devotion to the cause of the civilization of
their race, all that God had given them
their lives -
Musician Sounds ssTaps."
At the conclusion of Mr.. Williams re-
marks, Rev. w. E. Locke. pastor of Mt.
Vernon M. Z. Church, pronounced the bene-
dietion and Taps" was sounded by Musi-
clan Pentland. The decoration of the graves
followed The ladies who formed the choral
cross, assisted by others, received supplies
of flowers from the floral tent and on each
grave placed large bunch of roses. daisies
sweet peas or some other bloom Many of
the ladies from this city and Alexandria
had brought big punches of flowers with
them. and these were also placed upon the
graves. After the decoration of the
graves, the line OF march, with the band
playing a, funeral march. was to the tomb
of the unknown Union dead. Thereon the
members of the Southern Relief Society
placed many flowers. offering from the
boys In gray to the boys in blue The larg-
est floral piece used In the ceremonies was
placed upon the tomb of the unknown dead
1t was wreath, four feet in diameter of
red and white roses, lilies of the valley and
mountain laurel. Across the top in red
letters was the word Fraternity" Above
the wreath was suspended a thick rope of
mountain laurel This wreath and rome
were from the southern societies of the
District.
From the tomb of the unknown soldiers
the procession moved to the grave of Gen
Joe wheeler on the east slope of the hill
IN front of the mansion and overlooking
band played THE Beautiful Home of Para
disc" the ladies covered the entire grave
or the former confederate leader with roses
pecnles. sweet peas. ferns and other flow
ers TWO small confederate flags were
placed among the flowers on the grave
ihus Were the ceremonies concluded
among the flowers contributed were a large
punch OF pansies sent by Mrs. Roosevelt
from the White House.
Flowers From the South.
through the kindness of the ladies of
Timmonsyille and Charleston. s. c.. and
many places in Virginia the floral com
mittee was in receipt of large donations of
southern flowers, cape jessamine. maeno-
ia, soPdHish moss and wreaths bearing the
coileuefate coiors These wreaths were
placed upon the graves of the dead from
the several southern states. Individual do
nations helped to make the floral contribu
lions the largest since the observance Gus
tom was inaugurated
kirkwood Otey Chapter. Daughters of
the Confederacy, Of Lynehburg, Va. sent
a large supply OF flowers for Gen. Wheel
err grave The receipt of these was made
possible by the kindness of the exnress
companies operating in the south In giving
the committee the privilege of free trans
portation.
Among those seated on the stand. in addi-
ton to the speakers and others participat-
ing in tho ceremonies were Mrs Heath
wife of Gen. Harry Heath; Miss Mamie
Randolph Heath, president of the South
ern Relief Society of the District; Mrs. NJ
8. Thompson, Mrs. j. NJ Hickey Mrs ]. s.
Callaghan and Mrs. Micou, daughter OF
former Secretary Herbert. Those in charge
of the ceremonies were: Chairman Joint
committee, Capt. John M Hickey: vice
chairman, Mrs. Magnus 8. Thompson; sec
rotary. Wallace Streater; treasurer Mrs.
John r. Garrison; chairman committee on
invitations, program and music, John L.
Callaghan: chairman flower committee,
Mrs. George S. Coyington; chairman COM
mittee choral cross" Mrs. Rust Smith:
T. Callaghan: chairman committee on
transportations, w. B. Horne; committee
on order. Benjamin ]. Thrift.
1t is stated that strong effort will be
made to raise the funds necessary for the
erection of the monument to the memory
of the confederate soldiers in Arlington,
and 1t Is hoped to have Ii ready for dedica-
ton by the next Memorial day. At the re-
quest of Representative Williams he was
allowed to head the list with a donation of
$50. and it is stated that large sum was
pledged for the cause yesterday.
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