The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-05-31
TRIBUTE PAID TO WARRIORS.

Beautiful Memorial Day Filled With
Appropriate Exercises-Fine
Address by Hon. Jesse
Parmeter.
All Owosso Thursday paid tribute
to the soldiers and sailors who lost
their lives during the Civil War, the
occasion being the forty-fourth Me-
mortal Day. The usual ceremonies,
simple but impressive, called to the
minds of all citizens, the heroism and
the martyrdom of so many of the
brave sons of the republic. The
bright sunshine served to warm the
somewhat cool atmosphere, but the
weather conditions brought out more
people than warm day might have
attracted.
STOPPED and bearded veterans with
others still erect, but with ranks
thinned by death since their last ap-
pearance on similar occasion,
marched with step that would have
done credit to men of half their years
The Spanish war veterans, with one
of their members, Major M. j. Phil
lips, marshal of the day, were also
on hand to do honor to their prede-
cessors in the ranks of the country's
defenders. The ladies of the w. r.
G. were taken to the cemetery in
buses.
Promptly at 1880 o'clock Mayor
George Clark, presiding at the
gathering at the l. o. o. F. Temple,
formerly the armory, called those
present to order. The Greater Owos-
SO band, making it's first public ap-
pearanoe, rendered appropriate mu-
sic to open the program, Rev. Thos.
fowler offered prayer in which the
asaemblage joined in the spirit and
with a respectful bowling of the head.
c. c. Duff, himself veteran of the
war, sang with sweet and touching
effect, WRAP the Flag Around Me
Boys" Mr.. Duff's ability as sing
er is too we'll known to require any
description here, and needless to say
his rendering of the old song reach
the hearts of everyone present.
Governor Osborn's proclamation,
officially naming Thursday, May 30.
as Memorial Day, was read by Mrs.
Agnes Wiley. Mrs. S. w. Sadler,
president of the Women's Relief
Corps, read Commander-in-Chief
John A. Logan s Order No. II, issued
May S, 1868, establishing the beauti-
full custom of observance of a Me-
mortal Day. A quartet rendered ap-
propr1ate and pleasing vocal music.
President Lincoln's Gettysburg ad-
dress, which has come to be mas
terpiece throughout the length and
breadth of the land, was read by
Principal M. G. Jones of the high
school.
The principal address of the day,
by j. Parmenter of Indiana, former
Owosso man, which is printed in part
herewith, followed. Mr.. Parmenter
was given generous applause as hs
rose to speak and was loudly cheer
ed when he had completed his elo--
quent and patriotic address.
After the audience had suns
America" Rev. Carlos H. Hanks
pronounced the benediction, and the
large assemblage withdrew from the
hall In an orderly manner.
Outside the procession was formed
with dispatch, and proceeding to
Washington street, started on the
way to the cemetery. First came
handsome and attractive new khaki
uniforms, and rendering appropriate
music in a manner par excellence
Then followed delegations from va
rious civic societies.
Capt. Frank Evans and his stall
wart company of national guardsmen
followed, presenting striking con
: trast to the grizzled veterans OF the
Civil war, who followed along with Q
more halting step. Next came the
Women's Relief Corps in severa
conveyances, and then Ions
procession of young school children
thoroughly imbued with the spirit o.
the occasion, and impressed with the
beautiful custom of doing honor tt
the defenders of their country.
At the South Washington stree
bridge, the procession was masset
for a few moments, while flower
were strewn on the water ceremon.
designed to honor the sailors wh'
lost their lives in mortal conflict.
The procession was quickly re
formed and the march to the cemete
ry continued. There in the beauti
full shade of the burying ground, tn
soldiers, young and old, the schoo
children and the women of the w. r
c. decorated the graves of the mel
whom they had known and of thos
whom many had never seen in life
but who died among strangers, thei
memory to be honored as long as tn
spark of patriotism fingers in tn
breasts of Americans.
Before the Soldiers monument
near to the center of the cemetery
the old soldiers conducted their me
mortal service, while the large crow
stood with heads barred and bowed !
reverence.
Company II fired the salute {