The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-06-03
MEMORIAL DAY
IN 0SkAL00SA
LIVES REVERED AND GRAVES
OF SOLDIERS DECORATED.
WEATHER WAS MOST PERFECT
Address Of the Day Made by James
3. Weaver, Jr, son Of the Fam
GUS General Of Iowa, and il
was a Most Patriotic One.

WOO q "Ooh IObtS SUGs
Celebration of Decoration Day in
Oskaloosa and vicinity was most
satisfactory from all viewpoints. The
weather was perfect, the crowds re-
sponded In surprising numbers and
the program was complete in detail
and carried out in faultless order
Decorations were everywhere in evi.
dence. The town displayed the col.
ors from every flag staff and flags
and bunting were to be seen upon
most residence places. Monday,
May 81, was adopted locally as the
day of celebration and business of all
kinds was at standstill Practi-
cally every business place in the city
was closed, many for all day and the
remainder for the afternoon or until
after five o'clock. And the greater
portion of the population joined in
honoring the memory of the depart
ed soldier. -.
~ At the Church. So
At the Central M. E. church, the
services of the day were most enjoy
able. The decorations were largely
opout tic anu DdCh Vi t0e pat
form and consisted of palms and the
national colors. In the opening
Rev. w. H. Perdew gave the invoca.
ton and Adjutant Robert Kissick
then read the General Orders for
Memorial Day. The address of
Commander J. S. Nichols was appro.
liiate anr effective and this was fol.
lowed by most pleasing anthem,
ITO Thee Our God, We Fly" tSmart)
by the M. Z. choir under the direc.
tion of Claire ID. Gordon
The ever popular Stars and
Stripes Forever" (Sousa) was then
rendered by the orchestra of the NJ
f. Sunday school. led by DR. John |.
Tony, and Prof. w. c. Dennis of
Penn college recited the Address of
Lincoln at Gettysburg. Music was
again rendered by the NJ. e. choir in
special selection of Onward Chris
tan Soldiers" (Shelley). and this
was followed by the inspiring rendi-
ton of the Grand National Medley
by the NJ. L. Orchestra, during which
the entire audience were brought to
their feet. whor tho ~otnS nj "rH~
Star SpanSlcd Banner" were recog.
nized
Address Of James 3, Weaver, Jr.
At this point Commander Nichols
introduced the speaker of the day.
James b. Weaver, Jr., of Des Moines,
the gifted son of the famous General
weaver of Iowa. In responding to
the introduction, Mr.. Weaver opened
his address by paying a deserved
tribute to the fine work of the choir
and orchestra in their splendid mu-
sic. After his opening remarks, the
speaker stated that in many re-
spects the war of the SOS was the
most glorious war in the history of
the world In that it was an unseltish
war and that the contention was to
uphold righteous principle and not
for territory and power. The idea
of service in all of it's sublime feat
ures was emphasized by the war and
all of its realities are now only mem
cries and recollections.
Slavery was unrighteous and God
never intended that wrong should
prevail Mr.. Weaver here drew
graphic and vivid picture of the prov
idential development and. growth OF
Abraham Lincoln from obscure and
unknown origin at that time. a back
woods boy, an ungainly country boy,
and yet led by an unseen and invinci-
Bile power to the White House. Wht-
for? That he should be leader of
his people and teach to the world
now lesson in war. Following this
vas a brief and concise review of
the war and its battles. He spoke
feelingly of the monument now on
Lookout Mountain. dedicated to the
Ipwn CnlHiprS pndnr (.nnnral unnknr
What kind of nation have we
today? One that exemplifies Liber.
ty, Freedom and Opportunity. To-
day, back of the president is a united
nation and although composed OF
various races, yet we are one in pur
pose and in destiny. We are all
Americans and we plead for the in
tereSts of humanity. All of our
wars have been unselfish wars and
he referred to Cuba, China, the Phil. |
ippines, ana even today we have no
selfish purposes in Mexico.
lowa's gift for the aid of Belgium !
vas spoken of as indicating the true |
american spirit and how it is being |
used for the benefit and blessing of |
mankind. At the close of the ad |
dress, a rising vote of thanks was |
given the speaker for his eloquent !
and timely address.
The service closed with the sing.
ing of America" led by the orehes-
ira and choir
The Parade.
Following the formal program at |
the church. the parade was formed i
for the march to Forest cemetery, |
where the ceremonial decoration of \
the resting, place of departed com. (
rades took place and was made up
in the following order: {
Police.
City Fire Department.
Iowa Brigade Band
Company +. 54th Regt.. I. N. G..
Members q. A. r., marching.
Sons OF Veterans
Spanish War Veterans.
Members q. A. r. in vehicles.
Speakers and city officials in car
risges.