Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-08-11
PEOPLE OF CITY.
HONOR HARDING
In MASS MEETING.
Hundreds Attend Community
Memorial Sesvices at Fort
Brown Friday Night, Rem
der Excellent Program

On almost the same spot on the Fort
Brown parade grounds where the then
President-elect Warren G. Harding de-
livered his famous Armistice Day ad-
d-ess to the people of the Lower Rio
Grande Valley on November IL, 1920,
the people of Brownsville gathered last
night TO pay homage to the memory Of
the late president. A speakers stand
and plenty Of seats had been provided
through the efforts of officers of Fort
Brown, the committee appointed by the
mayor. and the Board Of City Develop
ment. and by 1880 o'clock over 1000
people had gathered.
Hundreds of automobiles had enter
ed the post gates prior TO the time
they were closed at 1920. and parking
space had been provided for them be-
yond the line of seats. Guards were
placed on the parade grounds to direct
the parking of cars. and no cars were
permitted to enter after 1920 or to
move after the services started.
The speakers stand which was draped
with the natl ,DaA colors, and the col
ors Of the John Hanson Post, Amer
lean Legion. was occupied by the
Twelfth Cavalry band, the choir, speak
ers, and n number of county and city
officials. Electric lights were provid
ed. bringing the stand into bold re-
Ief.
Members of the American Legion,
the Masonic organizations, the Knights
Of Columbus and Odd Fellows turned
out in body. and in full uniform or
regaiia, the fezes of the Shriners be-
u.
the number was one Shriner, Colonel
Byron L. Barger. who is a member Of
the lodge at Columbus, Ohio, of which
the late president was also a member
The program, as arranged by the
committee and announced yesterday,
was carried out in full, the music by
the Twelfth Cavalry Band and the
hymns by the band and choir. being
rendered in a manner which greatly
impressed the large audience. Jesse
Dennett, chairman of the committee
appointed by Mayor Cole to make all
arrangements for the memorial ser
vice, stated the object of the service
and paid glowing tribute to the late
president The invocation was given
by Rev. f. w. Marshall and the bene-
diction by Rev. Emmett +. Day. Al
dresses were delivered by Del S. Per-
kins, DR.. S. X. Hallam and H. b. Gal
braith.
The entire service was solemnly inn
pressive and beautiful. The musical
program evidenced careful and thought
full selection. The Twelfth Cavalry
band played for the opening selection
Chopin's Funeral March" The band
also accompanied the choir in the fol-
lowing selections: "Nearer My God
to Thee" LEAD Kindly Light" and
abide With Me-" in the singing OF
which more than a score Of well known
local singers were heard. The conclu-
sion Of the ceremony was marked by
the clear, sad notes of the bugle sound
ing "Taps," the soldiers goodnight,
and finally with the "Star Spangled
Banner, the large audience standing
reverently as il was played.
Del s. Perkins made brief but very
impressive talk in which he spoke OF
the great work the late president had
accomplished, the progress made in the
work of reconstruction following the
war. and the true democracy President
Harding exemplified as n man and as
great national leader. He paid
glowing tribute to his sterling man.
hood. sincerity. tenacity of purpose,
and above all TO his true Americanism.
In their memorial addresses. each OF
thS speakers stressed the fact that
Warren G. Harding was more than
president of the United States TO the
people of Brownsville-that he was the
personal friend Of many of our cit
izens; that he had spent week i'm
mediately after his election in this
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