Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 129, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1914 — RENSSELAER PAID TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

RENSSELAER PAID TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS

Large Crowd Assembled to Hear Address and See the Graves Covered With Flowers. The decoration of the graves of the soldier dead last Saturday was a solemn tribute to the Valorous dead and a eulogy to the surviving veterans and the spirit of patriotism in Jasper county was shown by the fact that a very large crowd was gathered at the cemetery, where a program of rare excellence was carried out. The procession to the cemetery was led by the band, followed by a number of children carrying flags, the Odd Fellows, Red Men, the Are department and thirty-two old soldiers. Several other soldiers, unable to walk, had gone to the cemetery to autos on buggies. George P. Daugherty, long an invalid, and Harvey W. Wood, Sr., who had recently undergone an operation, were both able to attend the service, and occupied places On the speakers’ stand. D. H. Yeoman was in Charge of the program, which consisted of selections by the band, good songs by the choir, a solo by Mrs. Edd J. Randle and a reading by Miss Marie Comer, all of which were very much appreciated. The address of Dr. Paul C. Curnick was pronounced by all who heard it as an exceptionally fine one. The cemetery is in the very best condition, the grass being carefully cut, the graves all cared for, the flower beds along the drive way and in the front and on many of the privately owned lots. There are few prettier burying places in this country. Dr. Curnick, in the course of his remarks, said that he ihad traveled in many states and had at no place seen a cemetery so well cared for. Following the service at the graveyard the march back to town was led by the band, followed by the old soldiers. At the G. A. R. hall the ladies of that order served to •the old soldiers a big dinner, following their annual, custom, and a very pleasant time was had. - The event was fully in keeping with the spirit of the day, and Jasper county certainly turns out creditably to honor those who offered their lives for the preservation of the union.