Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-30
HOW MEMORIAL DAY CAME TO BE
Three Versions of Days Custom of
 Decorating Graves of Soldiers.

l
 When early in May, 1868, General John A. Logan, then commander-in- chief of the Grand Army of the Re- public, issued the order creating d Grand Army memorial day-"and 1t was the proudest act of my life" he wrote later-he called into official be- ing what had already had many To- cal habitation though no name. How had the custom grown up? What sug- gested this a:tion to ''Ou" Jack?"
 General Chipman used to attribute | it to a Cincinnati soldier, who wrote Logan a letter describing the decora- ting of the soldiers graves in Ger many: and General John B. Murray had advanced the claim of celebra- ton held in Watertown, \. Y., in the May of 1868, as being the incentive for a national memorial day.
 This latter story has it that the body of one of the soldier sons of tie town had been brought up from the south for burial in the little church. yard at home. The grave hal been dug beneath ar apple tree, and just as the solemn rites were over and the last shovel of earth had been thrown upon the mound. from it's low-hang- ing branches came floating down hundreds of the white petals of it's blossoms, as if in honor of the boy who had laid down his life for his country. Among the friends who had gathered there were several of thote who had played their parts in that red flame of carnage that swept Pick ett's division from the field of Get tysburg. and one of these. according to General Murray. took the story to General Logan, who found in 1t the inspiration for his famous order.
 A third story told of the origin Of the day throws back to date to 1863, and whether by chance or design. to April l3 the anniversary of the fall of Fort Sumter. On that day it Is declared. the two little daughters Of Chaplain May, of the Second Mich igan infantry, then in camp near Mount Vernon. were gathering wild flowers. when in the course of their wandeTings they came suddenly upon one Of those rude and unmarked graves. which even in thise early days of the great struggle were be- ginning to appear about Washington. Josephine. the elder of the two. at once suggested that they use their blossoms to cover the bare earth. and while little Ella, aged eight. pulled out the weeds that Id begun to push up to the light through the fresh mould. violets and dandelious and daisies were laid here and there in grateful profusion.
 Happy over their work. the chii- dTen planned an excursion for the next day. when more flowers were Go be found and more graves decorated. and that evening they told their mother of 1t. Mrs May. moved by the significance of the act. as perhaps only a woman eoald have been nor cd. even then living in the very heart Of the sorrow and suffering Of var. joined them in their mission. a Mrs Evans. a Red Gross nurse. forming fourth. and within the week this lit- tie band had marked all the graves in waTking distance of the camp.
 When the nert spring came 'r0ard they repeated the custom begun st Mount Vernon. and % with each cf the years which fo1IoEe1 And sl- wsys they were noticed. always dii others join ia their labor cf love. aEd