The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-08-18
Correspondence of the KeMOsha
Telegraph.
PLYMOUTH, Mass, Aug. ;


Messrs. Editors 9 g.
Yesterday was great day for Plymouth,i it be
ing the occasion of the laying of the corner stone
of a National Monument to the Forefathers, y
and Monumental Canopy over the plymouth
Rock an occasion of so much interest to al
America ms that / believe you will be glad tc
get an account from an eyewitness.
i will commence by copying short article
from the "Otd Colony Memorial" of July 30th
giving the historical evidence as to identity Of
the Rock, as follows - Basil
Thomas Fannce, one of the ruling elders Of
the first Church of Plymouth, was born in the
year of l646, and died insl745, at the advanced
age of ninety nine years. He was, of course
for years contemporary and acquainted with
the Pilgrims of the Mayhower. In the yea,
l74l, tour years before his death, upon hearing
that a whart(nuw known as Hedges wharf, was
to be built near or over the rock, which was
then at the waters edge, the Elder visited the
spot, and in the presence of many witnesses,
stated that the Pilgrims had uniformly declared
this to be the rock upon which they landed III
1920. This statement was made in presence of
Dea. Z. Spooner, who was present at the time
and who died in 1910, aged IS years, and who
was acquainted with the family of Elder
Tanner.
Thus it appears that between the present
generation and the Mayhower party, the con-
nection is formed by two persons, and this con.
nection is complete and reliable,
There many historical events which pass
unquestioned, whose authenticity is not halfiso
satisfactory as the identity of Forefathers Rock.
In l775, some ''ardent whigs," we are told at
tempted to remove the rock to the town square,
Chen court square,) for the purpose of erecting
over it liberty pole, as rallYing motive in
behalf of the revolutionary struggle which was
then beginning to manifest itself. In so doing
the rock split asunder, an omen which many
though betokened separation of the colonies
from the mother country an event which few
years afterwards took place. A portion of the
rock, however, was actually removed to the
square, where 1t remained until July 4, 1884,
when it was placed IN front of Pilgrim Hall.
and surrounded by an iron railing where it
still remains"
Never, in all her history has Plymouth seen
within its limits SO large number of people
gathered to do honor to the immortal memory
of the true men and noble women who first
raised the standard of christian civilization on
these New England shores.
Monday afternoon the arrivals by the differ
ent trains were so numerous that the hotels
were crowded to overAowing,as also were many
of the private residences.
In the evening the streets were beautifully
decorated and illuminated, and hundreds of la.
dies and gentlemen were abroad to greet their
friends and pass a pleasant hour; at Pilgrim
Hail. where band of music was stationed, the
sidewalks were almost impossible. Among the
distinguished strangers in town, noticed Gov
Buckingham of Conn, Elk Gov. Kent of Maine
Hon. Mr.. Burlingame. Hon. Moses Kimball,
Hon. R. B. Hall, and Hon, John T. Heard,
Masonic Grand Master of Mass.
Yesterday morning was ushered in with the
ringing of bells firing of cannon People CON-
menced coming into town flom every direction,
and at an early hour the streets were full of
life, and that before any of the morning trains
had arrived. About nine o'clock, train of
cars, drawn by an engine beautifully trimmed
with bunting, evergreen and flowers, arrived
from Boston with the Boston and De Molay
Encampments of Knights Templar, Members Of
the Grand Lodge, of the st. Paul Lodge of
Boston, and other masonic bodies and three
Brass Bands. Gov. Banks, accompanied by
several of his aids, was also on the train.
About 10 oclock,a procession of Free Masons.
including the officers of the Grand Lodge Mas
sachusetts, the Boston and DeMolay encamp-
ments of Knights Templar, and others, formed
at Davis Hall, and proceeded through North St.
to Plymouth Rock, for the purpose of laying the
corner stone of the canopy TO be erected over
the rock.
The canopy will cover square space, the
sides of which will measure about fifteen feet.
The whole height of the structure will be about
80 feet Each of the four facades will present
an arched opening, through which Forefat her
Rock can be seen resting upon the floor of the
arched chamber. The angles of these openings
will be formed of solid piers, decorated with
ture; above which will be an ornamental attic.
with tablets containing inscriptions in the spa
ces above the arches and the whole will be
surmounted with circular pediments, the con-
tinuation of which will from the roofs. At the
angles on the outside, between the columns, are
to be placed four statues, representing some OF
the most distinguished of the Pilgrims. The
material OF which it is to be constructed is Quill
cy grami,e.
The Grand Lodge was commanded by the
Grand Master, John F. Heard Immediately
about the Rock was gathered a circle of the
brethren of the mystic tie, who stood reverently
uncovered. Outside of this throng crowd Of
spectators, who also occupied series of ter.
races, risi ny from the shore of the harbor, form
ing scene picturesque and interesting to re-
markabe degree Upon the rock stood Hon
Richard Warren of N Y, President of the Pill
grim Society, who mmenced the ceremonies
with an address, which but for its length i shoe
be glad to give you copy of. In closing, he
said, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons OF
Massachusetts,, all things being prepared, In the
name of the society over which l have the non
or to preside, l ask you to proceed to lay the
cornerstone of the Monument On the Rock
wbereon the Pilgrim Fathers of 1920 landed. >
After a short address by the Grand Master
which was replete with facts of historic interest
followed the customary Masonic ritual, and in
Guiding the pouring out of corn, wine and oil
This part of the ceremony being concluded. al
original hymn, written by Mr.. John II. Shep
herd, was sung with fine effect The following
| is the second stanza:
1--WE consecrate to Thee Oh God,
This psot where first the Fathers Eed;
L FnreYrr sacred let il be,