Fragrant Flowers for the Heroic Dead
The New Monument Unveiled - Oration of J. L. Boone
The Procession and Exercises
It cannot be said that the citizens of this town and vicinity failed in their duty to do
honor to the memory of the brave boys in blue on Decoration Day, for even in this small
village with but a handful of survivors of the memorable civil war, the manner in which
Decoration Day was observed would do credit to a larger town.
The stores were closed, flags were half-masted, and the school children were given a
holiday. The streets were crowded with people, but the quiet of the town was like that
of a Sabbath day.
The forenoon was spent in sorting out and arranging into bouquets and wreaths
huge baskets of flowers which were sent in from almost every part of the surrounding country.
At 1:30 the procession formed at Odd Fellow's Hall. First came the Grand
Army veterans, next, the members of the Relief Corps in carriages, and
following were the school children, marshaled by the teachers of each
department. The procession was headed by Messrs. Wagner and West and
Comrade Ashburn of Garfield Post, who furnished appropriate music.
A temporary stand was erected on the Grand Army lot in the cemetery,
over which was spread a canvas.
The new monument which had been completed at noon on the same day was
veiled from view by the national
colors. Seats were arranged for the audience.
The ceremonies were opened by a few remarks from Post Commander M. Woolf,
after which was a song by the Menlo Park Quartette. Chaplain of the Post
Harkins then delivered a prayer. A song was then sung by the Redwood City
Quartette. Comrade Boone then delivered an oration which is given in full below.
While Mr. Boone was speaking, the beautiful monument was unveiled.
The graves were then strewn with flowers by the school children.
Captain Harkins delivered a feeling address on the unknown dead,
after which the cross erected to their memory was covered with
flowers. The remainder of the exercises consisted of singing by
the Menlo Park and Redwood City Clubs.
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