Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-08-23
WELCOME TO VETERANS.
OLD SOLDIERS COMING TO SEE THE
MONUMENT UNVEILED.

Freeland Extends n Hearty Greeting to
the Grand Army Posts and Civic socie-
ties Which Are Gathering to Take Part
in Today's Demonstration.
What promises to be one of the great
est days in Freeland's history began this
morning. Through the the energetic
work of Maj. G. B. Coke Post, No. 147,
G.. A. r., the beautiful monument re-
Gently erected in Freeland cemetery
will be unveiled this afternoon in the
presence of several thousand people.
TO the visiting Grand Army Posts, civic
societies and spectators in general, Free
land extends hearty welcome and is
prepared to accord them the hospitable
and generous treatment that our town is
noted in giving to strangers.
The town today has a beautiful APP
pearance. The profuse decorations of
business places and residences are far
greater than upon any past occasion, and
the reputation of Freeland as one of the
most patriotic spots in the state will not
suffer any today from the criticisms that
may be expected from our visitors. The
town from end to end is as clean and as
bright-looking as newly coined dollar,
and the streets are in excellent condi-
tion for the marchers who will parade
over them.
Centre street, especially, is one mass
of red, white and blue, artisticaly ar
ranged, and the stars and stripes float
majestically from their exalted positions
The handsome arch erected over the
street, at the Central hotel, adds much
to the appearance of the general display.
Neither expense nor labor has been
spared by Freeland people to show the
interest taken in today's event.
THE PARADE.
The parade will form in the order
published on Monday, and at O'Clock
will move over the following route:
Down Washington street to Carbon,
to Ridge, up Ridge to Walnut, to Centre,
down Centre to Carbon, countermarch
up Centre to Walnut, to Brkbeck, down
Birkbeck to cemetery, where the unveil-
ing of the monument will take place and
addresses will be delivered by dis
tinguished guests.
THE MONUMENT.
The monument is of granite and is
situated upon a solid foundation of
masonry twelve feet in thickness. A
circular mound elevated two feet above
the surface of its surroundings and 50
feet in diameter encircles the base The
base is feet and the shaft is 50 feet in
height, including the statue, which is
feet inches. Facing the east is the
statue-a soldier in the position of
Parade Rest" looking towards the
cemetery gate. Below are two swords
crossed, the word "Antietem," the en-
blem of the G. A. R., the word "Gettys-
burg" and an inscription, Erected by
Maj. c. b. Coke Post, No. 147, G. A. R.,
and friends, Aug. %, 1894" On the
base is the inscription, Maj. C. B.
Coke Post, No. 147, G. A. r.
On the south is inscribed "Peters-
buiS, .ho ". n. w. eHlDlGln, tDe WORD,
"Beverlyford, and "a tribute to the
heroes who saved the nation in the war
for the union 1S6l-lS65." The west
side of the monument is inscribed with,
"AppomattoX, the G. A. r. emblem
and "Cold Harbor." On the north is
the word, ATLANTA" the emblem of the
G. A. r., the word 'Spottsylvania" and
the inscription, ga memorial to all
generations"
The shaft was made by j. T. Masters,
of Shenandoah, and all expenses in
cluded has cost the post $2,650. Con-
sidering the small number of members
in the post here, and the difficulties
which the committee met on account of
the times, the monument is a standing
testimonial to their energy and persever-
ance. Though other towns may be
able to erect finer and more costly
tributes to the memory of the veterans
who have answered the last call, none
will, it is safe to say, be more faithfully
guarded than the one that stands in
Freeland cemetery.
NH Ue..