14 January 1880 (Saturday)

Report of the Slate Trade for 1879

Total shipments (from Slatington)

• roofing slate = 81,402 squares (Note that a square covers one hundred square feet.)
• school slates = 40,486 cases
• mantels = 1,173 cases
• blackboards = 243 cases
• 40 squares of roofing slate to a railroad car = 2,035 cars
• 180 cases of school slates to a railroad car = 225 cars

29 May 1880 (Saturday)

DECORATION DAY

The decoration of the graves of those who gave up all for their country, and through whose death we now enjoy the blessings of unity and peace, was participated in by a goodly portion of our population, on Saturday. The ceremonies were conducted by members of the

Grand Army of the Republic and were beautiful and appropriate in their simplicity. In no way would we more significantly express our love and veneration tor the dead soldiers then by thus strewing their graves each year with the first sweet flowers of springtime, and we hope the beautiful custom, so perfectly developed may never be suffered to fall into disuse. It is elevating in its influence and deserves to be maintained for all time. The influence of such movements is ever for good. It rouses patriotism, and inspires confidence that patriotic service will be fully appreciated.

   Memorial Day parade 2014 in Union cemetery, Slatington; photo used with permission of The Times News (Lehighton)

Company H. headed by the Hope Cornet Band of Slatington, marched up Main St., between 2 and 3 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and proceeded to the Frieden’s burying ground.  Where they decorated the graves of six or eight soldiers who are buried there. As the "Rifles” passed up Main Street, many a fair lady tossed them a handsome bouquet to place over the graves of the dead heroes, thus showing that they too are impressed with a sense of the service rendered by those now dead. After decorating the graves in the Frieden's burying ground, the procession retraced its steps and performed like ceremonies In the Evangelical and the Union Cemeteries, and thence marched to the Fairview cemetery where there was but one soldier’s grave to be decorated. The band played a solemn dirge as the processions surrounded the spot. The color bearers of the G.A.R. and of the "Rifles" placed the stars and stripes of our country over the grave, while D. D. Jones, in expressive language opened the ceremonies. Flowers were strewn on the grave, and D. D. Roper, Esd., delivered an address. His remarks were appropriate and in keeping with the solemn occasion. He believes that each year that rolls around but strengthens the regard of the living for the dead, and that it will finally culminate in a hero-worship as pure and inspiring as the world has ever seen. From Fairview the procession proceeded to the Welsh cemetery, and from thence to the Armory, where it disbanded. The ranks of the veterans are being rapidly depleted by death, and soon the entire roll will be called on the other side. Yet, it is a source of gratification to them now that a grateful people will ever recollect their sufferings and sacrifices.

From the Lilly of love that uncloses
In the glow of a festival kiss,
On the wind that is heavy with roses,
And shrill with the bugles of bliss,
Let if float o’er the mystical ocean
That breaks on the kingdom of night—
Our oath of eternal devotion
To the heroes who died for the right!

To the clouds and the mountains we breathe it,
To the freedom of planet and star,
Let the tempests of ocean enwreath it,
Let the winds of the night bear it far,
Our oath that ‘till manhood shall perish,
And honor and virtue are spread,
We are true to the cause that they cherish,
And eternally true to the dead.

 

Sources: The Slatington News (14 January 1880) and (2 June 1880)