Philadelphia Inquirer, May 31, 1890View transcription
Over in Camden.
Grand Army Men and School Children Join in the Services.
Decoration day in Camden was observed by all of the four posts: William B. Hatch, No. 37; Thomas M. K. Lee, No. 5; General William P. Robeson, No. 51, and General John A. Logan, No. 102. There was a joint committee from various posts with ex-Mayor Samuel M. Gaul, of Post 37, as chairman, to look after the details. At seven o'clock in the morning the four posts assembled at headquarters and took carriages for the cemeteries.
Post 37 cared for the graves in Camden Cemetery, Lee Post looked after the Harleigh and Catholic Cemeteries, and Robeson Post decorated the graves of the colored comrades in the Johnson and Butler Cemeteries. A detail from all of the posts visited Palmyra and decorated the graves of the soldiers buried at that place.
At 2 o'clock imposing ceremonies were held at the monument near the City Hall. The exercises opened with prayers by Livingston Allen and J. Kelly Brown. The orders from national and department headquarters were read by John F. Cassman. Fully 200 public school children strewed flowers around the monument as they sang "Cover Them Over With Flowers." After Arthur Stanley, of Post 5, had made an address, the guards from Hatch Post fired a salute, and benediction was pronounced by J. Kelly Brown, chaplain of Hatch Post.
The four posts, accompanied by the school children and headed by a platoon of the Camden police force, under command of Chief Dodd, marched to the Sixth Regiment Armory, where Samuel H. Grey delivered an address. The school children sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
The most solemn ceremony of all occurred at Post 37 Hall, in the evening. The names of the deceased comrades were read by the adjutant. As each name was called one of the members of the post—who were in line on either side of the room—stepped forward and deposited a bouquet on a casket in front of the altar.
The grave of the late Chief of Police Harry Franks was decorated with a star and crescent by the members of the police department.
Grand Army Men and School Children Join in the Services.
Post 37 cared for the graves in Camden Cemetery, Lee Post looked after the Harleigh and Catholic Cemeteries, and Robeson Post decorated the graves of the colored comrades in the Johnson and Butler Cemeteries. A detail from all of the posts visited Palmyra and decorated the graves of the soldiers buried at that place.
At 2 o'clock imposing ceremonies were held at the monument near the City Hall. The exercises opened with prayers by Livingston Allen and J. Kelly Brown. The orders from national and department headquarters were read by John F. Cassman. Fully 200 public school children strewed flowers around the monument as they sang "Cover Them Over With Flowers." After Arthur Stanley, of Post 5, had made an address, the guards from Hatch Post fired a salute, and benediction was pronounced by J. Kelly Brown, chaplain of Hatch Post.
The four posts, accompanied by the school children and headed by a platoon of the Camden police force, under command of Chief Dodd, marched to the Sixth Regiment Armory, where Samuel H. Grey delivered an address. The school children sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
The most solemn ceremony of all occurred at Post 37 Hall, in the evening. The names of the deceased comrades were read by the adjutant. As each name was called one of the members of the post—who were in line on either side of the room—stepped forward and deposited a bouquet on a casket in front of the altar.
The grave of the late Chief of Police Harry Franks was decorated with a star and crescent by the members of the police department.
