Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/581

 EISTOBY OF GOODHUE COUNTS 50] VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. Through night to light ; and though to mortal eyes Creation's face a pall of horror wear, Good cheer! good cheer! The gloom of midnight flies ; Then shall a sunrise follow, mild and fair. Through cross to crown! And though thy spirit's life Trials untold assail with giant strength. Good cheer ! good cheer ! Soon ends bitter strife, And thou shalt reign at peace with Christ at length. Through woe to joy! And though at morn thou weep, And though the midnight find thee weeping still, Good cheer ! good cheer ! The Shepherd loves his sheep, Resign thee to the watchful Father's will. Through death to life! And through this vale of tears, And through this thistle field of life ascend To the great supper in that world whose years Of bliss unfading, cloudless, know no end. With the early trains there came people to the city from above and below, residents of neighboring cities, old citizens of Red "Wing and friends of the afflicted, all to join in the general expression of sorrow and sympathy. At 2 o'clock the bells of the city commenced tolling. It was the signal for assemblage. The mourners came, the societies formed at their headquarters and marched to the park, where all were received by the members of the park reception com- mittee and conducted to seats. Along each side of the entrance were drawn up a line of members of the local militia company, while the members of the fire department patrolled the grounds. Shortly after these had arrived came a special train from Lake City, and almost at the same time another arrived from Rochester. With the former came about 500 people from our neighboring city by the lake, and with the latter nearly 200 from Rochester and Zumbrota. A large delegation also came in from Cannon Falls. After the seating of the visitors, the park was thrown open for general admission. Seats had been provided for 2,500 people. These were all filled and as many more people were standing. In the grand stand were seated the speakers, ministers, officers of the day, and members of the committees. Directly to the back, in the temporary stand, were the ladies of the decorating