Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-26
INTERESTING HISTORICAL EVENT.
pne That win Long BE Remembered
In the Annals ofToiedo.

The origin and growth of the Toledo Memo
rial Building strlkingly illustrates the love and
yeneration In which the brave men who fought
so gallantly for the supremacy OF tho stars and
stripes are held. When tho war was over, the
authority OF tho government maintained and
the integrity OF the country fully Insured tho
citizens of Toledo, without regard to creed or
party, felt that the struggle and sacrifice OF the
soldiers who had so bravely fought aud nobly
died to preserve the Union, should be, in some
way, suitably remembered. Both citizens, ex.
soldiers and members of the u. \. H., held trc-
quent meetings and consultations In relation to
the matter. 1t was known that there was con
siderable money from various funds lying over
money colloetedand subscribed by the patriot.
ic people of Lucas county, toward tho ward, city
and county bounty fund. other cities and
counties In the State held similar unused funds
and general law was passed by the Legislature
allowing this money to be used for the erection
of memorial shafts and in other ways In which
the valor, bravery and patriotism OF our dead
soldiers could be commcmoratcd.
Ten years ago the Mcporial Association OF To-
ledo was orgaized and chartered under the laws
OF the State. After due consideration II was dc
cided by the Association that instead OF o
monumental shaft OF such like memento, an
elegant Memorial building should be erected
"a building at once useful and ornamental'
| The Association embarked in the enterprise
| with something like $4,000 in hand. This
money had been handed over to the treasurer of
| the Association from the various funds already
mentioned. The city of Toledo then decided to
| the Association the site of the present building.
1t was hoped and expected that tho balance
necessary to complete the building could be oh.
taincd through solicitation, voluntary subscrip-
tion and entertainments of various kinds
| Work on the building was commenced right
| away. When the foundation and first story was
completed 1t was found that some $4,000 had
been laid out. The corner stone was laid on
July 4, 1888, and steps were ut once,taken to de-
wise means OF pushing the hall to completion.
The trustees of the association finding the funds
| in their hands so nearly exhausted, conceived
the idea OF asking the city to complete the bull
ding and holding 1t as the owner fot the use of
the city military, with the exception of Memo
| rial Hall proper, which was to remain in the
hands of the trustees of the Memorial Associa
tion as a relic room and memento of the gallant
soldiers forever. 1t should have been stated
| that the original design and conception of the
trustees was in conformity with this plan-that
| is, that it should remain monument to the old
| soldiers and, at the same time, be OF practical
use to the city us u military depot The owner.
ship, however was to remain in the hands Of the
original founders-the trustees of the association.
But the completion of the building was found to
require such large sum of money that the trus-
tees dcspaired OF ever being able to raise the
| necessary fund by private subscription or other
| wise,
They therefore made this tender to the city,
that they would relinquish their claim upon
the building together with the $4,000 already
expended, on condition that the city should ac-
cept 1t and carry the building to completion ac'
cording to the existing plans, reserving to them
selves. however, the exclusive right, use and con-
troll OF Memorial Hall proper-that part embra-
cling the first floor-forcver These terms were
accepted in behalf of the city, and n board of
trustees appointed by the judges OF the Common
Pleas Court and placed in possession of the
building under n law of the State. The build
ing was then pushed rapidly forward, until a
year ago when fire destroyed all except the
walls. The loss by the fire was $1,000. The in
surance on the building at the time was only
$1,000. thus making loss of $4,000. Since that
mishap the building has been completed and
stands to-day monument to the benevolence,
patriotism and love OF the people OF Lucas coun-
ty, as well as an everlasting memento to the
brave men who "fought and bled and fought
again" that the integrity OF the Union might be
maintained.
The entire cost of the building will reach
somewhere In the neighborhood of $4,000, but
as an old soldier said to a Bee representative
this morning as he gazed admiringly on the
noble structure, 'It is worth 1t all and more"
1t is by far the finest building of the kind in the
United States.
The building itself will attract the eye of tho
| afr c n ,,rn lar m RI n tho north
| east corner are two large marble tablets, one
bearing the inscription Erected by the Toledo
| Soldiers Memorial Association. This corner
stone laid July 4, 1885," The other reads:
In Honor
| of the