The Delta independent., 1924-06-06
DELTA CONTEMPORARIES
C0UNTRY'S DEFENDERS

Owing to storm, the graves of hero
dead were not decorated with flags
or flowers until Memorial Day morn
ing The members of the W. r. C.
and G. A. r. Post placed fitting en-
blems on the graves of Civil War and
Spanish American War Veterans, as
well as Corps members, while the
American Legion boys assumed the
responsibility for the World War
members graves.
Long before noon hundreds of
friends thronged the cemetery with
their silent tributes to the memory
Of those they loved, whether they
had been removed from the ranks of
civil life or from the battle field.
and seldom if ever has the city of
Little Green Tents" looked more
beautiful.
The members OF the Woman's Re
lief Corps and their families had
picnic dinner at the Odd Fellows hall
at noon, and at 1:3O, these, with the
American Legion boys, members of
Co. c and the struggling remnant of
the g. A. R., headed by Blackburn's
Boy band, led long line in a solemn
procession to the City of the Dead"
Here ranks were formed and the
procession marched from the en-
trance to the north end of the ceme-
terry, thence west to an open plot
to the monument erected in honor Of
the soldier dead.
The Woman's Relief Corps sang
Nearer, My God. to Thee" the band
arcnmpanying, after which the ritua-
l.s-ic service was very beautifully
given by officers, and each member
placed flowers at the foot of the
monument
American Legion members, led by
John H. Blore, Post Commander. fol
lowed with their service which was
very beautiful and impressive, after
which a firing squad from Co. c fired
the salute and taps was sounded.
on the return to town the process
sion went to the new North Delta
bridge where an elaborate program
had been arranged with fitting cere-
monies for the formal opening Of that
splendid acquisition.
About thirty members of the Black.
burn Boy band We're present and gave
numbers after each address.
Eav F. W Pimlott gave the invo-
cation. after which J. f. Beckley was
introduced and gave a two minute talk
or ,la subject Then and Now" com
parn- the old wooden structure and
the iangers and inconvenience there
To with the present concrete and
steel structure which connects Delta
proper with North Delta.
l. B. RaiChart, one of the North Del
"a residents spoke on the improve
ment and expressed appreciation Of
the North Delta people therefor.
Joe Hartman. one of Montrose
Conty's commissioners. and T. W.
Mcneil County Clerk and Recorder
from Montrose County. each gave
short but interesting talks. congratu-
lating Delta on the new bridge.
A telegram from George stephan. at
one time a resident of this city. and
eS-Lieutenant Governor was received.
which read as follows:
q congratulate the best county
in the state on having secured
cooperation Of the Highway De
partment in the construction Of
the splendid bridge spanning the
Gunnison river at Delta can
well remember when we forded the
river, as there were no bridges in
the county. Am sorry to be unable
to be with you tomorrow in per
son, but will be with you in spirit"
J. ]. Vandermoor. of the State
department, was asked to
tell "Why the Bridge Was Built" He
said the obvious answer was that It
was built because Il was needed He
gave some figures in connection with
the structure. which viii give some
idea of the magnitude OF the under
taking:
The original estimate by the CON
tractors. Messrs. Winterhurn & Lums-
den, on cost, was 500. .S0776. and the
actual cost. was, in round numbers,
over S9S.O00. making a say.
ing OF over S1.l0O.
There we're employed in the building
Of the bridge 1000 square yards cf
concrete; S67ia tons Of steel; 1S0,235
lbs reinforcement: $1,000 feet Of
piling. and the bridge was completed
and ready for use go days ahead of
contract time The bridge is coo
feet long and has four spans. II is
monument which will outlive even
our youngest citizens
A. w, Luce, Manager Of Greater
Colorado" told Of the value OF the
bridge in interesting tourists to come
to the gateway to Grand Mesa He
said in part
Memorial Day 1924. will ever be