Connecticut western news., 1916-06-01
VOL. XIV
MEMORIAL DAY
Appropriate Observance. With Grafton
 by Judge Lockwood.

by Judge Lockwood.
 Memorial Day was fittingly observed in Canaan. The exercises began with the start on the round of the cemeteries at 8 o'clock in the morning, and ended with splendid address by Judge Charles D. Lockwood, of Stamford, in Town Hall.
 Commander Weddle reports that about twenty veterans participated in the ceremonies. at various stages, and larger representation of citizens than usual took an active interest in the pro- ceedings. In some respects it was one of the most impressive observances held in Canaan in some years.
 The route of the automobile tour in cars generously donated for the oc- casion by patriotic citizens-was, as usual, to the Ashley Falls cemetery, where the children of the public school rendered an appropriate program of songs and recitations, under direction of their teachers, Misses Fitzgerald and Carey, and the soldiers graves were decorated by the veterans; thence to Clayton, where similar exercises were given by the Clayton and Sodom schools-Misses Rood and Whitford, teachers-the feature of which was a solo, beautifully sung by little Miss Dorothy Burdue, whose pleasing voice and manner won a round of spontaneous applause. Canaan Valley turned out its we'll drilled school children, under Miss Lena Potter, who had caligraph copies of their program to distribute to the visitors At H. c. Stevens farm the entire parade halted to partake of a we'll prepared and welcome repast of sandwiches and coffee, in accordance with MT. Stevens long established and hospitable custom.
 At the East Canaan Cemetery an elaborate program had been prepared, laregly through the activity MT. J. W. Hayward, who, with the teachers in the local schools, Misses Finnegan, Hatmaker and Hall, had devoted con siderable time and pains to the arrange ments. A decorated arch spanned the entrance to the cemetery: seats were arranged for the comfort of the veterans and friends during the patriotic exer- cises by the schools, firing squad fired a salute of three volleys in honor of the dead, and the Reveille, c"taps, ") was sounded by George W. Ford, on the cornet, adding to the impressiveness of the ceremonies After the graves had been decorated the children per formed their part of the program in a highly creditable manner, showing the painstaking labors of their teachers. MT. Hayward officiated as master of ceremonies, and in graceful manner presented the various features. After brief address of welcome and tribute to the veterans he called upon Rev. M. J. B. Fuller, of the East Canaan Congregational church to offer prayer Rev. E. c. Gillette was then intro- duced, who gave a brief but timely and appropriate address of patriotic nature, which was listened to with interest.
 The ceremonies at Lower Cemetery, Canaan, were without extra features, except for the sounding of the Reveille by Judge Ford. and the parade returne to town and halted at Pilgrim Church, where, at l 3 o'clock, bountiful colla- ton was served to about 75 veterans, Sons of Veterans, their families and members of committees. The dinner,
 
 presided over by Miss Katherine Rora- back, assisted by Mrs. N. l.. Jackson, Mrs. c. M. Brewer, Mrs. C. F. Roberts, Mrs. W. q. Briggs, Mrs. Robert Black, Mrs. F. M. Brewer, Mrs T. H. Perkins, Mrs. J. G. Root, Mrs. E. $. Pease and Miss c. V. DeHart.
 At 3 o'clock the Town Hall was fairly we'll filled with the people of the village many having been deterred by the threatening aspect of the weather-and the local program was engineered by Joseph l.. Parsons, who presided ill his usual graceful and dignified man. ner. The veterans occupied the front seats.
 Rev. L. E. Travis offered prayer, after which troop of school children, marshalled by Principal Strayer, sang "'The Star. Spangled Banner" There were songs and recitations, by Douglas Adam, Norman Hicks, Dorothy Drumm and others, and a finely executed flag drill and salute to the flag by the class :: Commander Weddle, of David $. COwles Post, G. A. R., read from the ritual the welcome of the order; the veterans gave their impressive "salute to the dead;" and the song, "Tenting Tonight" was attempted by the audience.
 Chairman Parsons then in a fitting speech introduced the speaker of the day, Judge Lockwood. one of Fairfield County's most prominent citizens and a recognized orator of eloquence and force fulness, who delivered an address pro, nounced by many hearers the best ever heard here on a Memorial Day. Judge Lockwood spoke without notes, and in an earnest and convincing manner.
 He paid feeling tribute to the as. sembled veterans, and made graceful reference to the patriotic history of Litchfeld County, the conspicuous ser vice it had ren :ered ill the cause of the nation, and the notable men it had pro. duced; and to the prominent part Con- neoticut, as a colony and as a state, 111aypd in tho aa1 V ana later days of