Lincoln County NeArchives News.....The Cemetery on Decoration Day June 4, 1909 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ne/nefiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 September 8, 2018, 4:49 am The North Plate Semi-Weekly Tribune Fri Jun 4, 1909 June 4, 1909 The Cemetery on Decoration Day by A. R. Adamson The weather looked the reverse of favorable this Decoration Day morning. The sky was dark and a lowering, and a drizzling rain endeavored to become a shower, but it passed off, and a chilly wind sprang up which blew persistently throughout the day. Unfavorable as the weather was, it did not deter many citizens from repairing to our little cemetery out on the prairie to strew flowers on the graves of loved ones. Early in the morning, people might be seen heading for the cemetery gate. Some in buggies but many on foot, and all with the same object in view, to place floral offerings on the graves of those near and dear to them. It was evident that many had been at the cemetery the day previous to give their lots the annual clean up and make them presentable to friends and neighbors likely to be critical. Many graves of veterans, who had rised their lives to preserve the Union were tastefully decked with flags and flowers, but throughout the cemetery floral decked graves were numberous. Many, however, were neglected, and graves of the forgotten dead were here and there appearant, unmarked, sunk in, and weed-covered; but what of that? The inmates sleep as sound as any with towering shaft or granite monument to commemorate them. The number of young men who belong o our city fire brigade laid away in the cemetery is astonishing. They are not forgotten, however, for the "Fire Laddies" came about 9:30, and marching through the cemetery, placed flowers on the graves of their fellows who slumber in forgetfulness, and will never more be roused to duty by the blast of the fire whistle. Despite the wind whirling dust, the cemetery was fairly well thronged by a crowd of holiday attire, more bent on enjoyment than moralizing never thinking that. "Here for the living and the dead, The weepers and the friends they weep, Have been ordained the same cold bed, The same dark night, the same long sleep." Soon the old soldiers came, accompanied by the ladies of the Relief Corps. Time is visibly telling on our local veterans and their consorts. Many look more aged, and few feebler than they were last year. It is evident that with some life's march is near its end, and before long they will be mustered in and join the comrades whose memory they honor yearly. All gathered at the grave of the Hon. William Neville, and after a few preliminaries, fired over his place of rest. The sound of the bugle echoed in the distance, and announced that the first duty was performed. All now marched to the grave of Harry Brown, son of our esteemed citizen, Thomas Brown. This young man answered the call of his country for volunteers during the Spanish war, and died in the Philiphines. Harry's grave was fired over by the same squad, and with the same ancient, muzzle-loading muskets. The sound of the bugle again woke the echoes, and the cavalcade marched to the triangular burying place of the G. A. R. Post. In the center, our country's flag fluttered at half mast from the tall fla pole. Within the inclosure is a neat monument to the memory of Irvine A. Fort, a North Platte pioneer who was well known and esteemed. He died May 18, 1906. A board bearing the legend, "Unknown dead" is conspicuous, and all gathered around it. The resting place of the "unknown" was fired over, and once more the bugle notes woke the echoes. The veterans now gave place to the ladies of Relief Corps, and they sang "Nearer My God To Thee" very sweetly. Mrs. Orne Brown conducted a service, and at its conclusion, the proceedings were at an end, and all who took part in the services of the G. A. R. piled into conveyences, and were shortly rattling along toward the city. Although the wind blew keen and cold, I strolled through the cemetery and viewed the graves of many who were prominent in the political and social life of North Platte; yes, and of several who were not prominent but unassuming and industrious. The first grave I stumbled on was that of my old friend David Day. I was pleased to find that it had been attended by loving hands, and that all about it was trim and neat. A tastful marble curbing, and massive granite block mark the burying place of the Day family, and an inscription states that Mrs. Ann Day died Aug. 28, 1892, but as yet, Mr. Day's name has not found a place on the stone. David Day was a worthy pioneer citizen of North Platte, and I might add, that the U. P. Company never had a more devoted and faithful servant. He came here in 1867 and saw "the shops" and first round house built, and witnessed our fair city spread over the prairie. He was quiet and reserved in manner, and by industry accuired quite a competency. He died at the home of his son John at the ripe age of eighty sis. Alexander England, another old time friend is buried close by, also his son Lester, who was accidently killed. An inscription on the massive granite block states that "Alic" was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and died May 16th, 1893. He was sixty-four years of age when he died, and during his life time, had many a struggle with circumstances. After coming to North Platte, fortune begun to smile, and by industry and prudent economy he acquired sufficient to go into the sheep business; and afterwards into cattle, and when he died, the future independence of his family was assured. At the foot of the England burying place is that of James Wilson, another old time citizen who was twice mayor of North Platte "Jim" was industrious and well to do, and took a deep interest in local politics. A massive block of granite marks his resting place and the inscription states that he died October 31st, 1900. The compass and square carved on the stone indicates that he belonged to "the craft" and a much faded photograph shows him in Knight Templar uniform. From an inscription, giving the date of Mrs. Wilson's birth and a blank space for that of her death, it seems they indended to lie side by side, but fate ordained otherwise, for she died at Chicago, and fills a nameless grave in some cemetery. The next stone to attract my attention is a handsome one to the memory of Ralph L. Dolson, July, 1880 -- Jan'y 24, 1903. He was a bright North Platte boy who graduated at the high school, went firing and was killed in a wreck at Gothenburg. Close by is the burial place of the Keliher family. The inscription on the neat stone states that it is to the membory of Johanna, wife of Johu Keliher, who died January 31, 1905. She was one of our pioneer women, and has left a family that would be a credit to any community. At the foot of the Day lot is the grave of Warren Lloyd, an esteemed early citizen who took a deep interest in municipal matters and the welfare of our city. The inscription on the graceful stone to his memory, states that he died April 13, 1904. He built the opera house, first for a skating rink, but later adapted it for the theatricals. He had read much, but his theological convictions were not popular, although he was ever ready to defend them. At the time of his death he was serving his second term in the city council. The inscription on a neat marble block records that W. J. Patterson died November, 30, 1900, aged seventy-six. He was one of our very early citizens. I knew him well and can truthfully state that no more straightforward and upright man ever trod the sidewalks of North Platte. He was of a happy disposition and an excellent conversationalist, and I have many pleasant memories of him. His blacksmith shop was on West Sixth stree, near where the Land Office is now. There, "Week in, week out, from morn till night, You could here his bellows blow," and see a display of agricultural implements in front of his establishment. In early day it was difficult to grow any thing, but he always had the finest garden in town. The family burying place of Banker Charles McDonald is about as neat and well kept as any in the cemetery. In the center is a tasteffully sculptured block of granite with the word "McDONALD" in base relief. To the north of this and within the curbing is a granite shaft to the memory of the genial, kind-hearted pioneer, Samuel Watts, who died Dec. 27, 1885; and here and there small memorial stones marking the resting place of membe3rs of the family. Near the entrance is a stone to the memory of Orrab, wife of Chas McDonald, born March 8, 1840. Died Dec 28, 1898. Mrs. McDonald was a remarkable woman who experienced all the perils of frontier life when Nebraska was infested with hands of hostile Indians. An autobiography of her would make good reading, but would be out of place here. Mr. McDonald was one of the first white men to settle at Cottonwood Springs, and do business. He came there in 1859, and Mrs. McDonald joined him in 1861. The were surrounded by Indians mor or less hostile, but Mrs. McDonald was a woman of strong personality and decisive character and adapted herself to circumstances. She was the mother of the first white child born in Lincoln county, and was considered the handsomest white woman in the district, and was called Milla Huska, or white squaw b the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald moved to North Platte when it became the county seat, and here Mrs. McDonald resided until death laid its icy hand upon her. Strolling along, I cam to the burial place of M. C. Keith. Mr. Keith and his first and second wife lie side by side and at their feet lie Mollie Keith and her husband, th Hon. William Neville. M. C. was one of the pioneers of western Nebraska, and died September 29, 1899. Mr. Keith managed the Pacific hotel for some time, and also took many grading contracts. He engaged in the stock business and having faith in the progress of North Platte erected many buildings in the city. Near the Keith burial place is that of the Hon. John Taff who died in March, 1884. He was the first congressman from the state of Nebraska, and was in his day, a well known and popular citizen of North Platte. I lingered by the monument to the memory of my fast friend Dr. F. N. Dick, and recalled many pleasant memories of the old time popular and highly esteemed, physician. Close by is a stone, to the memory of Andrew Struthers who died November 13, 1882, aged 54 years. Andrew was a machinist in "the shops" and had a farm at the "Points" on which he hoped to spend latter years of his life; but alas, how often our hopes meet disappointment. There is Judge Church and other old time citizens of North Platte, laid away in the cemetery I would like to refer to, and may at some future time. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ne/lincoln/newspapers/thecemet17gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nefiles/ File size: 11.3 Kb