The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY.
LARGE CROWD GATHER AT CEMETERY
AND OPERA HOUSE TO HEAR Pre-
GRAM-BOY SCOUT BAND LEADS
PARADE-THE WELL ARRANGED
PROGRAM CARRIED OUT.

After TWO days OIL COALlRuuuS LAM
Memorial Day dawned bright and
beautiful.
Early in the morning from all dl-
rections, friends and relatives visited
the various resting places of the dead
in Westminster, laden with flowers,
which, notwithstanding the lack OF
sunshine and the late season, seemed
to remember the sacred day and
bIoomed in prOfusion.
Every grave had it's floral tribute,
the beautiful snow ball predominat1ng
and every soldiers grave its little flag,
many of them supplied by relatives,
to relieve Burns Post, with its de-
pleted membership, of the expense OF
furnishing so many at the high cost
of the present time. The urn in the
center of the cemetery, where the brief
service of the G. A. r. is held, was
beautifully decorated with a wreath
of white flowers, surmounted by flags,
and here, led by the long line of the
children, headed by the Boy Scout
Band, under the leadership of Prof.
Charles PeltZ, the feeble remnant of
Burns Post paused, while the Band
played Nearer My God to Thee" and
the drum was rolled and taps sound
ed, when the sad duty of streWing the
graves of departed comrades with
flowers was performed.
The march to the cemetery was a
pathetic one. Many of the children
taking part were very young, but they
carried their little flags with pride,
and entered into the spirit of the oc-I
casion, proudly saluting the veterans
as they passed through their opened
r+n
tiful picture of youth and old age.
The children were led by Miss Mary
B. Shellman and the Post, by acting
Com. J. H. Mitten, the last survivors
of those who took an active part in
the first memorial service in West
minister.
The Boy Scouts rendered splendid
service during the day, in many ways,
and the boys who formed the Opera
House force, deserve especial thanks
for their valuable help in arranging
the decorations Of the stage.
At the opening of the services at the
Opera House, Corrade Mitten, on be-
half of the Post, publicly thanked all
who so kindly assisted in making
in its history.
l. /
use of the Opera House; to Mrs. H. NJ.
KINNEY and the choir for their splen-
did musical program; to Miss Mary
B. Shellman, for the arrangement and
carrying out of the program; to all
who assisted in any way; the Boy
Scout Band, the Drum Corps, the
Sentinel office for printing, and all the
ladies and gentlemen who SO kindly
in ar.in oh
and in helping in any way. Mr.. w. Z.
Matthews, who presided, has come
from his home in Sellersville, Pa, to
take part in memorial services here,
every year, for twenty-eight years,
and his young son, Master Edwin
Matthews, Jr, an enthusiastic Boy
that he might be here, and rendered
valuable service with his brother
Scouts during the day.
Mr. Matthews paid glowing tribute
to Mrs S. K Herr, whose heart and
home, are always open to the veterans
and who was one of the speakers. An
other veteran is Mrs. Lizzie Zahn, who
every year helps with the decorations
at the cemetery and the hall and is
always ready to do her part.
A splendid audience assembled at
the Opera House. Every seat was oc-
cupied and a number were standing,
but through the entire program, the
deepest interest was manifested. EV
cry one joined heartily in the singing
of the patriotic songs, and the war
songs appealed especially to the vet
Grams of Burns Post, many OF them
being moved to tears during the sing
ing and the splendid speeches which
followed During the singing OF the
Star Spangled Banner, Miss Katherine
Lynch, as Liberty, marched on the
stage accompanied by fife and drum
mer and stood at the front, inspiring
every one as she waved the loved
hammer. which means SO much to us at
the present time.
The inspiring prayer; the pathetic
and reminiscent address of Mrs. S. X.
Herr: the splendid rendering of Lin
coins address at Gettysburg by Mr..
Fred G. Holloway of Western Mary
land College; the beautiful original
Doem. The Boys of 81" by Miss Mary
b. Shellman, and the patriotic address
bv Rev. K. IT. Mowbray, all deserve
sDecial mention. While the choir, un-
der the leadership of Mrs. Fl. M. Kim
mev. with her orchestra, trombone
and giolins played by Messrs. John
Evans, Thomas Anders and Charles
Keefer added so much to the pro-
gram.
The five vacant chairs, one of which
was for the late Commander OF the
Post. Capt. James :. Baer,Were crown
ed with flowers, by Scout Billy Dit
man. Charles Bish, Gary Stonesifer,
Monroe Townsend and Harry Miller,
who stood at attention, until the drum
was rolled by U. S. G. Brown and taps
sounded by Scout Charles Keefer.
The following was the program:
America" choir and audience; pray
or, Rev. III. l.. Elderdice, d. D., presl-
dent of Westminster Theological Sem
mary: opening exercises of the Post,
and reading records Of the dead; Act
ing Commander, John H. Mitten and
Adit. Bowers Burns Post No. IL, 6. A.
r :Crowning vacant chairs with now
ers Boy Scouts; prayer for our Army
and NAVY and for Peace, Rev. Charles
shaw, rector of Ascension Episcopal
Church; rolling drum,U. :. G. brown;
fans Scout Charles Keefer. Part Ii.
W 4. Matthews, Sellersville, "a, pre-
siding: ..The Recessional" (Lest we
forqet1. choir; Lincoln's address at
Getfysburg, Mr.. Fred. G. Holloway. OF
oC"11 COI1opp. Battle