Arizona republican., 1910-05-31
EXERCISES ON THE PLAZA
Patriotic Address By Rev. Dr. R. H. Wilkinson, An Original Poem By Mrs. Otis E. Young, and Other Special Features

Though yesterday was the Warmest May day Phoenix has ever seen, the memorial services on the city hall pla- ga were attended by fully as large number of people as ever assembled here on a like occasion, but they were closely crowded under the shade of the few big trees on the west side of the plaza. During the address of Rev pr R. H. Wilkinson, the speaker of the day, the effort of outdoor speaking and the int isity of the heat proved too gra5t a drain on his strength, he ceased speaking and was helped to seat where he was quite fully restored before the services were over. Rev Robert & Fisher took his manuscript and finished the address.
 The parade from Lamson's hall oc- cured as announced, the veterans, na- tional guard and Indian band partici- pating all under the direction of Cap tain P. P. Parker. marshal of the day, who later served as chairman during the plaza exercises. Committees on Sunday placed flags over the graves of all veterans buried in the local cem- eteries and yesterday they were strewn with flowers The stand erect ed west of the city hall was enclosed in the national colors and was capa- cious enough to accommodate the vet erans present. the Woman's Relief corps, the city officials and the ladies and gentlemen participating in the program In its center stood the cenotaph, a monument wreathed with flowers by the ladies of the w. R. C., the monument on its four faces bear ing these inscriptions: Let us Have Peace" Soldier Rest" ''To the Un- known Union Dead" and Thy War fare is Done"
 After music by the band, prayer was offered by the chaplain, Rev. Robert S Fisher Miss Anna Monihon read Lincon's Gettysburg Address, there was another selection by the band and the singing of the Star Spangled Ban ner by Miss Margaret Weber, who was accompanied on the organ by Miss Bernice HOrrell.
 Next came, in order, the recital of an original poem by Mrs. Otis F. Young. the address of pr. Wilkinson and the singing of America, in which all Joined, led by the band, the cere- monies closing with benediction by pr. Wilkinson.
 The poem by Mrs Young, beauti- ful composition. afforded a touch of local color to the exercises, on the one hand sublimely fitting to the occasion, an9, on the other, a tribute to one of the nations brave defenders who played a heroic role in humble sta- ton, linked the fortune of his declining years with that of Arizona, and rests in final slumber in one of her many desert graves. The more touching for its long delay. the recognition of his valor, came in words of sweetest cadence. The poem was an after thought of a personal incident in which Mrs. Young participated and was made much more effective by her intro ductory remarks reciting the facts of its inspiration: She said
 MT Chairman and Friends-Before repeating to you the verses which our chairman has so kindly honored by calling them a poem, I would like to tell you the story of an old soldier. Several years ago while living in the little mining camp of Wenden, on the Arizona & California railroad. it fell to my lot to say few last words at the grave of a civil war veteran. His illness of cancer of the stomach had been long and full of agony, and when he came to die he had no kindred and no soldier comrade to stand by his bedside and wish him God speed on his last forced march; no clergyman to pray for his departing soul
 About half an hour before the body was taken out on the mesa for burial. the wife of one of the saloon keepers in the town came to me and said: Mrs. Young, won't you say something over old Jacky,' it don't seem right some how, just to plant him: of course we know he won't grow again"
 l told her that I had never delivered a funeral oration, but since I had al- ready gone all over the camp trying to find some gentleman who was will ing to officiate in the capacity of clergyman. and had not succeeded, would do the best I could for an old friend and an old soldier An. never again shall be in a position where I will feel any more thoroughly the in adequacy of my theology, and prom ised myself on my way to that lonely grave that if ever I had the opportuni- ty to address a meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic, I would tell them something of the life and burial of Comrade John Rerick, that he