The Ordway new era., 1911-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED HERE
Citizens Of Ordway and Vicinity Unite to Pay Tribute Gray
Haired Veterans Of the Great Civil War-lnteresing
Program and Perfect Weather Marx Passing
of Solemn and Beautiful Ceremony

To the sound OF martial music aud
between reverent crowds Of citizens
who lined the streets, the few remain
ing gray. haired and bowed veterans Of
the great civil war for the preservation
of the Union marched, all over this
broad land, last Tuesday to pay their
tribute Of respect to the comrades who
fell on the battlefield of the south Or
later 10 their homes 10 the north. It
was touching sight to see these old
men, with white locks and broken
bodies. as they marched along, keep
ing step as in the days Of 81, and to
realize that when the Great Emanci-
pator called them forth to defend the
flag they we're In large measure mere
boys-but boys stout of heart aud with
the will and courage tn 20 forth and,
II needed, to give the last FULL meas
ure OF devotion" "that government OF
the people. for the people" should not
perish from the earth.
Just ffty years ago last month the
greatest civil war Of ancient or mod
ern times began, and for four years
bosom of death and destruction
scourRed the country. Millions of
lives and billions Of treasure we're
poured forth. and there was scarcely
hearthstone, north or south. where
Death did not sit in the corner a. an
unwelcome guest. But from the ira
vail and agony OF those years there has
arisen a greater and Rrander c0un.
try, one In purpose, one 10 thought
and sentiment, and reunited and
strengthened into stronger national.
ism under the same starry banner the
veterans followed from Gettysburg TO
New Orleans and from the Atlantic
to the valley Of the Mississippi.
The weather here Tuesday was
beautiful, and IT seemed that nature
: rad conspircd to give the veterans q
day that was all their hearts could
desire. The day was warm and clear
and the program was carried out prac-
tically On time. The procession
formed on Denver boulevard and
Third street and marched to the school
house. where the school children.
under the direction Of Rev. q. H.
Inman, pastor Of the Methodist
church, fell into line. Then they
marched south on Denver boulevard
to Depot park, where the exercises Of
the day were observed.
The order OF parade was as follows:
Ordway Band
Firing Squad
Women's Relief Corps
School Children
Wilmer Blackmar Post. q. A. X.
Citizens In Automobiles
Citizens In Carriages
Upon arriving at the park the Grand
Army post held its beautiful ritual
services at the monument to the "Un-
known Dead, which had been erected
just west OF the speakers stand. This
service was listened to reverently and
silently by the audience and was a
very touching feature.
The audience was then called to
order by Ernest w. Downey, chair
man of the day, and after music by
the Ordway band he introduced Rev.
@. H. Inman, who delivered the invo-
cation. After another selection by
the band, the choir and orchestra rem
dered that old wartime favorite,
"Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp
Ground" In a very feeling manner.
Rev. G. F. Iwig of the Evangelical
church was the first speaker on the
program and made a very much ap.
preciated talk.
The orator of the day, Judge H. M.
Minor OF Rocky Ford, was introduced
and delivered an address replete with
patriotism and sound and logical ad.
vice to the present and rising gener-
atious on the duty we owe not only to
the veterans who made such heroic
sacrifices in the past, but to the great
country and the sacred cause for
which they so freely gave their lives.
A mere resume OF the speech would
not do justice to the orator and we
therefore refrain from such remarks.
After a selection by the band the
choir rendered 1.-The Vacant Chair"
that stirring reminder OF war times,
and the band again favored the audi
ence before they adjourned for dinner.
At 1870 p. m. the Grand Army post