Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-31

OfCl OHS SdI III. i nc udTCn 10 Tile
square was in the order as follows:
Marshall of the Day NJ. S. Pratt.
The City Band.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Womans Relief Corps.
FOreSters and Catholic Knights.
Equitable Fraternal Union.
Carpenters Union.
Public School Children.
Catholic school children
On the city square the riggs which
had been provided for the old soldiers
and the ladies were brought into SER
vice, and practically the same order of
march was preserved, those on foot
keeping pace with those in the riggs,
until the cemetery was reached.
At the cemetery the ritualiStic
service of the G. A. B. was read and the
graves of the departed comrades
decorated. After the q. A. r, ceremony
the old soldiers and W. r, G. marched
to the road and opening their ranks,
stood at attention until the FOreSterS
and Catholic Knights filed through,
when they fell in behind and marched
with them to Calvery cemetery where
these orders, lead by FIR, HugenToth,
decorated the graves of their departed.
The ceremonies at both cemeteries
were very impressive, and were wit
messed by fully 1900 people. In fact. it
was said by many of the old residents
of this city that there never was a
time in their memory when such great
interest in the Decoration day services
was manifest on the part Of the citizens
There were fully 700 marcherS in
line. About 200 members Of the civic
societies, and nearly 500 school children
includingi the public and Catholic
schools.
After the ceremony at the Gene
teries, the members of the 8. A. R..
and the w, r. G. marched to the
bridge, where amid the waving of the
stars and stripes, and the strains Of
columbia the Gem of the Ocean,"
flowers were StreWn on the river in
honor and commemorate on of the boys
in blue who gave their lives for thei r
country, while doing naval duty. This
was new departure form the usual
custom of observance in this city
although it isquite generally practiced,
in the larger cities.
Afternoon Service at Opera house.
The opera house was filled to over
flowing when the ritulistic service of
the G.. A. r. was read in opening the
afternoon meeting. Lincoln's Gettys-
burg address was read, after which Rev
Dean lead in prayer. The music
which was rendered by four ladies and
two gentlemen, was under the direction
of L A. Taylor. Miss Della Stoddard
recitated a piece entitled 'NellieS
Prayer, and Grace Goggins one en-
titled "For Grand Pas Sake. Both
of these selections were literally ap-
plauded by the large audience. The
orator of the day was Attorney Louis
A, Bauman and his address was well
given and enthusiastically received
Mr.. Bauman's manner was pleasing
and many words of commentator
were heard. In part the orator spoke
as follows:
son a beautiful May Day more
than thirty years ago, there gathered
beneath the oVerhanging boughS OF
fruit-bearing tree, beside an open
grave, the friends and kinSmen Of one
who, though mere boy, had smelled
the smoke of battle, felt the sting of
rebel lead and won for himself the
golden crown Of martyrdom in the
military service of his country. There
were also gathered there few of his
old companions in arms-bronzed veter-
Of the dreadful carnage
of Malvern Hill and the awful Slaugh-
ter of Gettysburg, who had come to
drop tear at comrades grave and
breathe prayer for the safety of his
soul. Just as the solemn rites of
burial were over and the last shovel
full Of earth had been heaped upon his
last resting place, Gods breath shook
the overhanging boughs and sweet and
beautiful apple blossoms came gently
down and decorated that young hero's
grave; and ever since, when the plea
SAINT days and fragrant flowers of
spring come, the loyal people of this
country gladly follow the example
Heaven so graciously set and see to it
that no veterans grave is neglected."
From early dawn when the sun first
kissed the shores of Maine, until twi-
light falls upon far away California,
the people of the United States COM
this day of the year. All
over the land, from the lakes to the
gulf, from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
wherever there is grave of boy in
blue, a grateful people will cover his
resting place with flowers and place
upon it the emblem for which he
fought while living, the American
flag.
This custom is so fitting, so proper,
and SO beautiful that this day is pre-
eminently the American National
Holiday. We celebrate our Fourth of
July, but this day, to my mind, does
not make the impression as this
Memorial Day does. 1t does not evoke
the memories or teach the lessons this
day does. We know of it only as we
study history, and it is a day of past
century; it is too far off. But today
we have with US survivors of that
great confiict-Iiving testimonials of
the day we celebrate. From their
own lips we can hear the stories of
their battles, of their privations, of
their courage. and Of their suffering.
VI