Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY

After being secluded behind a
bank Of clouds for several DAYS Old
Sol made a welcome appearance
Wednesday and Memorial day was
just such a day as one could wish
for.
A large crowd Of people from
neighboring districts fiocked to Ian
caster to observe the day and the
streets were crowded at noon.
The program as outlined was
carried out without a flaw and the
ceremonies were of extraordinary
interest from start to finish.
Business was practically sus-
pended in the afternoon, all join
ing in paying tribute to the noble
heroes whose lives were sacrificed
from 81 to IS.
The usual exercises took place in
the forenoon. including the decora-
ton of graves, etc. In the after
noon the ceremonies around the
monument were as in former years,
the little girls especially in their
parade being attractive.
The program at the opera house
was interesting, the music and adj
addresses by Messrs. E. NJ Lowry.
G. "A. Baxter, A. c. Morse and
David Schreinel all being COM
mendable.
The first two are reproduced here
with, being especially desired. They
pertain more particularly to the
dedication of the beautiful fountain
in the courtyard which was pur-
chased and installed by Mckinley
circle, Ladies of the G.. A; R., the
unve1ling of which was one of the
most pleasant features of the days
observance in Lancaster.
Mr.. Lowry's remarks on the
fountain were as follows:
Forty years ago there had returned into
, Grant county all the who were ever to re
turn of the $500. Men who during the
past five years had answered their country S
call to take their stand upon the field of
battle, to offer their lives, if necessary,
that the nation which had alreacy won for
itself and recognition among the nations
| of the world might not be disrupted and
dissolved.
Of this $500, who had so answered the
country's call, nearly eight hundred were
never to return. From them had been ex-
acted the extreme sacrifice and their bodies
mouldered under Southern sell.
OF those who returned many came crippled
and dismembered, and many more came
broken in health-their strength exhausted
and the seal of death already upon them.
To those who returned was extended such
welcome as could be extended by father,
mother, wife or sweetheart, and by popu-
lace filled with the estate JOY that comes
with victory in the cause of national honor;
the triumph Of right, the establishment of
liberty and the insurance of the perpetualitY
of the union.
/ The vacant spans in the returning column
suggested the propriety of some public
token of acknowledgement of the debt
which the living owed to the dead, some
fitting tribute that might be paid to the
memory of those 800 who in the vigor of
their young manhood had gwen up their
lives in a struggle for the perpetuation of
that nation which stood pledged to liberty,
| that recognized the right of every citizen
and stood for the impartial administration
of the law.
What better acknowled cement could be
made than the erection of a monument &c
| their memory. A monument on which
could be inscribed the name of each one
| from whom the awful sacrifice had been
exacted. so that for generations to come
the names of them might be read by those,
who were to enjoy the fruits of their efforts