Decoration Day 1895 dawned inauspiciously in Chariton with rain, but by 9 a.m. fresh flowers --- peonies, iris and the like plucked from gardens across town --- had been delivered to the courthouse and volunteers began to assemble the bouquets that would ensure that no veteran's grave went undecorated later in the day.
The Disciples of Christs' revival tent, called "the tabernacle" and measuring some 52 by 73 feet, stood ready to shelter those who would attend the program that would follow the afternoon march to and from the cemetery. Located on a vacant lot just north of the Commercial House hotel (on the current Hotel Charitone site), it was equipped with folding chairs --- quite an innovation at the time --- and had sheltered a soul-saving service conducted by the Rev. J.H. Carr of Oakley the previous evening.
Over at the Mallory Opera House on the northwest corner of the square, Jessie Mallory Thayer, her protege Mortimer Wilson and others were making sure musical scores, props and equipment were in place for the final event of the day, a two-part Decoration Day benefit for the Chariton Improvement Association (35 cents for reserved seats, 25 cents at the door).
The performers, all local talent forming a choir of some 30 voices including soloists under Mrs. Thayer's direction and accompanied by Wilson, would first perform the one-act Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera "Trial by Jury" and then conclude the evening with a war songs concert that wouldn't leave a dry eye in the house. Walter Kittredge's tear-jerker, "Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground," would be one of many selections performed.
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About 1:30 p.m., buggies began to line up around the square and those who would march began to assemble on the courthouse lawn, including members of a few groups that have been for the most part forgotten by now.
There was, of course, the Grand Army of the Republic, Civil War veterans still strong in number, but also members of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the first fraternal benefit society formed after the Civil War; the Emerson Club, an organization for aspiring young men interested in literature and debate; and Virginia City Lodge No. 2568, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Lucas County's black Odd Fellows lodge.
Here's how The Chariton Herald of June 6, 1895, reported on what followed:
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The program for Decoration Day in Chariton was successfully carried out, although the rain which fell in the forenoon probably kept many from attending the services.
The procession formed on Main street at half past one o'clock, in order as follows: Martial Band, Grand Army of the Republic, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Emerson Club of the Lyceum League of America and Colored Odd Fellows. At two o'clock they marched to the cemetery, where the usual ceremonies were performed, and each organization proceeded to decorate the graves of their deceased members with flowers and flags.
Re-forming, they marched back to town and took possession of the tabernacle belonging to the Christian church which the Christian people kindly allowed them to occupy. Here a splendid program was listened to by an appreciative audience composed of five or six hundred people. Excellent music was rendered by a choir selected for the occasion, after which prayer was offered by Rev. Ellis, of the Church of Christ.
Earl Lewis, Chariton's promising young orator, representing the Lyceum League of America, was the first on the program, and delivered an oration that did credit to that organization. He spoke of the great service the soldiers had rendered to this country in freeing it from the curse of slavery, and of the fitness of honoring them after death by the beautiful custom of decorating their graves with flowers and flags, which are the symbols of love honor and patriotism. Continuing, he said the Lyceum League of America was glad of an opportunity of showing their respect for the men who had responded so promptly to their country's call, and closed with the remark that if their country ever needed their services, they (the Lyceum League of America) could and would respond with two hundred thousand men. That his speech met with the favor of the audience was attested by the generous applause which followed its rendition.
After another appropriate song by the choir, Judge Chas. A. Bishop, of Des Moines, was introduced. He talked in a quiet, yet forcible manner, which secured the attention of everyone. His illustrations were well drawn and always to the point. He impressed on the mind of everyone the importance of preparing themselves in the best possible manner for citizenship, stating the it requires the best there is in us, developed to its fullest extent, to make us worthy of being called a citizen of a country whose existence today is the result of hardships, privation and death on the part of so many brave men. Decoration Day was instituted as a day for paying tribute to the soldier who wore the blue. Let us keep it sacred to his memory. He closed with a glowing tribute to woman, alluding to the essential part she played in the late war, either as a nurse in the hospital or at home doing the work of two and keeping the wolf from the door until the husband's return.
Mr. W. L. Clapp of the Woman's Relief Corps read a paper on the subject of which was "The W.R.C. as an auxiliary to the G.A.R." She eulogized the soldier, stating that the W.R.C. as an organization was proud of being helpmates to them, and entreated the people to keep Memorial Day holy, as it really is a holy-day, and not desecrate it by making it a day for amusement. Her words were well chosen and the paper heartily enjoyed by the assemblage.
The audience joined in singing "America," after which they were dismissed by Rev. Jacobs and the day's exercises drew to a close.
The delightful operatic entertainment followed by the war song concert under the auspices of the Improvement Association at the opera house, in the evening, was a fitting close to the day's services. The historical sketch of the late war reproduced in song provided a treat to the veterans which will long be remembered with pleasure, as the old reminiscenses and scenes were kindled afresh in the memories of those who survived the conflicts of battle and are now enjoying the blessings of life and the freedom of a grand and glorious republic.
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Here's the program for the War Songs Concert, as published in The Chariton Democrat of May 24, 1894.
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