Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1907 — BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR DECORATION. [ARTICLE]

BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR DECORATION.

The Nation has again paid its annuaTMbute to its valorous dead. The observation here was fittingly observed, the pa add being formed in front of the court house square as in former years, and marching to the cemetery. In the lead was the St. Joseph College band, then the militia company, then the Sunday schools all together, then the Odd Fellows, then the Knights of Pythias, then a large turn out of the veterans of the Civil War, and lastly the fire department the hose cart gaily decorated and the members of the company wearing their new uniforms consisting of new blue flannel shirts and firemen’s caps. Chester Zea, the faithful city teamster and driver of the fire team had gone the rest of'the company one better and had on a complete new suit of blue. At the cemetery the printed program was carried out with the exception of the music by the choir. It seems that Capt. Burnham, on whom the harden of making the arrangements had almost altogether fallen, had asked a union choir from all the churches under the direction of Prof. Prior to supply tho music for both the Memorial sermon on Sunday aud for the service at the grave yard on decoration day. The choir had executed the music on Sunday and did not understand that any more was expected of them. The difficulty was largely overcome, however, by the presence of the excellent St. Joseph College band, which played several pieces.

The most notable of the features was the oration of Capt. J. A. Burnham. He had given much thought to his theme, and it was probably as thoro a discussion of the causes leading up to the war and making it inevitable, as was ever conducted. He began with the importation of the first slaves in 1619, and then explained the labor difficulties that grew out of the use of the slaves. His argument was very thoro and instructive. He spoke of the hardships of the Andersonville prison and the determined loyalty of those were confined there. His address was given the closest attention by the large gathering. Returning from the cemetery the order of marching was reversed, except that the band again led. On reaching Washington street, the various organizations opened ranks, and the veterans marched thru the line and to the coart house square. The other organizations then disbanded and the members of the Post went to the G. A. R. room in the court house where the ladies of the G. A. R. following their custom for several years, served a samptons supper for them.