The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-11-11
CITIZENS HERE
PAY TW0-MINUTE
SILENT TRIBUTE
Hundreds Gather Around Col
Ors as Proclamation of Pres
ident is Observed
LEGION HEADS PARADE
LEGION HEADS PARADE
Many Enter Churches of City
For Prayer For Success
of Washington Meeting

VI V0SI1uXt tOll MectluS
AS the. laundering blast of a whistle
told the assembled people that the
moment had arrived when the un-
known American soldier was to be
laid to rest in the nations shrine of
heroic dead at Arlington cemetery,
hundreds of men, women and chill
dren in Bismarck stood at attention
and faced the west with barred heads
for two minutes of silent tribute to
those who gave their lives in the
great war
AS the last note of "taps" died
away and the band played "The Star
Splangled Banner" thoughts turned
back three years to November II,
1918, when a frenzied nation shouted
itself hoarse in unrestrained cele-
brati0n Of the signing of the Armis-
tice. Many a soldier standing in
formation recalled a scene, perhaps
in a trench, in the, battle-scarred
ground of the Argonne or perhaps in
gay Paris, when he, too, was told the
struggle was over and soon he would
again start nome.
No such observance of a day IN
which solemn and reverent thoughts
mingle with exultant memories had
been witnessed before in city or in
nation. The days program began
early with talks in the various
schools of the city at 9 a. M, by
speakers furnished by the American
Legion, and at the business college,
where eight ex-service men were pre-
sented with flowers by President
Langum.
Many, in Parade.
BY ten O'Clock hundred and fifty
former service men, most of them IN
the drab khaki. had again taken their
places in formation under stern
commando. Following them as the
parade swung down Fourth street
were veterans of the Civil War in
Bit limousine, veterans Of the Span
ish-American War on foot, we'll drill
ed youths from the Indian school, city
school children and citizens. Though
the atmosphere chilled they patiently
stood in line until the command to
march was given by Henry !:
Murphy, marshal of the parade, anu
the Elks band led the procession.
Marchers in the parade encircled the
flag-pole at Northern Pacific park
where the flag was at half mast, while
hundred OF citizens gathered in the
park and on the sidewalks. Motors
OF automobiles ceased purring. At
II o'clock !12 o'clock eastern time)
the whistle announced the opening
of the two-minute silent period:
"Taps" were sunded, as the as
!. semblage faced the west, with barred
ehheeahsss Oniy here and there an I'M
patient child broke the solemn still
ness. Far down the street pede-
strian and motor car ignored the call
of the nations head and hurried on.
But nearly every citizen in the city
had responded to the call to cease
business during the period and to dis
play the national colors.
The four-minute talks of the Le-
gionaires at the local theaters upon
the proper respect for the colors had
had effect, and there twas notice
able increase upon the part OF those
watching the parade to bare heads
and salute the colors as they passed
in the parade.
Many Mt Churches
Before and after the ceremonies
downtown many people wended their
way to churches of the city in obedl-
ence to the call of the President for
silent prayer for the success OF the
conference on limitations "
armaments which is opening in Wash
ington with representatives from all
parts of The world present.
One pastor expressed gratitude and
surprise at the number which at
tended the service in his church and
those who came at other times dur
ing the morning for their sllen'
prayer. Several hundred people
visited the Presbyterian, Episcopal
and Evangelical churches.
Legion Open House
An unusally large number OF peo
pie attended the mission at st. Mary
church this morning. Father Slae
made special reference to the confer
CuCc OH llAlt0SAOA "
which formally opens at Washington
tomorrow.
The solemn tribute paid to thell
comrades in arms, the American LIE
gion members joined in celebration
of the signing Of the Armistlce
Legion hall this afternoon. Opel
house was maintained and all ser
vice men were welcomed while storle
of army days were recounted. The LIE
gion show at the Auditorium this al
ternoon and evening are part of tn
celebration and an Elks dance will b
held.
The state house, county and cit
buildings were closed during the da
and business generally was suspend
ed between 10:45 a. m. and 11:15
m. in obedience to the pr0clamatio
of MayOr Lenhart,