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Memorial Day Celebrations in Sheridan’s Early Days
Today, many people look forward to Memorial Day as the first day of summer, a day when families put on cook-outs, people break out boats after a winter of frozen lakes, and on Lake DeSmet, it is the weekend of the annual fishing derby.
But, Memorial Day has a much more solemn meaning. To go back to beginning, Memorial Day begin after the Civil War, when veterans began getting together to rehash the war, and to visit and decorate the graves of fallen comrades. Veteran’s Day, in November, is to honor the living veterans, while Memorial Day is a day to honor the memory of the dead.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It started just after the civil war as a way to honor those who died in the war. After World War I, it came to be observed as a way of honoring those who died in all U.S. Wars.
One early reference was from the Cheyenne Weekly Leader, on June 2, 1881, it tells about various ceremonies throughout the United States.
Chicago, May 30.—Decoration day is meeting with general observance here and elsewhere, banks, exchanges and many places of business being closed.
St. Louis, May 30.—Great crowds of people have gone to the national cemetery, Jefferson barracks, where the decoration takes place at 3 p. m. There are 12,000 graves of federal and confederate soldiers, and all will be strewn with flowers.
Philadelphia, May 30.—The Michael Davitt branch of the Irish land league to-day strewed flowers upon the grave of the grandfather of Parnell in Woodlawn cemetery, and also on the grave of Michael Davitt’s mother, in Manayunk cemetery.
New York, May 30.—It is estimated that 15,000 men were in line in to-day’s procession, in honor of Decoration Day. It included many organizations, workmen as well as military, and the G. A. R. decorations were extensive, especially those on the graves of the survivors of rebel prisons. One man was sun struck during the parade.
Gettysburg, May 30.—The appearance of the city has never been so lively since Lincoln dedicated the national cemetery in 1863. Fifteen thousand strangers, many of them very distinguished, are present. Governor Hoyt and staff are absent. K. C. Burrows, of Michigan, is orator of the day.
Omaha, Neb., May 30.—Owing to rain and the muddy condition of the streets, the decoration out door exercises were abandoned, and during the afternoon a program of exercises were carried out in the Academy of Music. The exercises consisted of vocal and instrumental music, prayer, orations by Hon. J. L. Webster and C. J. Greene. A committee of twenty members from the grand army of the republic visited the cemeteries and strewed flowers upon soldiers’ graves
We have to remember that in 1881, the Civil War was less than 20 years before, and many of the veterans of that war were still alive. In fact, the last civil war veteran, Albert Woolson, died in 1956. He was 106 years old, and was a drummer boy during the war. It wasn’t that long from the War of 1812, which was the last war against Great Britain for American’s Independence. The last survivor of that war was Hiram Cronk, who died at age 105 in 1905. So, in 1881, there were many veterans of both wars that could take part in the celebrations.
Sheridan, at one time, had several activities for Decoration Day. As early as 1891, there is this article about the observations of the day. The Enterprise, May 30, 1891 – Decoration Day And How It Was Observed in Sheridan, To-day was a holiday in Sheridan, the business houses were closed, and the people of the town and county turned out in large numbers to join with the Grand Army of the Republic in a proper observance of Memorial day and to show their respect for departed soldiers and other friends who peacefully sleep In the cemetery.
Yesterday afternoon several veterans of the war pitched their tents in the northern part of town and had a campfire, around which a few pleasant hours were spent, in social conversation and telling of old times and old scenes when bloody war made havoc through out our glorious land.
At eight o’clock in the evening they proceeded to the M. E. church, where Rev Gillespie made a very fitting address and national hymns were rendered in excellent style by the choir. This morning at ten o’clock the members of the G.A.R headed by the band, marched to Coffeen’s Hall where there were recitations, music, a poem by Mrs. P. H. Tinker and address by J. W. Wilson. Mrs. Dillon and Mrs. Topping, teachers of the public schools, had taken special pains with the pupils, and they presented a most patriotic appearance in red, white and blue, with Miss Edith ‘ Newell as Goddess of Liberty. Each had a printed badge upon their forehead and they were a ” very pretty sight. The procession formed at 2 o’clock and marched to the old cemetery south of town in the following order: Members of G. A. RSheridan Cornet Band. Sons of Veterans. School Children with flowers. Knights of Pythias. Hook & Ladder. Co, Engine & Hose Co, Followed by citizens in carriages and horseback, making the procession half a mile long. At the cemetery, the graves were decorated with flowers, the impressive ceremony of the order was read, a salute was fired, and tho people returned to town in the same order us they went out. There was a splendid turn-out, and no community could show more respect for their dead than Sheridan did to-day.
According to the May 25, 1906 Enterprise various events were planned to celebrate the day in Sheridan.
The Headline Reads: On Fame’s Eternal Camping Ground Their Silent Tents Are Spread And Glory Guards With Solemn Round The Bivouac Of The Dead – Wednesday. May 30th, is Decoration day and the surviving Sheridan members of the historical and immortal Grand Army of the Republic will gather once more in veteran hand clasp to cheer the old flag, strew sorrowful but over-blossoming flowers upon the graves of those who have gone before and to look, with the gaze of old and yearning comradeship, into the eyes of fellow soldiers, each man realizing that with next Decoration day heal so may be numbered with the heroic and honored dead. The veterans of the blue and battle torn blouse of glorious memories will form in parade in front of the Cady opera house at 10 a. m., under command of J.W. Cubbison, officer of the day, and march to the cemetery, where the following exercises will be held: Song— America. Reading of Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech— Miss Mollie Adams. G. A.R. ritualistic services. Song— Battle Hymn of the Republic. Address— Rev. De Witt Long. Military salute.
Decorating the graves by a band of girls under the direction of the W. R.C. The Sheridan band will furnish the music. The Decoration day parade will include a generous reinforcement from the United States garrison at Fort Mackenzie,,the full strength of the superb Sheridan militia company and all of the Sheridan fraternal orders. The W. R.C. and the G. A.R. will give a reception at the city hall in the evening. Everyone interested In national affairs is invited. At 8 o’clock M. B. Camplin will deliver an address, which will be followed by a short program
From the May 13, 1912, Daily Enterprise – As the date for Decoration day, Thursday, May 30, is fast approaching, the local patriotic societies are formulating their plans for one of the biggest demonstrations ever seen in Sheridan.
It is proposed to secure the entire eighth company of the 18th Infantry US Army stationed at Fort Mckenzie along with their officer, to participate in the exercises.
All patriotic organizations of the city are encouraged to participate in in the exercises of the day and special efforts will be make to secure a heavy enrollment of school children in the parade. Officials of the city and county will be given places in the procession and will follow the same route as last year.
Automobiles will be used in conveying the old soldiers, officials and others to Mount Hope cemetery, where graves of the veterans will be decorated. where the graves of the departed veterans will be properly decorated.
Mount Hope Cemetery and Sheridan Municipal Cemetery are now one in the same. The original name of the cemetery was Mount Hope. Later the city purchased the cemetery and it is now Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Through the years, Memorial Day has changed from a ceremony to honor the fallen to a time of family cookouts and outdoor activities. However, the Veteran’s Group still decorate graves on Memorial Day, and all of the community is urged to join in.
Poppies are also worn on Memorial Day. These poppies, often made of fabric or crepe paper, are given out for a donation that goes to help veterans. Why the red poppy? The red poppy officially became the national emblem of remembrance in 1920, due to the fact that poppies often grow in unlikely places, especially the on the European battlefields after the battle was over and quiet reigned. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who was a brigarde surgeon for an Allied unit, saw the poppies in Flanders Field in Belgium. In an attack shortly after the incident, 87,000 allied soldiers died, including one of McCrae’s closest friends.
McCrae wrote the poem, “In Flanders Field” to channel his grief.
The Semi-Weekly Enterprise, Volume 21, Number 17, May 24, 1907– Decoration Day Program Veterans and Civilians Will Unite in Memorial Exercises at Mount Hope Cemetery Parade will form in front of the Kirby at 10 a.m. and then proceed to the cemetery where the following program will be carried out.
Song— America. Reading of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address by Mollie Adams Address by Judge H.J. Garbutt of Fort Collins, Co; G.A.R services. Decorating the graves by school children in charge of the WRC
Taps
All old soldiers, sailors, Spanish war veterans and other societies, together with the public in general are cordiality invited to take part.
Today, Memorial Day is still observed in Sheridan and throughout the country as a way to honor those who have died. Flowers and flags are placed on graves, and people remember their loved ones and those who have died in service to our great country.
Happy Memorial Day everyone.
