Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1923-05-31
FINE SERVICES AND IDEAL
WEATHER, DECORATION DAY

The Decoration day exercises
Wednesday were carried out here
about as previously announced in
this paper.
AT $3.50 a. M, the parade formed
the pupils of the public schools un-
der the direction of the superin-
tendent, Malconta band following.
and these Joined by Wagon Co. No.
124, veterans of the G. A. r., men,
bers Of the W. r. c., and of Malcon-
ia Post of the American Legion. and
Auxiliary, and other citizens falling
in the line of march to the ceme-
terry. Mr.. A. D. King was officer of
the day. Automobiles had been do
mated by different ones to be used
in conveying the G. A. r. veterans
to the cemetery.
On account of the cool weather.
and the backward spring, which had
resulted in somewhat of a dearth of
flowers, there were not so many in
evidence as usual Notwithstanding
this, however, enough had been
gathered to make quite a showing
though not in the profusion which is
desired and is generally expected at
this season of the year
At the cemetery quite a large
crowd had gathered to participate
in or listen to the customary patriot
ic service which is a part of the
days ceremonies. The members of
the G. A. r. had their ritualistic
service first, followed by that of the
w. R. G. and American. Legion, and
Auxiliary, and their depositing Of
flowers about the monument to the
soldier dead. A salute was fired by
members of Wagon company.
Following the exercises the school
children and the members of the w.
r. C. and others proceeded to their
work of decorating the graves Of
soldiers Of the civil, world war and
other wars, all of which had been
as customarily, marked with small
American flag. The work of depos-
iting flowers upon the graves of the
soldier dead completed, the parade
then reformed and marched to the
public square where they were dis
missed.
The afternoon service which was
held in the opera house began at
2:30, the meeting being preceded
with music by the band The stage
was beautifully decorated with flow
ers and plants, and American flags,
pictures of men prominent in the
history of our country giving an
added patriotic aspect, and making
an appropriate setting for the fine
exercises which followed.
Lincoln's Gettysburg address was
delivered in a pleasing way by Miss
Margaret Durbin. There were vo-
cal selections by a chorus under the
direction of Maj F. M. Kahler. Miss
Eula Maze gave a recitation. The
opening and closing prayer We're
made by Rev. F. Gillian and Rev.
w. NJ Wilson.
Following the preliminaries all Of
which were interesting, the address
of the occasion was delivered by
Atty Geo. o. McGonagle, who is al
ways at home on the lecture plat
form, and his address at this time
was no departure from the usual ex-
cellence which characterizes his
talks. 1t was rich in historical data,
filled with patriotism and reverence,
and delivered in way that appeal
ed to all.
There was a large attendance at
this service, the opera house being
we'll filled, people from the Malta
side and many from the county in
general joining with the people here
to enjoy the commemoration and
help honor the day which is a sacred
one to soldier and citizen alike.
Following the opera house meet
ing, the band headed the parade to
the river bridge, a large crowd of
persons going, and there the w. r.
C. held their service hOnoring the
soldier dead who sleep in watery
graves. The band played appropri-
ate selections, and the w. r. G. rit-
ualistic service of words and song
was held, and flowers were strewn
upon the water. The ceremony was
very impressive and was as it always
is on such an occasion a fitting and
beautiful closing to a day of inter-
esting and sacred features.
In Malta on the morning of Dec
Grafton day the usual exercises by
the schools occurred, the pupils
meeting at the school house, and
under direction of Comrade J. l..
Benjamin preceding to the cemetery
where the decoration of the graves
took place. The procession was
headed by the band to the foot Of
the Malta hill leading to the ceme-
terry, from where the musicians
came over to the McConnelsville side
to participate as above stated.