The Day in Missoula
Interesting Services in Which All the Citizens Took Part.
Flowers for the Graves
An Imposing Parade with an Evening of Impressive Oratory in the Opera House.
Missoula, May 30. - Never before was Memorial day so generally and patriotically observed in this city as it was to-day. Flags floated at half-mast all day and bunting and crepe were conspicuous on many business houses and private residences. The windows of the Hennessy Mercantile company and the Missoula Mercantile company were appropriately decorated and attracted much attention. Early in the morning visitors began to wend their way to the cemeteries with loads of flowers to decorate the graves of friends and relatives. There must have been fully 200 of these visitors on their mission of love and duty, who were at the Valley cemetery during the forenoon, and when their loving task was ended the burial ground was a bower of bloom. Details from the Grand Army and the Women's Relief corps attended to the decoration of the graves of departed veterans, and by noon the cemetery was completed. Such masses of flowers were never before seen in Missoula, and the lavish display formed a pleasant and suggestive beginning of the solemn services of the day.
It was a few minutes past 2 o'clock when John L. Sloane, marshal of the day, gave the command for the parade to move. It was in many respects the most imposing procession that ever moved through Missoula's streets. There have been more gorgeous displays, more men have been in line, but never was there a more general maniftstation [sic] of loyalty and sympathy. Business men, professional men, mechanics and farmers - all were represented in the line and all testified by their presence to their sympathy with the objects of the day's ceremonies.
All day threatening clouds had hung low along the horizon or had moved sullenly across the sky, as if it would rain in the afternoon, but as the chief marshal gave the command for the forward march, the sun burst forth and the afternoon was a beautiful one. Marshal Sloane was assisted by the following aides, representing the several civic organizations in line: Charles H. Musgrave, A. O. U. W.; H. D. Rhodes, I. O. O. F.; J. M. Evans, K. P. The line was formed on Higgins avenue, with the right resting on Cedar street. The formation of the column was as follows:
Marshal and Aides.
Cordon of Police.
Band.
G. A. R. and W. R. C.
School Children.
A. O. U. W.
Band.
Daughters of Rebekah.
I. O. O. F.
K. of P.
Mayor and City Council in Carriages.
Fire Department.
Citizens on Foot.
Citizens in Carriages.
The Grand Army was under command of Samuel Bellew, post commander, and turned out a good number of veterans. The marks of age and the wear and tear of time are apparent in the forms and features of the veterans, and the figures which once marched erect to the martial notes of the bugle and drum to-day followed haltingly. But the flash of the eyes and the quick response to commands showed that the spirit of '61 is still alive in the breasts of those who suffered so much for the cause which to them was sacred.
The 25th Infantry band from Fort Missoula headed the procession and won applause by its excellent performance. The school children under charge of Superintendent Hamilton and the teachers, turned out to the number of several hundred and held their place in line with dignity and decorum. The civic societies represented in the line also made a creditable appearance, their ranks being well filled and their marching excellent. The fire department turned out to a man and presented its usual fine appearance. The line is march was as previously announced, and it was 2:45 o'clock when the parade ended at the court house. Here, beneath the splendid old trees, a speakers' stand had been erected and decorated with bunting. The band occupied the square stand and entertained the large audience with some excellent music. The exercises at the court house were as follows:
AT THE COURT HOUSE.
Music ........ Band
Memorial service ........ G. A. R. and W. R. C.
Decoration ........ G. A. R. and School Children
Flag salute ........ G. A. R. and School Children
Song - "America" ........ School Children
Address ........ Mrs. F. E. Moore, Pres. W. R. C.
Music ........ Choir
Address ........
Benediction ........
The memorial service in which the Grand Army and the Women's Relief Corps participated, was the beautiful and impressive ceremony prescribed and by their ritual and was carried out in a solemn manner by the participants. Following this came the symbolic decoration service, in which the school children took part. Then the public school pupils gave the salute to the flag, which is the opening ceremony of each day's exercises in the Missoula schools.
Mrs. F. E. Moore, president of the Women's Relief Corps, delivered a brief but suggestive address appropriate to the occasion. Mrs. Moore referred to the events which made necessary the observance of Memorial day and showed how it can best be observed, and what part the women and children can take in it. She mentioned the sacrifices made and the privations endured by the veterans whose valor this day commemorates and urges a more general and earnest observance of the day.
The exercises at the court house were concluded by music and afterward the band gave a delightful concert. Adjournment was then taken until evening.
THE EVENING EXERCISES.
The opera house, which had been donated for the occasion by G. N. Hartley, manager, was well filled this evening. The stage was appropriately decorated, and seated upon it were representatives citizens.
The evening exercises opened with music by the Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo club, which was excellently rendered and which called forth continued applause. The opening number was "Ben Hur Chariot Race March." The club responded to an encore with a stirring march. Judge Sloane, who officiated as master of ceremonies, introduced Rev. O. C. Clark, who made an eloquent prayer for loyalty and patriotism. Hon. H. C. Stiff was then introduced. Mr. Stiff spoke briefly of the observance of Memorial day, and urged that it be made more general. He said: "It is fitting that these fallen heroes should be remembered. It is not the purpose of these ceremonies to lead to the discussion of the issues that threatened to disrupt the nation, but simply to pay respect to the memory of these brave men who saved our country. To-day the friends of both sides join in the ceremonies, and this shows that all the issues that tended to disrupt our government have been obliterated." The speaker was warmly applauded.
The Mandolin club then rendered the "British Patrol" with beautiful effect, and after it had responded to an encore, Judge Sloane introduced Hon. W. H. Francis, the orator of the day. Judge Francis was warmly received, and his address was a masterly effort. In the beginning, Judge Francis said: "This is a splendid occasion for a speaker. It calls for the best thought, the greatest eloquence, the most thoroughly oratory. What, then, can I do? I can only try, trusting that He who gave me power of speech will enable me to speak well. This is Memorial day. No political party can claim it, no religious faction can call it its own. It is the people's day, sacred to precious memories. To-day from Maine to Georgia, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, all the people have been devoted to one object, the decoration of the graves of the dead. To-day the hand of age, of strong women and men, of youth and maidens, and of dimpled children have strewn upon graves, known and unknown, nature's tribute, flowers; and with every wreath has been dropped a tear. Memory has opened backward through the vista of departed years and drawn the electric chords of love and affection that defy death and time, and have recalled forms of husband, sweetheart and friend."
Continuing the speaker said: "The sentiment which inspires the American people to-day is one which elevates. Long before some who are here were born, when some now gray were young, one of the historic guns of the time were fired and fired against a fort of the United States. This led to war. I do not propose to go over that history. The story of bloodshed is always horrible; the nation's life was at stake. Many a nation can stand the brunt of the onslaught of a foreign for, but few could endure civil conflicts."
The war, said the speaker, demonstrated that our form of government is right. It was saved by the people because it was a government of the people. The war also demonstrated the noble quality if American manhood and womanhood; that manhood and womanhood that meets every difficulty.
Speaking of the women of war he said: "Womanhood, that sweetest, noblest, best thing that came out of the hand that fashioned all -- how can we appreciate it? The war taught us what womanhood really is."
The orator then told of the deeds of women in hospitals, camps and fields, and added: "There were thousands of Florence Nightingales in America at that time."
The speaker' peroration was received with loud cheers. He said: "Since the war thousands have passed away, till now the army that has gone beyond is larger than the army that remains. Many men that were 30 years ago erect and strong are now decrepit and infirm. Our splendid pension system provides for these, and if now and then an unworthy man is pensioned let us not allow a deserving man to suffer. Let us pension these men. Let us pay this stipend out of our coffers. It is not generosity; it is duty. I would rather say that I had given a crust of bread to a man who had fought to save my country than to wear a royal crown. There is no bauble royalty, no insignia of royalty to compare with the badge of the G. A. R."