Faulk County, SD History .....Chapter XI First Memorial Day 1909
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CHAPTER XI.



THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY.



    Among the pioneer settlers of Faulk county, the veterans of 1860-1864 were a

goodly number, who had served their country in the Civil War. On the near

approach of May 30, 1884, there was a general desire to appropriately observe

this national holiday. Upon the coming of the day the people went forth with

flowers to decorate the graves of our fallen heroes. The rains descended to

baptize the floral offerings that came from sincere and sympathetic hearts.

While the day opened rainy, and unfavorable to those intending to come from

distant parts of our county, the patriotism, love of country, enterprise and

intelligence indicated by the number who did come, necessitated the idea of an

indoor meeting being abandoned, and an outdoor meeting to be held. The

procession was formed at the school house, headed by some thirty children

bearing wreaths of flowers; next came fifteen old soldiers, of which the

following is a roster, viz:



John H. Shirk, Co. E, 79th Reg., Penn. Vol. Infantry; 

J. P. Sutton, Co. D, 34th Reg., Iowa Vol. Infantry; 

H. K. Hursh, Co. A, 89th Reg., Indiana Vol. Infantry; 

L. K. Parmenter, Co. A, 14th Reg., Illinois Vol. Infantry; 

J. W. Parker, Co. G, 45th Reg., Illinois Vol. Infantry; 

G. Niederauer, Co. G. 1st Reg., Michigan  Vol. Infantry; 

Rev. C. Douglas,  Chaplain, 18th Reg., Mo. Vol. Infantry; 

W. H. DuBois, Co. D, 9th Reg., Indiana Vol. Cavalry; 

J. A. Pickler, Major, 3rd Reg., Iowa Vol. Cavalry;

M. Summy, Co,      , 9th Reg., New York Cavalry, 

H. A. Humphrey, Co. A, 8th Reg., Illinois Cavalry; 

Peter Hawn, Co. Q, 8th. Reg., Illinois Cavalry; 

George J. Jarvis, 3rd Wisconsin Battery; 

P. B. Durley, Q. M., 124th Reg., Illinois Infantry; 

J. S. Hamilton, U. S. Navy.



    Then followed a large body of citizens. The column marched from the school

house to a monument erected above a new made soldier's grave. The procession

formed on three sides of the monument and grave, when the president of the day,

Capt. J. H. Wallace, announced that exercises would be opened by prayer by

Comrade Chaplain Clinton Douglas, followed by singing "Cover Them Over," by the

Glee club.



    The children then decked the base of the monument with wreaths and covered

the grave appropriately with flowers. Then followed an able and eloquent oration

by Major J. A. Pickler, which was followed by the song, "Battle Cry of Freedom."

The program closed with the reading, by Miss Ella Hamilton, of Will Carleton's

beautiful Memorial Day poem, entitled, "Cover Them Over With Beautiful Flowers.”



    The exercises were so intensely interesting that an hour was spent in

reminiscences and song before the patriotic company broke up.



Additional Comments:
From:



HISTORY OF

FAULK COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

CAPTAIN C. H. ELLIS



TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS



ILLUSTRATED

19O9





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