Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-06-04
SILENT CITY
OF THE DEAD
Memorial Day Services Largely Attend
ed and Weather Conditions Ideal

"The instructive and universal
taste of mankind selects flowers for
the expression of it's finest sympa-
thies, their beauty and fleetingness
serving to make them the most fit
ting symbol Of those delicate senti-
ments for which language seems al
most too gross a medium. .''-Hillard
Never before on Decoration day
have our local cemeteries looked
more beautiful than they did this
year. The weather conditions thus
far have been very favorable, with
plenty Of rain and sunshine and the
vegetation was luxurious perfect
With each passing year the property
owners of both cemeteries take more
interest in looking after their up-keep
and decoration. This year that has
been particularly true and many
new urns, vases, monuments are
seen scattered throughout both ceme-
teries. This disposition and interest
is commendable. A visit to both Of
our cemeteries is a pleasure and
qualification. The large concourse of
people that gathered there on Dec
oration day were delighted with the
beautiful appearance of everything.
Messrs. John Hooten, in charge Of
Forest Hill cemetery, and John
Nimptz in charge Of Calvary ceme-
terry, are both entitled to the thanks
and commendation of property own
ars for the excellent care and atten-
ton they give these places. Their
work is we'll done.
There are many more things that
can be done to aid in increasing
their beauty and in time we think
hey will come. In dry seasons they
are greatly in need of water. There
ire two ways of getting it - one
would be by extending the water
mains to them, and the other would
be a power plant to pump the water
rom the Wisconsin river or large
wells. In either case it will cost
money,
Procession Formed.
About sixty-five members OF the
Wood County Post No. %, G. A. r.,
at their Post room at
o'clock, under the command of NH.
Lynn, their commander. They were
and formed in marching Or
der two abreast headed by the Twin
City Band, followed by about forty
members of the Women's Relief
Corps. Thus they marched to the
Library building under the direction
of E. P. Arpin, Marshal of the day.
Here the line of march was increas-
ed by automobiles, teams and men,
women and children, who proceed
ed to the cemeteries, where the G.
A. R. ritual services were carried
out over the grave of Brother Henry
Osterman, the last member Of their
ranks to be buried there. Every
soldiers grave in the cemetery was
with flowers, and the
emblem of our country-the flag =
floated at the head of every grave
These services were beautiful and
At the Opera House.
The following program was carri--
ed out in the opera house at 2:30
o'clock in the presence of a large
and appreciatiye audience.
Selection by choir, under the di-
rection of Mrs / P. Witter.
Song by choir, angel of Peace" ."
Select Reading, Miss Myrtice Kitto.
Song, by High School Male Quar-
tette.
Grafton, by Rev. R. J. Locke.
Selection by choir.
Recitation, Mrs. S. V. McElroy.
Song, America, by cholr ana au-
dience, while standing.
Benediction, Rev. R. J. Locke.
The exercises were fine throughout
Most impressive and commemora--
tive of the day.
Rev. r J. Locke, pastor of the
CONGREGATIONAL church, appeared at
his best, and received many compli-
ments for the able and patriotic ad-
dress which he delivered!
Never before in the history OF
Grand Rapids, were the weather con-
ditions more favorable, and the old
soldiers more highly honored than
upon this day.