The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-06-05
MEMORIAL DAY IN BEEcHWooDS
Simple and Impressive Exercises Mark
the Annual Observance at the
Famous Old Cemetery.

OD5erVeu IN Jne slmple anu reVeren'
manner in which was intended, be
should visit the Beechwoods cemetery
on the occasion Of the annual gathering
under the auspices Of the Washington
| Township Memorial Association. There
is none Of the revelry and sport so COM
mon In the towns Instead the spirit
of loyalty and patriotism reigns supreme
and any attempt To turn the occasion
into financial profit meets with sharp
rebutfl
Nature AID chance have made the
spot almost ideal for such gathering
From the four points of the compass
well.beaten roads converge in the heart
OF the richest farming community In
the county. On two of the corners at
the junction of the roads, we'll cultivated
fields extend back over the rolling hills.
On the other two corners stands a
natural grove. Half-hidden In the
shadow OF the over-arching trees nestles
little white school house. Opposite,
short distance from the road, Is a
pavilion, on this occasion hung from
root to ground with the national flag,
the brilliant red, white and blue made
still more beautiful by the setting Of
rich green foliage around and above.
Beneath the trees, on gentle slope in
front of the pavilion, long circular rows
OF seats are arranged On hill to the
north, unfortunately not visible from
the grove. lies the famous old Beech
woods cemetery, opened over eighty
years ago. In it sleep scores Of the
pioneers who found BeechwOods will
derness and made it the garden-spot it
is to-day.
Decoration day In 1907 was equal in
every respect TO the events of the years
past. The morning dawned cloudless
and fair and the blue sky and warm
sunshine prevailed throughout the day
BY ten o'clock over II thousand persons
were on the ground and continued to
arrive until noon. Besides the resi-
dents OF Beechwoods, many were
present from Falls Creek, Reynolds
vile and Brookville Carriages OF ev-
cry description, from the single seat to
the four-seated hack and tally-ho
brought the crowds. The morning ex-
ercise commenced with march to the
cemetery, In which the Falls Creek
silver cornet band took the lead. In
the procession were veterans OF the
Civil and Spanish wars followed by
pupils Of the Washington township
schools, laden with garlands of flowers,
and lastly citizens Of the community.
The scene at the cemetery is revela-
tion to the visitor. In its extent and
beauty, it surpasses many city burial
places, and one might get a very favor
able estimate Of the character of the
people of the Beechwoods from the
care they take Of, and the honor they
pay to, the memory OF their dead
Wandering through it n person might
spend hours noting the varied monu-
ments, for almost every grave is
marked, and number Of the monu-
ments are large and costly rs we'll
And II one cares to take the lime he
may learn much Of the early history
and settlers of Beechwoods by the
names, dates and Inscriptions chiseled
on the marble. On this day the beauty
Of the spot was heightened by the pro-
fusion OF flowers which decorated the
graves OF veterans and civilians buried
there.
AT noon the people returned to the
grove. Seated on tho grass In the
shade OF the tr.es. lunches were par.
taken Of. A refreshu,cnt stand along
side the school house, conducted by the
association, was opened and served
coffee, lemonade and quick lunches at
nominal price.
In the afternoon at the grove it is .
moving picture OF rural beauty and life.
Along the meeting roads for several
rods, beneath the trees and in the fields
around stand scores Of horses, picketed.
or unhitched and resting on the grass.
Here and there are groups Of farmers
and their wives talking or shaking
hands with friends. Young people
crowd around the refreshment stand or
promenade in the shade. A few with
-kodaks attempt to catch the aeeting
scene. At farm house west of the
grove is spring Of cold water clear as
crystal. Dozens walk up the path over
the intervening field TO get drink.
At the spring there is fun, for boys and
girls must have their joke and there's
little harm done II some one Is drenched.
But these are simply stray incidents
one may note as he walks around.
Strains Of music from the grove an
nouuced that the program OF the day
was being carried out. There are most