West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-11-05
Historical Sketch
OF THE PRESTON COUNTY SOL
DIERS' MONUMENT.

sought,
And mourncd because we found
it naught.
Over ten years ago the move
mcnt started TO build a monu.
mont TO the Soldiers of Preston
County, and when we consider
that 2,250 men went from this
county into the Federal Army to
battle for the old flag and help
put down the greatest Rebellion
in the worlds history, we wonder
that this movement did not origi-
nate long ago, but now almost
forty years after the war we have
a solid piece of an Memoriam"
that will endure to the honor and
memory of "Our Brave Boys in
Blue" long after they have all
answered the last roll-call.
On April 20, 1898, at a meet
ing of Kelley Post, No. Ill, of
Kingwood, Capt. ]. E. Murdoch
moved that steps be taken towards
erecting monumental the men,
DRY of the Soldiers of Preston
County. The matter was favor
ably discussed by the Post and a
committee composed of George w.
Hartsell, ID. Y. Morris and J. f.
Murdoch, was appointed to take
charge of the matter. June "a,
1893, Capt. Murdoch was elected
Treasurer, and Feb. "a, 1894, G.
w. Hartsell was appointed by the
Post TO solicit subscriptions. On
May A, 1896, Capt. J. NJ. Goodwin
was elected President, ID. Y. Nor
ris, Secretary, and Capt. ]. Il.
Murdoch, Treasurer, of the Monu-
ment Association, and this organ
ization continued till the death of
Capt. Goodwin.
Among the old veterans who
have been specially active in the
good work of securing the monu-
ment we are all so proud of are
George w. Hartsell of ReedsyilIe,
A. G. Scott of Independence, b.
+. Fraley of Terra Alta, and Major
U. N. Orr, Capt. J. Z. Murdoch,
ex-Sheriff Leroy Shaw, Comman-
der III. NJ. Hayden, David Y.
Morris, William +. Menear, DR..
j. III. Manown, and the late Capt.
j. NJ. Goodwin, of Kingwood.
Mr.. Hartsell did more canvass
ing and solicited more subscrip-
tons than anyone else, and in
honor of his services was unani-
mously elected by the Committee
on Arrangements to hoist cold
Glory" to the top of the monu-
ment and supervise the unwilling.
The work of securing funds
dragged slowly along for several
years, and finally a public meet
ing was held by the citizens Of
KingwoOd, and a Kingwood Dis
trict Auxiliary Committee was
appointed composed of James w.
Flynn, Neil J. Fortney II. S.
Whetsell, Leroy Shaw and ].
Slidell Brown. This Committee
organized by electing Mr.. Flynn,
Chairman, Mr.. Whetsell, Score
tary, and Mr.. Brown, Treasurer.
Several moves were made to raise
money. Three ladies, Mrs. Z. N.
Orr, Mrs. Leroy Shaw and Mrs.
w. NJ. jenkins, were appointed to
hold a big festival in the Court
House, and about $3.50 was raised
in this way.
Then a contest for a gold watch
was arranged between Miss Jen-
ME Brand, Of Kingwood, and Miss
Carrie Frantz, Of Tunnelton. The
former received about $50 and
the latter about $50, making 5000
more on tie Monument Fund.
Both young ladies were awarded
gold watches, the former first
prize, a $50 watch, and the latter
a S15 watch. An effort was made
70 get all tho districts at work ia
similar manner, and Lyon dis
trict fell into line and raised n
handsome sum.
II was decided 10 forrh q Sol
diers Monument Incorporation
and secure a charter from the
State The charter members were
Hon. w NJ o. Dawson. p. J..
crcgan, n J. Fortney, WIN. G..