The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-06-09
: AA6hlAAAAAA
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED.
Impressive Exercises Held Under Au-
spices of Veterans Camp.

Memorial day was observed last
Sunday by Major Victor Maurin
Camp No. 3s, U.ssC with appropri-
ate exercises at Ihe camp tomb III the
Catholic cemetery. Members Of the
camp first attended high mass, being
seated in front rows through the
courtesy of their chaplain, Rev. G. NJ.
Chambon. After mass Father Cham
bon, escorted by a number Of altar
boys and Commander D. S. Leblanc
and Adjutant Edmund Maurin of the
Confederate organization, led the way
to the cemetery, followed by the vet
erans, the cadets Of st. Joseph Com
mercial Institute under the captainey
Of Bro. Damien, himself veteran of
the Spanish-American war, and mem
bers of the congregation.
The exercises were opened with an
invocation by Father Chambon, the
cadets presenting arms during the
prayer. After preliminary remarks
by Commander Leblanc, Adjutant
Maurin read the list of deceased vet
Grams whose names are Inscribed on
the memorial tablets in the camp
tomb. Feeling addresses were deliv-
cred by the adjutant, Bro. Damien and
Senator G. j. Labarre of Assumption.
Upon the conclusion of the cere-
monies the veterans were taken IN
automobiles to the Catholic fair in
progress on the grounds of St. Vim
cents Institute, where they enjoyed
an elegant repast. Following the
banquet calls were made for Senator
Labarre, who, after an eloquent in
PRODUCTION by Commander Leblanc,
delivered another impressive and at
fecting address. The speaker $
words touched the hearts of his au-
dience, the wet eyes of many of the
veterans attesting their emotion.
Thos. C. Nichols, Jr., who had been
invited to speak at the exercises, was
unable to be present because of hav-
ing enlisted in the navy, and sent a
letter Of regret of which the follow
ing is part:
81 can assure the members of Ma
jor Victor Maurin Camp that ! know
of no invitation that could have given
me greater pleasure, or touched more
tender spot in my heart, than the one
to speak on Confederate memorial
day. ! consider tia great honor to be
given an opportunity to pay tribute
to the gallant martyrs of the Con-
federate army, and to add my voice
to the undying chorus of praise OF
their deeds and sufferings during long
years in defense of the south. | con-
slider this particularly an honor when
I realize that my grandfather, Capt.
Larry Nichols, is buried in the city OF
Donaldsonville, and that / would be
able, after the ceremony, to place a
wreath upon his grave. [ trust the
invitation will be repeated and that
II shall be given this opportunity
again in years to come.
81 know you will fully appreciate
nv reason for my inability to be with
YOU on memorial day. At this mo-
ment I believe every eligible young
man should fit himself for the strug.
gle in which this country is engaged
the magnitude of which does moi
Iseem to be fully appreciated by the
majority Of our people.
Capt. Larry Nichols, grandfather
of Thos. G. Nichols, Jr., was a cap
7. tain in the brigade commanded by hi:
Ibrother, Gen. Francis T. Nichols
and was killed in action while at tht
head of his company in the battle Q.
/ Gettysburg, Pa. The captains bod.
Twas disinterred after the war, brough
ito DonaldsonyiIle and buried in TIL
1 family tomb Of his father-in-laW, tn
I Ilate Antoine Maurin, in the Catnoh
{ cemetery. His widow, nee Eliza Mau
rim, still survives at . golden age, an
is resident of New Orleans.