The Goodland republic., 1906-06-01
REMEMBERED HATIOR'S HEROES
SERVICES RECALLING THE DEEDS
OF THE SOLDIER DEAD.
Day Was Beautiful and Graves OF the
Veterans We're GaFIaEded
With Flowers.


Honor 10 the American soldier, living
and dead was not more gratefully be-
slowed by the people OF any other
liberty loving spot in this free coun-
try The citizens Of Goodland and
Sherman county believe with Henry
Clay that patriotism is the nOblest
public virtue And 50 Decoration day
IN this city was made conspicuous
with enthusiastic and patriotic deTo-
ton TO the sentiment that inspired its
beginning, that Of honoring the na-
tons dead Nature lifted up a most
beautiful day and seemed 70 wrap in
cheer, the more solemn services and
ministratOns to the soldiers and the
loved ones, gone from the stage OF
Flags, bunting and badges were dis
played freely the beat OF the drums,
the notes Of the dfe, and the martial
airs BY the band-aIl these patriotic
evidences linked the day with the
thought Of July 4 and Independence.
The forenoon was devoted to the
decoration OF the graves OF departed
veterans So popular and general has
become the custom throughout the
country Of observing Decoration day,
that civilians and people generally
visit the cemetery in large numbers to
remember the departed by planting
and strewing flowers upon their
graves This is both q beautiful and
refining service, and was tenderly be-
slowed by the aged the middle-aged
and young, at the pretty and carefully
kept cemetery grounds Under the
direction Of the marshall OF the day,
J. w Smith, the procession started
from Union hall at about 10 o'clock
in the forenoon. The line OF march
was headed by Thomas Butt, D. A
Long and Frank Feaster, dfer and
drummerS, and the members Of the
flag Next came the members OF the
WOman's Relief Corps in convey
anceS, all laden with a prOfusiOn Of
flowers. The civic procession follow
ed and the whole line was more than
half a mile long.
The cemetery was thrOnged with
people Flowers rested on all graves
alike. Here and there would stand a.
son or daughter, mother or father, or
some infant lost lamb now in the
bosom Of the Good Shepherd. The
graves Of all old soldiers were sought
out and on each one was placed a
wreath and flag, and at the cOnclu-
sion Of the decoration, the service was
read.
At 1880 o'clock an immense crowd
gathered at the opera house, to see
and to hear the memorials OF the day.
On the front row at the right OF the
main aisle, the grizzled survivors Of
the civil war were seated; and on the
left the ladies of the WOman's Relief
Corps The stage OF the hall was
AoHC4 anu dU6Eu VIII DOklEu
plants, and against the walls rested
the guidOn of the Relief Corps and the
furled standard OF the soldiers
Next came the program Of service,
which was as follows:
America by the band, and the
whole congregation standing and sing
ing the national hymn. Flag drill by
the children prayer by Rev p A
Brunner, rector Of the Episcopal
church,; vocal solo, Your Dad Gave
His Life for His Country by irene
Kaultiz; reading, Our COuntry's s
Heroes by J w McAllister5 song,
''Tenting in the Shadows Gray" by
grammar school Quartettes selection
by the band; reading Of Lincoln's
Gettysburg address by J H Stew
art; song, Just Before the Battle,
Mother" by choir Of mixed voices.
The address given by Rev. G. II.
Woodward OF Colorado City, formerly
pastor OF the GOOdland Methodist
church, was a strong one, indeed
When it is remembered that Rev
woodward, a veteran Of the civil war,
in his eightieth year, it is remarkable
with what vim and clarion enuncia-
ton the address was delivered He
used no notes and never hesitated for
a word. The speaker showed large
experience and observation besides the
central thread running through his
speech, that Of the survival Of the
httest in nature and among nations
and peoples. That does not mean that
! the biggest bodied" are always the
survivors, but that character and
ideals play a great part in determin-
/ ing which or who shall be most ut to
survive This must not be forgotten,
that there's a power in nature that
works for righteOJisness and that is
/ why the soldiers of this country rose
up and gave the last measure OF de-
yOtiOn and extreme sacrifice that lib
l erty might be the heritage Of all men,
| they died in defense OF a principle
and their blood purified the moral
i life Of the nation.
/ Mr.. Woodward was cheered at sew
| eral places in his address, and after
/ he had concluded, the audience sang,
| Battle Hymn Of the Republic" The
/ benedictiOn was pronounced by Rev.
/ Kuhlman, and thus has passed again
| a memorable occasion.