Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1918 — LOVING TRIBUTE PAID TO HEROES [ARTICLE]

LOVING TRIBUTE PAID TO HEROES

MEMORIAL DAY FITTINGLY 08-' SERVED BY INTERESTED THRONG. Thursday was an ideal day. Nature, this year, had made special efforts to beautify earth that it might assist in paying tribute to the heroes living and dead, whose love of country and humanity had called forth the greatest service and sacrifice known to mankind. The weather was warm, much warmer than usual, but the day was bright and clear. At 1:30 p. m. the business houses were closed and the busy farmers came to the.city to take part in this great national holiday, sacred to the memory of those who had counted liberty greater than life itself. The four Healys, two of whom have been in the band as it has wended it Way solemnly to Weston cemetery for more than a quarter of a century, had gathered a number of men together, and they were able to make the day much more heroic by the splendid martial music. So many of the Rensselaer boys have been called to the colors out of the band that it is quite difficult to secure a sufficient number of players to make a creditable showing. Those who took part in the band Thursday have as they so much deserve the heartfelt thanks of the community. As the long parade left the court house led by the band, it was made up of a large number of boys and girls from the different Sunday schools of the city. The children were followed by the manly Boy Scouts. After the scouts came a most beautiful group of ladies from the Red Cross. They were dressed in white with Red Crosses upon their head apparel. Their appearance was very impressive and called forth many expression of, admiration. All seem to realized the splendid work which these ladies are doing for the great organization which they represented.

Following the ladies from the Red Cross, were the virile Liberty Guards. An organization which stands ready at any time to do service for the country. The Guards marched in splendid order and gave evidence of much training. The members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows were next in line and there was a large representation for this order. The members of the fire company were in line also. Those in whose honor the day’s exercises were -being conducted followed. The thinned ranks of the members of the Grand Army of the Republic. These noble patriots whose spirits are now as they have alway been 'full of patriotism showed by their silver locks that many years have intervened since they engaged in that great struggle under the command of the immortal Lin-, coin. On account of the very favorable season there were more beautiful flowers than lisual. Weston cemetery was never quite so beautiful. Rensselaer takes a great pride in its beautiful “silent city,” and is not stingy in its praise of J. H. Holden, keeper and the cemetery trustee. They have as they deserve the appreciation of this community for one of the most beautiful cemeteries to be found any Where. The programme at the cemetery

was very appropriate for this the most solemn Memorial Day exercise since the first celebration on the 30th of May 1868. Added to the love of the soldiers present and those who have been called to the great encampment there were many present who now have dear ones who have gone forth to do and die, if heeds be, in the great struggle now so dark ana gloomy in the beloved France. It was a serious, solemn occasion and pulled hard at the heart strings. The music and other exercises were in keeping with the momentous occasion. The principal address was delivered by our fellow townsman, Hon. E. P. Honan. It was one of the very best ever delivered in tins city. He gave the greatest praise to the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, present and to their fallen comrades. All honor and praise is due them and they are worthy sires of those splendid patriots who are now in a similar conflict for the freedom of humanity. Mr. Honan urged all to get into the spirit of the present conflict and to have that grim determination that shall bring victory to our arms now sis the Boy’s of ’6l brought victory to us m that great conflict It was a great oration and did honor to the occasion and great, credit to the orator of the occasion. The following veterans attended the services: D. H. Yeoman. Henry Wood. ( ,1 Richard Grow. William Warren. H. W. Wood, Sr. William Sayfler. John C. Kresler. Henry Amsler. Elijah Stevens. _ J. E. Mitchell. Whitesell Lewis. Allen Catt J. L. Hagins. > William Hoover. • George Morgan.

Thomas Crocket. Joseph Smith. Jesse Gates. * W. A. Green. W. R. Brown. J. L. Nichols. Burl Sheffer. p > John Watson. Alfred Witham. N. S. Bates. I. N. HempbiM. W. S. Day. Shelby Grant.