Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1924-06-05
PAyETTE IS
PROUD AGAIN

Days has passed into history and
left behind it a blazing trail of glory
which tends to further obscure the
scars of neglect for the sad recur-
rences of the day in the past which
| Payette has shamefully allowed to
come and go unnoticed and unsung.
The entire celebration. from day
| light to dark was again in charge of
the John Webster Rhoad's Post of
The American Legion of this city. 1t
| opened with an artillery salute at
daybreak which was everything that
could be expected. The houses and
windows shook and ratified and the
earth trembled at the explosion of
each gun. The salute was in honor
of the dead who lie sleeping the
years of their manhood away in order
that we may live and move secure
in the liberty which their blood,
tears and suffering has bought for
US. Could their be more appropri-
ate tribute?
The Payette County Band was out
during the entire day in full uniform
and delivered the most excellent
music at every stage of the program.
| 1t just seemed that whether around
the Doughboy Statue, or in parade or
under the trees upon the beautiful
green of the Central School Park
| their music was the most appropri-
| ate, and played with a soul and
feeling which blended with the
sacred atmosphere thrown around
| them by the occasion itself
The day itself was the most beau
| tiful. The Sun so intensely bright
that it seemed to be only few rods
away and yet it was not too warm !;
| such a sun can be witnessed no.
1 where with such beauty as in South
| ern Idaho; the grass and the trees
4 were just green enough, and the
! spring air balmy enough and the
happy birds just filled with song
lenough to carry one back upon the
! wings of time to the first Memorial
Day held in the shade of the green
:ktxces of Old Pennsylvania upon the
Ivery ground where the block, of per.
entered into the happy spirit of the
occasion but with quietness and
reverence. The program unrolled
like clockwork without the slightest
ruffle or hitch to mar the wonder
ful rythm of it all.
At 10 A NJ the Veterans of the
Civil War took their places on the
reviewing stand in front af the First
! National Bank, surrounded by Amer
| ican flags and literally buried in
| flowers, viewed the beautiful par
ade which had been arranged for the
day. Those old soldiers who occu-
pied seats of honor on the reviewing
stand were as follows:
L. Franklin, New Plymouth.
| B. F. Swartz, Fruitland.
S. F. Taylor, Fruitland.
| Thos Barton, Ontario.
]. F. Dressler, Payette.
Chas. Nuzman, Payette.
E. B. Dorathy, Payette.
G. F. Thayer. Payette,
T. D. Walters, Payette.
]. A. Bartlett, Ontario.
The parade was led by John T.
Jefferis, Sheriff; A w. Christian,
Deputy Sheriff, and Fred Christen-
| sen, Chief of Police, mounted.
Then followed former officers of
the World War and State Militia in
full uniform and mounted, then the
Payette County Band, The Ladies
Auxiliary to the American Legion,
The American Legion, Payette's fine
Battery of Field Artillery, and nu-
| merous well decorated floats. The
Chamber of Commerce, the Portia
Club and others introduced floats
indicative of their orders and activi-
ties. Especially beautiful and at
tractive was the float and accom-
panying uniformed parade of the
local organization of the Ku Klux
Klan. The float was a portrayal of
the spirit of Sacrifice for
Self, but for Others" 1t was all sur
mounter by huge fiery cross. The
balance of the float was profusely
and patriotically decorated and meant
much to those who were fortunate
enough to see it.
The ceremony at the cemetery was
especially beautiful. 1t was conducted
over the freshly filled grave of late
ly departed veteran of the Civil War,
and was conducted by the American
Legion. At the close of the cere-
mony firing squad of ten fired
three rounds in honor of the dead
of all wars. Then the graves of all
Of the war heroes were decorated
with flags and buried in flowers. All
uniformed men came into formation
at the East gate of the cemetery and
TAPS" were sounded by Comrade
John Gross of New Plymouth while
two thousand or more civilians stood
in reverent silence with bowed heads. +
The program in the afternoon was
held at the Genital School Park. Spe- I
cial music was furnished by the
Payette County Band and special .
ly arranged chorus of mixed voices. /
Also number by male quartet
consisting of Prof Adams, Ted
Clauser, Bert Buell. and John Hell
man. Brig. Gen. l.. V. Patch presid-
ed over the entire ceremony Captain
James Harris of Weiser, Ex-State
Commander oil the American Legion
delivered the address and it was
good. He left this one outstanding
thought with us-America is not a
warlike nation-America is against
war-but in our zeal to end the