From the June 1, 1922 Skidmore News (Skidmore, Missouri), page 1:
Rain Almost Spoiled Memorial Services.
Speaker Could Not Come, and Regular Military Ceremony Was Not Carried Out.The Memorial Day services were almost spoiled by the rain which fell Monday evening and all day Tuesday. Garland Wilson of Bethany, who was to have been the speaker of the day, did not get here, and very few of the Legion members from the country were able to get to town. Mr. Wilson started in his car, and finally reached Maryville. He called from there, and was told that it would be useless for him to come on, as he would get here too late.
Rev. Reubin Barrett was called on “at the last minute,” to deliver a short address. Out of his own personal experience, he was able to make an appropriate talk without having the opportunity to prepare it. L. D. Jordan spoke for a few minutes, for the Odd Fellows, explaining the things which the order endeavors to do for its members. Miss Vera Barber sang a solo, the words of which were written by a Lieutenant, who was killed in the World War.
There was no attempt to carry out the service as planned, since the rain made any sort of a parade impossible. The few who were willing to brave the storm in order to pay tribute to those who have given their lives in the service of their country, gathered at the Christian church at two o’clock in the afternoon; and after the service there, a half dozen former soldiers went to the cemetery and decorated the graves of all the soldiers buried here. No service was held at the cemetery. There was no salute fired over the graves, and taps was not blown as is customary.
The church had been beautifully decorated with flags, bunting and flowers, and there were more than enough flowers to decorate the graves of all soldiers in Masonic cemetery.