Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1882 — Decoration Day. [ARTICLE]

Decoration Day.

The touching and beautiful ceremony of decorating the soldiers graves, was carried out successfully in Rensselaer last Tuesday. At about 2 o’clock the procession formed under the able direction of Mr. Alfred Thompson, the president and officer of the day. At the head of the procession following the band, marched the Knights of Pythias in full uniform under the order of Commander Legg. and Lieut. Morgan. Here followed the Odd Fellows, commanded by Acting Marshal Hon. E. P. Hammond. Old soldiers with the flag, the hearse with'a magnificant burden of flowers tastefully arranged into wreaths, crosses and bouquets, the public schools officered by their teachers, and citizens on foot and in carriages completed the procession. At the cemetery the programme as published was carried out with perfect success. Capt. Babcock's tribute to the Nation’s Dead, was an extended poem m blank verse, eloquent and poetical; and Dr. Washburn’s remarks were well chosen and appropriate. Want of space prevents the publication of Mr. Babcock’s tribute this week, but it will probabiy appear in our next issue.