The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-03-25
A Notable Memorial Service.
Held In Lynn, Mass, by Gen. Lander Post
C. A. r.


a notable memorial service held by Gen.
Lander Post, G. A. R., Sunday after
noon, Feb. 2lst, to the members who the
past wear had answered their last earth
" roll call and reported to the Great
Commander of all. The paper was mis-
laid, hence the delay in giving the read
ers of The Journal an account of this
notable service.
There were 81 photographs placed at
the front of the stage in the Lynn thea
tire, where the services were held, each
one of the deceased being represented,
the little silken flag being draped over
the picture frames, which were trimmed
with ribbons and at e ach one was va
cant chair containing bouquet, to be
later given to the family or placed on the
grave in the cemetery.
Each one of these photographs will
later be placed in the Hall of Heroes"
at the Grand Army headquarters, to be
preserved for future generations as
memorial of the "Boys in Blue, who,
under the leadership of Lincoln, saved
the Union and preserved its liberties.
The exercises were of the same i'm
pressive character as always, including
the ritual service by the chaplain with
chanting responses by the Weber Male
quartet, whose singing is now such
beautiful feature on each memorial occa-
sion. The Grafton this year was deliver
ed by Rev. Addison B. Lorimer of the
First Baptist church.
The Grand Army veterans assembled
at the headquarters on Andrew street at
1.3O, where white carnations were pinned
on their blouses over the little bronze
badge, the floral committee consisting OF
President Bertha M. Putnam of Gen.
Lander Relief Corps, with the assistance
of Mrs. Eliza F. Stiles, chairman; Emma
Ward, secretary; Mariana Putnam, An
ME Snow, Susan Butterfield, Fanny Tit
comb and Lucy N. Burckes.
This committee, with other members
of the Corps, was in charge of the floral
and flag decorations of the state at the
Lynn Theatre.
To the tap of the drum heat by Veter-
an S. Edwin Dryer, in double tile, under
the command of Edward b. Billings, Post
commander, the Post marched to the
theatre, many people standing along the
sidewalks, hats being removed as the
colors passed and many remarks made of
the great change made in the numbers
during the past few years, when. instead
of the 700 or 800 veterans marching to
pay last earthly honors to the departed
comrades, there are now but 200, and
most of these show the advancing weak
ness of age.
The Grand Army Veterans were ac-
companled by delegations from Lieut..
Col. Charles R. Nudge Camp, l, Sons of
Veterans, and Gen. Sanger Camp, Is,
United Spanish War Veterans, the men,
bers of Gen. Lander Relief Corps Mar
tina Washington circle, Ladies of the G.
A. R., DIR. Esther H. Hawks tent, AZ,
Daughters of Veterans. and Jennie R.
Dix Auxiliary to the Spanish War veter-
ans, having preceded them and occupy
ing reserved seats, the front rows being
for the Grand Army.
The seating arrangements were under
the charge of special corps OF ushers
with Past Commander William Weber
as chief, assisted by Past Commander
George T. Putnam, George E. Dow,
George Burrill of Gen. Lander Post, and
Past Commanders w. w. Hall, Henry
Perrie and William Jones of Lieut.. Col.
Nudge Camp, No. l, Sons of Veterans.
The boxes had been reserved for the
municipal council and other invited
guests, but there was only one who &C.
cupied seat, Rev. Donald H. Gerrish of
ST. Paul's Methodist church.
Shortly after 2 O'Clock the curtain was
raised, showing the stage set like the
headquarters, with officers in their sta
tions, Commander Edward B. Billings
being at the front center f1anked with
his immediate staff with Rev. Mr.. Lori
mer at his right, the national colors,
with those of Massachusetts and the blue
peak of the navy being placed at sides
and rear>of the stage.
Every body in the theatre was standing
as the veterans marched in and until
Commander Billings dropped the gavel
on the marble block, and when all were
seated at signal from the commander,
the Weber Male quartet of Boston, en-
With Me-" following which the comman-
der gave a few words of welcome, call
ing attention to the photographs as be-
ing mute but eloquent evidence that the
comrades are fast passing away and it
will soon be the duty of others than the
Grand Army to perform the services.
Prayer was offered by Chaplain Steph
en- F. Sullivan, with the Lords Pray
err" chanted by the Weber Quartet as
response. Commander Billings then call
ed for the reading of the honored roll of
comrades deceased during the past year
and Adjutant John Anderson responded
by reading the same in clear voice,
each record being noted by the three
muffied rolls on the drum by Comrade S.
Edwin Dryer, who has performed the
solemn duty for over third of centu-
Fy.
The calling of the roll was interspers-
ed by selections by the Webers, one Sc
lection being 1.-The Vacant Chair" sung
in such very sweet and touching man.
ner as to force audible sobs from many
present, especially from the families of
the deceased, who occupied specially re-
served seats near the front.
In the Roll of honor we find the names
OF four who served in the navy or in
Maine regiments, as follows:
Eben K. Storer, 9Th Maine Battery and
u. S. navy; died May Is, 1914. aged II.
Eron ]. Bryant, Co. c, 5th Maine In
fantry and Co. A, LIST Maine Infantry;
died Aug. 9, 1914, age SO.
Charles M. Moore, Co. H, 1st N H.
Infantry and Co. A, 18th Maine Infan-
try, died Nov. II, 1914, aged rs.
Daniel D. C. Pillsbury, U. S. navy;
died Dec. 4, 1914, aged rs.
Following the responsive ritual that
closed the roll call, Rev. Addison B. Lor-
inner, of the First Baptist church, was
presented by the commander for the an
nual memorial Grafton, which was of a