The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-07-09
FULL AND ELABORATE REPORT.

county, nor perhaps Northwestern Ohio,
has there transpired an event which has
excited the mingled emotions of pleas
ure and sorrow in the same degree, and
around which there has cluDg so much
of tender interest and honest apprecia-
ton, as the final completion and unveil-
ing of the Soldiers Monument in this
city on last Tuesday The plan of erect
ing a monument to commemorate the
daring deeds and sacrifices OF those who
laid down their lives for the preservation
of the Union was inaugurated more than
six years ago The idea of a monument
was the offspring Of the deep feelings OF
gratitude which the people feel toward
the soldiers Of the war, living and dead.
They could not forget that the motives
which caused these brave men to leave
home and altar, all whom they loved
and by whom they were loved, for the em-
brace of battle and death, was not avarice
nor ambition, nor any of the self-seeking
moods which ordinarily stir men, but
consecrated devotion to their imperilled
country. In all the wOndrous stories
of national self-sacrilice since, the world
began, there is no sublimer record than
this. Fit and proper therefore that their
| memories should he cherished as a price
less legacy. Into all the pursuits and
employments of men these achievements
have breathed the breath OF a new life;
setting free spirit that is destined, not
only to rehabilitate the Nation, but to
move onward from continent to CONT
nent, rousing up the slumbering nations
in its course, and everywhere working
out beneficial results in the material,
political and moral condition of man
kind. We have said that the enterprise,
now 50 happily completed, began sew
eraJ years ago. Those who had the work
in charge, however, only partially per
formed their task, and for more than
three years the results of their labor was
but counted among the unfinished
monuments" that are scattered over our
fair land. In the early part of the last
and quickened with new impulses of |
generous patriotism, the members |
composing it determined to push for
ward the work to a successful compile |
tiOn. The new organization worked |
faithfully and well, notwithstanding |
many disappointments and discourage /
ments. They allowed no obstacles to |
stand in the way nor difficulties to
hinder them in their progress in the
path of duty which they had marked
out. Early in the month of May of the
present year the Association had been so
far successful that marble statue to
surmount the base already erected was
ordered, and Tuesday, July 9Th, was fix
ed as the time when it should be unveil-
ed and dedicated t. the consecrated
dead who gave themselves to Freedom
and to Truth, striving and enduring for
the holy cause of man. Preparations for
this interesting and beautiful ceremony
were in active operation for several
weeks previous, and everything neces-
sary was arranged, even to the slightest
detail
DECORATIONS AND NOTICES.
The greater portion of the buildings on
Main Street were magnificently deco
rated with flags, forest foliage and ever
greens, hung in festoons and wreatlIs and |
other beautiful devices. At the inter
section of Main and Sandusky Streets
beautiful and symmetrical double arch
was erected, each section having a span
of S5 feet and forty feet high. The
whole was splendidly decorated with
maple boughs, wreaths of evergreen and
festoons of lovely flowers arranged in the
richest prOfusion. Growing the struc-
ture was colossal figure of Columbia"
Pendant from under the arch was a
chandelier of twenty brilliant gas Jets
Two large streamers fastened to the arch
bore the following notices: :'In memory
of our fallen Heroes" and f'All Honor to
our Brave Defenders" At the crossing
of Main and Main-Cro Streets another
large arch 35 feet high, with a span of so
feet, was erected. This arch was also
trimmed ia most elaborate style with j
festOons of evergreens and flowers Each
side of the arch was also studded with +,
hundreds of small flags, and at a staff {
on the top tioated the American flag i'm
all its resplendent beauty The notices
on the arch were "Welcome the Living
uannr L. L
Each Patriots Heart The iron bridge !
was also handsomely decorated On the '
north end of the bridge was the word ,,
Welcome" On the south end were the !
notices, ''In Token of Our Gratitude |
Honor the Soldiers Living and Dead" {
At the Main Cross Street entrance of the : :
Park, opposite the monument, were these !,
notices worked in black, on back v
grounds of white: ''Worthy the Cause t
n which they Fell" ''In Gratitude to !
1ur Patriot Dead" The Court House 4
vas also gayly decorated with garlands a
IF evergreen and forest boughs, while "
It the top of the dome fioated the stars u
md stripes. There We're a great many ',
arge flags stretched across the streets. n
Hundreds of houses, both public and e
private, We're decorated in magnificent II
md costly manner. Never before was 7
uch glorious display seen in Findlay, a
md strangers who were present stated 81
hat no town in Ohio ever surpassed it. III
The visitors spoke in the highest praise .
II all the arrangements of the day. m
at few moments past 3 o'clock the m
formed on Main street in the 1t
ollowing order: va
Findlay COrnet Band. be
independent Military Company. al
Dreadnought Hook and Ladder COMPANY. | di
with Goddess of Liberty on wagon. m
Buck Hook and Ladder Company. bs
Steam Fire Engine to
Steamer Hose Cart No. / -
Steamer Hose Cart No 2 49,
East Findlay Fire Engine. ~ .i
East Findlay Hose Cart. IN
Citizens Gift Fire Engine 1ei
Citizens Gift Hose Cart. w
Portage COnet Band I'll
Pioneers of Hancock County. wi
LENDERS OF Reception Committee Distin- he
guished Visitors and Officers of the ,,.
City in Carriages. nj,
The procession moved up Main Street