Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-06-05
MEMORIAL AND DECORATION DAY
SERVICES

SERVICES
Despite forbidden weather condi-
tions Memorial Sunday and Decora-
tion day were ittingly observed by
the people of Wa-Keeney and vicinity
last Sunday and Monday. Although
it was raining at the time large
congregation gathered at the court
room at eleven O'Clock Sunday morn
ing and listened to memorial ser
mon by Rev. w R. Woodward of the
local NJ. E. church. The sermon paid
eloquent tribute to the soldiers of f1f-
ty years ago, to their wives and
widows, to the principals for which
they fought and suffered and especial
iy appealed to that national pride
which has the courage to suffer in
the cause of national peace. The
invocation and scripture reading
were by Rev. S. L. Allison of the
Presbyterian church Very appro-
pirate and beautiful musical selec-
tions were rendered by a double
quartette. At the close the audience
Joined in singing "America' and dur
ing the rendering of this last song a
beautiful tableau. Memories, was
brought to view by the gradual fold
ing of an American flag, while over.
all the WORT peace" was given the
browning place. The taBIeau repre-
ssented soldiers widow or mother, ;.
pensfvely regarding a soldiers faded
coat of blue" which she, apparently.
had just taken from an open trunk
before her. Incidentally and with
out any design or klQWladge of the
tableau ON the part 9nf thh sneaker.
this scene followed Immediately At
ter his tribute to the wives, mothers,
sisters and sweethearts Is of the sol
oilers of-ffry years ago. 7'.s' -'---z--.---,a
Towering weather still prevailed
on Monday morning but. neewfti1-
standing this and the further fact
that it Is very busy time for coun-
try people, there was a large crowd
in town for decoration services. The
people gathered in front of the court
house at 10 O'Clock and escorted the
old soldiers to the cemetery where
ritualistic services were rendered un-
der the direction of Comrade C. G.
Yetter and the graves of departed
comrades were decorated by a galaxy
of young girls who we're supplied
with an abundance of flowers for this
purpose. AS usual, Comrade w. H.
Sonfmerville had already marked all
old soldiers graves with small flags
which greatly assisted the girls in
finding them. The Ladies' Good Will
society served an elegant dinner at
noon and thereafter and at two o.
clock the courtroom was more than
filed by an audience which gave very
close and appreciative attention to
the speaker of the day, Judge Henry
T. Mason, one of the associate JUS
tices of our state supreme court.
Judge Mason's address)was thoughtful
and thoughtproductive, out of the
beaten path of decoration day ad-
dresses, and his delivery distinct,
deliberate and well considered. All
human law ultimately rests upon
force, but force is unnecessary for law
abiding humanity. Human nature is
the cause of friction, and universal
personal and national control of hu-
man nature is the only possible basis
of universal peace. The address has
since been the subject of many COM
mendationS. While the audience was
gathering the early corners were en-
tertained by patriotic graphaphone
selections, and Washington's fare
well address and Lincoln's Gettys-
burg address were rendered in the
same manner. There was prayer by
Chaplain Croft, of the G. A. R., and
the double quarteute rendered several