| Memorial Services in Acton |
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| On Sunday, May 27, Isaac Davis Post, No. 138, with the W.R.C. in large numbers, attended the Baptist church at West Acton to listen to the memorial sermon, which was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Frank Heath. The reverend gentleman took for his text John XV 12, and in a very able and truly eloquent manner did he set forth the noble work done and the sacrifices made for our country during her days of trial, and paid glowing tributes of praise to her sons who went forth at their country's call. The singing by the choir was, as usual, fine and the services closed with the singing of America in which the congregation joined. The church was filled to the utmost capacity. |
| On Memorial day the programme was as follows: Though the weather in the morning was unfavorable quite a good number of the post joined in decorating the graves in the two cemeteries in Maynard. From Maynard the post started for the G.A.R. hall where it was joined by the W.R.C. and all partook of a bountiful dinner prepared by the ladies of of the Corps, after which they proceeded to Mt. Hope cemetery. Here the dedication of a lot lately purchased and presented by the Corps to the Post for the “unknown dead,” took place. The services consisted of prayer by Rev. Mr. Heath, dirge by the Maynard band, recitation and poem by the chaplain of the W.R.C., Miss C. A. Allen, and singing by twelve young misses under the direction of Miss Lettie Newton and the placing of flowers upon the lot by the same young misses. At the close of this ceremony the usual service of decoration of graves was performed by the comrades. One very pretty feature was the intermingling of the very small children, who assisted in this part. Mr. Chas. B. Stone directed and trained them and judging from his beaming face we knew his heart was in the right place. |
| At 3 o'clock line was again formed for Woodlawn cemetery, where after prayer by Rev. Mr. Stearns, the graves were decorated, and at 4 all repaired to town hall to listen to the youthful orator of the day, Mr. Wm. Chapman of Everett. Previous to the oration prayer was offered by Post Chaplain Wilson, music by the band, singing by a male quartet, Messrs. Edgar Hall, Geo. Houston, E. F. Richardson and Sidney L. Richardson, a recitation by Miss Viola Preston, which was delivered in a very pretty style, and also one by little Tessie Smith, entitled “Our Boys and the Flag.” Owing to the youth of the young miss she was greeted with a hearty applause and made her appearance upon the stage a second time. The oration followed and was well worthy of the son of the old commander of the 26th Mass. Regt., as he handled his subject in a manner which would have elicited much praise for those who have been in the field of orators for many years. At the close of the oration Tessie Smith, on behalf of the Post, presented the orator with a beautiful boquet of flowers. |
| Altogether the day was a great success in all its work and a much larger number turned out from both orders and also from the town than any year previous. |