Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY
PLANS CHANGED
EXERCISES HELD IN OPERA
HOUSE; HEROIC DEEDS OF
SOLDIER DEAD LAUDED.

A steady downpour of rain marred
the Memorial day exercises yesterday
and but handful Of people gathered
at the opera house to pay tribute to
the country's fallen heroes. The reg.
ular program which was to have been
held in Ottumwa cemetery was carried
out but the rain did much to detract
from the significance of the day.
The First Cavalry band and over 100
members Of Co. G braved the down
pour and marched from the armory to
the opera house, the members of the
G. A. r., w. r. c., Sons Of Veterans.
Outpost Signal corps. Co. A engineers
and quartermaster department ar1iv-
| ing before the program opened.
Change Plans.
The plans for holding the services
in the cemetery were abandoned at
noon when it was seen that the rain
would continue throughout the day.
Two years ago the services were held
indoors but under more favorable con-
ditions than yesterday. When the
band and company arrived at the the
alter, the clothes Of the men were soak
ing wet, but they filed into their places
and remained throughout the after
noon.
Hamilton Chairman.
Major A. H. Hamilton, who last year
was unable to attend the exercises on
account Of poor health, presided as
chairman during the afternoon. Fol-
lowing the invocation given by Rev.
Malcolm Dana, the band played The
Stars and Stripes Forever"
In a few brief and we'll chosen words
Major Hamilton told OF the boys OF 81
who had passed on, OF their deeds and
what would be expected Of the boys OF
today and how we'll he knew that they
would perform their duties.
comrade Talks.
J. A. Wall, veteran from Mt. Yer
non, ILL.,. was the first speaker on the
program. He dwelt some time on
what had been done during the days
Of the civil war and prayed that the
boys who were sitting before him
would not have to cross the sea to
enter into this mighty conflict. He
added, however, 1T you have to go.
then go into the fight with the knowl-
edge that American soldiers have new
er lost fight
Day Speaks on War.
The Ottumwa Male chorus then
sang Comrades in Arms" and Rev.
Edward Day of Eddyville, the princf-
pal speaker Of the afternoon, was In
troduced.
when we talk of peace, we are too
prone to disregard what peace
evolves" said the speaker. Peace is
the golden harvest Of the strife which
causes suffering to many: 1t is the
golden harmony following despotism.
It costs an infinite price, purchased
by the loss OF human souls.
''Why did Washington lead his men
into the very Jaws Of death at Valley
Forge: Lee his command into the
thickest OF the fray at Gettysburg, and
why the destruction on Sherman's
march to the sea? It was to buy peace,
which costs blood, blood that stains
deep.
Honor to Blue and Gray.
1--WE honor the boys Of blue who
marched from the court house at APP
pomattox carrying the banner Of free
dom and also the hero in gray who,
with head bowed, returned to his
home, his land devastated and he him
self scarcely unable to help himself.
They both paid the price OF freedom
and a democracy.
To-day, we find ourselves In the
twentieth century with swords I'M
sheathed and thank Cod with right
eousness. too. And as America has
spoken of her victories in the past. she
will speak III the same terms in the
near tomorrow Peace is promised and
will be brought about. There will be
a world of freedom. governed by the
people and for the people"
In closing his address he repeated
Your Flag and My Flag" The exer-
cises we're closed by singing Amer
lea" and benediction by Rev. Malcolm
Dana.
Decorate Graves.
While the exercises we're in prog
ress committee decorated the
graves In the Ottumwa cemetery. Dur
ing the morning a committee compos-
ed Of John Feehan. ST., Larry Glenn
and T. r. Buckley decorated the graves
in Calvary cemetery.
THANKS THE HELPERS.
The committee Of Sons Of Veterans
who had charge Of the arrangements
for the day, thanks all who assisted in
any way to make the observance a sue
cess. All those who have bills against
the committee for service or articles
furnished for the memorial exercise,
are requested to present them at once
to F. T. Lynch at the Retail Mer-
chants association.
SCHOOL BOND CARRIES.