Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-06-02

I It was given to the citizens of Grant coun-
~ TO be the first in all this broad land to
erect to the memory of its dead defenders
OF the nation, lasting monument and al
most within year after the close of the
war there was erected in the courthouse
square the marble shaft which long after
we are dead and gone shall speak to those
to whom the hOnOrs OF the Civil war is but
a matter Of history, Of the yalOr of those
VINO in The hour OF their country-s need
gave their lives in its behalf and perpetual
ed that heaven born idea of a government
of the people, for the people and by the
people.
That this monument should be truly q
tribute of Grant county to Grant countys
dead, an association was formed which
was known as the Grant County Soldiers
Monument association; the prime object of
whose existence was to be to make it as
representative of the whole of Grant coun-
ty as was possible, and also to see that no
worthy name should be left off the list.
This association was made up of the most
respected and representative men in the
county.
No pains were spared by this association
to administer trust repoSed in it. And that
the monument might be genuine tribute
by each and every citizen of the county, il
was determined that the sum of money
raised by subscription should be augmented
by an apprOpria tiou of public funds, so that
each citizen might feel personal interest
in the undertaking and feel that he had
contributed something towards It erection.
OF the gOOdly number who constituted
that association, one only survives and he is
with US today. The Hon. Luther Basford
Tor the 10th time as a member of that as
ISOLATION is present at the annual deCOra-
ton of that monument for the erection of
which he in his Younger DAYS was an in
defatigable worker.
Forty years have elapsed since the
soldiers returned. Many, many of them
have since died on account of injuries re-
Ceived and health destroyed from the
perilS and priyationS of those eventful
| years. Those who still remain among US
are admonished that ere long their sum
mons will come and that they will be called
| to join their companions who have gone
forever.
The chief officer and organizer of the
Mckinley circle of Lancaster, the local
branch of the Ladies of the Grand Army of
the Republic, Mrs r. b. Showalter con-
! ceived the idea, something over year ago,
| that memorial that should commemorate
alike the soldiers living and the soldiers
dead be erected and she set about the cree
ton of some fitting memorial to that fast
! diminishing band, the members of the
Grand Army of the Republic that might
cheer the living with the thought that their
deeds OF valOr were not forgotten that their
| terrible sufferings were remembered. and
| that the blessings which they had rendered
| possible naQ not QulleG the sense OF graft
tude. Ready helpers seconded her efforts.
With the idea came the thought. what
could best express, the mingled feelings of
joy and sorrow of admiration and regret
which is felt by those VINO feeling and see
ing the magnificence of this nation as it now
is vet remembered at what fearful cast it
was bought.
In contemp plating from this distance the
days of the Civil War the figure that is
foremost is not the form of some great
general, some great strategist. but the
figure of the soldier. The most intelligent
bravest, most persistent soldier who ever
engageduin war. The only soldier who ever
fought to defend his country against its
own citizens.
So it was determined that testimonial TO
the soldiery of this nation should be the
figure of the nations real defender the COM
mon soldier. Cast in enduring bronze in
the form of him who gave to the world
new definition of the word soldier, and
| lest the dark hued statue should bespeak
| too much the sorrows of the past and too
little the glories he accomplished, it was
| arranged that at his feet fountains should
/ spring, emblem of joy and happiness.
Today the ladies of Mckinley circle pres
ent to Grant county a fountain majestic
and beautiful, in loving memory of those
| defenders of this country already dead
and in recognition of deeds of valor per-
formed by those who yet remain.
! Stand Oh soldier in the attitude Of rest
| after duty done. Stand as a memorial OF
| what this country has produced Stand as
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