Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/580

 500 HISTOEY OF GOODHUE COUNTY shaped mourning cards, the other side bearing the date of the disaster. These were fastened to the obelisk, in such a manner that at the close of the services they could be removed by friends and relatives and taken home as souvenirs with the tiny bouquets and a small wreath. Just beyond the obelisk, on a stand most ingeniously wrought of rustic birch, stood a magnificent floral tribute, still another proof of the kind and sympathetic hearts of the citizens of Lake City. It was a floral mound four feet square and about a foot high. Each of the four corners bore a different design. On the front side of the mound, looking toward the large gate, was the word ''Hope,'* most artistically fashioned of small white flowers and forget-me-nots, while on the side facing the obelisk, the word "Rest" lay imbedded in dark moss. In the center of the mound, resting on a snowy ground of white roses, stood a cross and anchor, each nearly two feet high. Tin- cross was of yellow roses and the anchor was of tuberoses with a top of smilax. The speakers' stand was festooned with black and white draperies, garlands and wreaths. Over the top floated the flag the motto, "AVe weep together," made of flowers over a black background. A large platform on the right presented a white wall with the following: "For youth is life's green spring, and he who goes In the full strength of years, matron and maid And the sweet b;ibe and the gray-headed man, Shall one by one be gathered to thy side By those who in their turn shall follow them/' On the left side a similar wall had the words: "Let us be patient, these severe afflictions Not from the ground arise. But oftentimes celestial benedictions Assume the dark disguise." Along the whole front of the speakers' stand was a wide me- morial bank of offerings. Those were tributes from individuals and societies comprising varied and numerous designs, of crosses, wreaths, anchors, and pillows, also a beautiful tribute represent- ing "Gates Ajar." At the close of the exercises these, with a large number on several adjoining stands, were presented to the friends and relatives of the departed ones. Besides these, crosses, three and four feet high, were arranged around the park, while many beautiful emblems, presented by different societies, were suspended from the surrounding trees. Upon one of the stands were tablets with the following verses:
 * ii half-mast. Across 1he canopy in front was an arch bearing