The Red Cloud chief., 1910-06-02
Memorial Sunday and Dec
Grafton Day Services.

flowers. The day was calm and peace
ful, just such day as one would wish
Memorial Sunday to be. The people
of our city gathered at the appointed
time at the Opera House and listened
to the program.
One never wearies of dwelling upon
the trials and adversities, victories
and successes Of the Civil War and one
never tires of listening to the struggles
Of the Boys in Blue. They are all old
boys now and the old fire is about ex-
tinguished. They no longer harbor
feelings OF hatred and they have to a
large extent lost that alertnsss and
lookout for hidden dangers. In place
OF these feelings there seems to be in
the attitude Of all Of them u feeling of
gladness that all Is over and peace
reigns supreme.
Perhaps one reason why we enjoy
the rebearsing of deeds of valor and
heroism is because conflicts and strug-
giles are common to all people in all
circumstances. Life itself is a battle
and when we hear of the battles fought
by the old vetrans we naturally as
sociate them with the battles of our
own lives. OF course the bullets are
not lead and the expelling force is not
powder but the campaign is here,
there are charges and retreats, cap
lures and surrenders. Our conflict is
unavoidable theirs Il volunteer enter
ance into Il greater engagement.
This year Is the one most remote
from that memorable conflict and it
chronicles the most charitable year
since the surrender of Richmond.
For years the two opposing forces
have been upon the most brotherly
terms and each now credits the other
with honesty Of conviction. How fit.
ing therefore that 1t has become a
national day in which to honor valor
and greatness Of those who participat-
ed in that gigantic struggle. The
greater number of the boys in blue
and the boys in grey now repose under
the sod They are no longer agitated
by the activities of the present, their
race is won. In their honor ninety
millions of people gather yearly to
render them tribute.
The &. A. Il. the w. X. c. and many
of our citizens gathered at the opera
house and listened to the Memorial
sermon delivered by Rev. l.. Aa. llus.
song of the Christian church. The
speaker culogi2ed the labor performed
by the soldier boys and pleased the
audience with his forceful delivery.
ON Monday, Decoration Day during
the early morning it appeared as tho
the ceremonies would be interfered
with owing to the gathering clouds
but 10y ten o'clock all the foars of rain
were gone and the sun shown bright
and beautiful.
1t was an ideal day for memorial
service
About 1870 the automobiles and
carriages formed in line on Webster
street and the procession made its way
20 the silent city of the dead
Here the graves of departed com
rades and members of the Relief Corps
were decorated with flowers. lmme-
diately after this the old soldiers and
ladies of the Relief Corps formed in a
hollow square around the monument
erected to the unknown dead and per-
formed the exercises as are prescribed
by the ritual.
Right here we wish to pause and
say few remarks about the Red
Cloud cemetery. 1t has long been
known as beautiful but this day il
was more beautiful than ever. The
floral decorations all over the cemetery
were beautiful and most pleasing
The green grass had just the right
color and every thing seemed to har
monize perfectly. 1t had been said
that community can be judged as tc
civilization by its cemetery. We are
proud Of our silent city. Those of on,
loved ones who have passed into the
great beyond are still cherished and
held in remembrance as is evidenced
by the appearance of their last resting
place.
The people then repaised to the
opera house where the remainder oI
the execises were carried out. Judg,
l. w. Edison gave the invocation ant
after song by the choir Rev. M. Il
Stiffier Of the Methodist church de
livered the Decoration Day address
His effort was appreciated by all pre-
sent and he demonstrated clearly tina
he had his subject we'll in hand.
Mr.. s. Is. Kizer then read the list o
dead comrades buried in this cemetery
For the benefit of those who wer
unable to attend the exercise we re
produce their names here.
Frederic Weber, g. II. Bartlett, Sila
D NJ. Milligan, Ralph A, Kenyon, A, L