The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-06-05
MEMORIAL DAY IN PAW PAW.
MANY Honor Nations Heroes. Fine
Address by Attorney A. Lynn
Free. Others Speak.


Address by Attorney A. Lynn
Free. Others Speak.
Memorial Day. although opening with
threatening weather, proved to be as
near perfect as could we'll be, and all the
exercises of the day were carried out ac-
cording to program.
At the appointed hour the "old boys"
of the Grand Army and the ladies OF the
w. Il. G.. assembled at the armory where,
led by the military band-Messrs. Bull
lard. Cummings and Billiard, without
whose services Memorial Day in Paw
Paw would not seem at all natural-they
marched to the river in front OF the
water works where the ladies conducted
the beautiful ceremony of strewing
flowers on the waters in memory OF the
sailors of the Nation who rest beneath
the ocean waves.
The procession, accompanied by a
large number OF citizens in carriages,
school children under the leadership OF
Col. McCabe, and others, proceeded TO
Prospect Hill, where the solemn u. A. h.
ceremony in honor of the soldier dead
was conducted around the tomb of Com
rade James Nj. Longwell, recently de-
ceased, after which flowers were strewn
on the graves OF alleoldiers there buried.
Committees of comrades had previously
visited neighboring cemeteries and per
formed a like service in remembrance of
comrades resting there.
Afternoon services at the Longwell
opera house were opened with music by
the martial band, and prayer by Rev.
Stansell.
The orator of the day was our gifted
townsman, A. Lynn Free, and seldom
have the people of this place bad an OPP
portunity of listening to more interest
log and instructive address. We hazard
nothing in saying that, as memorial
address, it has never been excelled in
Paw Paw, and seldom equaled. 1t was
able, scholarly and eloquent, and reflect
ed great credit on the speaker, and was
a source of qualification and pride to his
hearers who were almost exclusively his
neighbors and friends.
The exercises were enlivened with
both vocal and instrumental music. The
singing was by male quartette consist
ing Of Messrs. Cummings. w. G. Mosier
Spicer and Duane Mosier, and mixed
quartette. Mrs. Will Clark and Miss Mary
Cooley and Messrs. Spicer and d. Mosier
The instrumental music, aside from the
martial hand, was rendered by Mesdames
Craudall and Shaefer.
Comrade Alter recited an original
poem which was received with great
applause.
All the clergy of the town were on the
platform and remarks we're made at the
close of Mr. Frees address, Judge Des
Voignes spoke briefly. His remarks were
exceedingly interesting and were greeted
with applause. He was followed by Rev
Varney, who criticised the spirit of com
merciaism that kept business places
open during the services instead of clos
ing them i'm honor of the Nations heroic
soldiers who laid down their lives in
defense of their country and its flag
His remarks along this line were APP.
plauded TO the echo and in token oil
their appreciation, the members of the
G.. A. r., in body, attended his Sunday
morning service at the Disciple church
At the close of the exercises a vote oil
thanks was rendered to the speaker, the
musicians, to the public authorities fol
financial aiG and to all who had con
tributed in any way toward making the
day so complete a success.
The c. A. Il. and the w r. &. desir,
to publicly express their appreciation o
the kindness of Mr. Geo. w. Longwel
in placing his opera house at their servic,
without money and without price. Mr.
Longwell has shown his public spirit il
this way in years gone by, and ASSURE
the old soldiers that it shall be the sam,
in years to come.
Taken all in ell the ceremonies ant
exercises were of the most interestinl
character. It is to be hoped that futur
observances OF the day may be evel
more interesting to the people at large
1t will be but a few years; at best, unit
these occasions will rest wholly In TIA
hands of the citizens and the soldiers o
'9S The last of the old civil war veteran
will soon be mustered out" of thei
earthly service. Let Us hope they ma
all be mustered 10" with the great, vic
torious Grand Army above.