The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-09-16
MONUMENT,
To Gen. BILL Gibson to Be
Erected.


One OF the most cleyerly unique char
acters in American history was Gen.
VIM. n. Gibson. Over the old orator
patriots dust, at the time of his fu-
neral, our martyred Mckinley, who was
very fond and great admirer of Glib
son, spoke feelingly these words: ''For
fifty years he has been the most attrac-
tive and sought after of public speak
ers. l do not know of q soldier during
or since the war whose life has been
more signally devoted to patriotism
and love OF country. He was devoted
worshiper of the flag. His voice was
always eloquent for humanity. He
moved hearts by his uurivalled oratory.
His name will be remembered as long
as patriotism is revered."
Profs ssor Kidd. probably the most
famous among American elocutionists,
said of him: ''Inuocent as laughing
child of any art in speaking, Gibson is
without question uneqnalled as a nat
ural orator in the known world"
Similar expressions were made by
Blaine, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and
many other foremost citizens, and Phil.
Sheridan was so wrought upon by one
of Gibson's great efforts that he ex-
claimed to Stanley Matthews, who was
sitting by him when Gibson closed his
grafton: ''Could I speak like that man
would willingly forfeit my stars"
1t is safe to say, that il the Republi-
can party ever owed debt of reverent
gratitude to any worker within her
ranks who had been compelled to give
up his service by reason of limitation
of time, that individual was Gen. "Bill"
Gibson. Never did the party boast Of
a more tireless worker, q more effective
advocate, a safer pleader for her dis
tinguishing policies and principles, q
staurcher champion of what the party
could and would do for his countrymen
than "Bill" Gibson.
In 1874, he became identified with
the old Wing party, under Clay. In
old Lafayette hall, Pittsburg, Feb. %,
1856, he with other patriots, launched
the good Republican ship. He was
there and notably participated in the
discussions of that memorable conven-
ton, crossing lances with Horace
Greely in the greatest debate Of the
convention, and he won out. After that
time until death silenced his eloquent
tongue, in every Northern common
wealth at the call of National and State
leaders, his voice was heard in advocacy
of Republicanism and the free institu-
tions that have made our nation, the
pride of the world.
After the war Gen. Gibson devoted
all his time to bringing good cheer
and courage to his veteran comrades,
and for the last twenty years Of his life
he was everywhere known and hailed
as the veterans's Idol.
He was not only q great orator, but
equally great as soldier. At Shiloh,
at Stone River, and on ffty battlefelds,
he led his command with q heroism and
bravery that have become a part oI
history.
Now his veteran comrades propose tC
build the old hero a monument The
Department of Ohio, G. A. r., has un
dertaken the work, aud Gen. Waltor
Weber, Department Commander, hai
issued general orders. by the instruc
tion of the last State encampment 8
Lancaster, to that effect.
| Connected with the effort to buil(
Grand Old 'Bill' Gibson" monumen
there is an interesting story that has il
it an element of romance. Less than |
year ago, David Dwight Bigger, VIII,
was little boy during the civil war
issued splendid 600-page volume en-
titled the "Life and Speeches Of Gen
VIM. Fl. Gibson" The author, wh(
was a newsboy during the civil war
sold papers to Gibson just after th'
siege of Corinth. After Lees surren
der to Grant at Appomatox, fourteen
years passed by when Gibson's futur
biographer located in Tiffiu, Gibson
home town. A strong friendship grew
up between the two n en-, and they wer
very often together on the platform Of
patriotic occasions. DIR. Bigger wa
requested shortly after Gibson's dealt
to write for a magazine a series OF fou
PARTICLES. This he did.
The articles proved so absorbingl
interesting that the doctor was urge
to prepare book giving the general
life and speeches, and this was afte
some time accomplished. The boo
came into circulation, and falling in th
hands of the old soldiers, an almo:
spontaneous movement sprang up
build q, monument to the famous Obi
orator and soldier. Now the book
ldestined to play another greater pal
in the building of a monument to th
great Ohioan, whom Rutherford
Hayes named the Patrick Henry of th
4 Nineteenth century, for the committs
. in charge of the monument project hi
been authorized to present TO every {
!. A. r. post, relief corps or individu
a contributing $40 to the monument fur
a memorial copy of the book.
Gen. Gibson's friends were as Il
leaves of the forest in number. N
only in every city, town, village, ar
one might almost say, crossroads
Ohio, was his figure and voice We
n known, but all through the East al
ii West and North, and many a noble pl'
dfd ha maka durinu tho war In N