The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-06-04
Memorial Services
Faitm6pt r E D No |.

me columns OF your valuable paper
that may chronicle a few events
which may do doubt Interest some Of
my comrades Of Mead Post, as well
as others With whom 1 was recently
associted, For more than twenty
years ] have the record OF never fall.
Ing in a single instance Of attending
divine services as a member OF Mead
Post on the Sabbath proceeding the
Goth Of May In the city OF FaIrmont.
and felt sorry somewhat when 1 re-
turned home on the eth and read In
the Daily West Vlrgin,an the eloquen.
patriotic, forc!ble address delivered
10 the members OF Mead Post by the
Rev. Broomdeld on that occasion. |
was Invited some time ago to conduct
a memorial service for Gooch Post,
No. s.. located at Rymer. By my good
natured, big.hearted. Jolly comade Of
Maalsby's Battery, Col. John NJ. Nil.
Ian, who at the present time IS adiu.
tant Of their Post, and having accepted
the Invitation with the assurance that
/ would not tisappoiRt them they
met me- at Warrington and drove me
out 10 Rymer Saturday evening. Stop.
ping with Ccmrade MILAN and Aunt
Annie as they are Familiarity known,
and enjoyed their Inequalities and
pleasant associations for the night. On
Sunday morning ] visited the Grand
Army hall which belongs to Comrade
Ash Hamilton. which Is beautifully
decorated and also looking upon the
many souvenirs which had been pre-
sented to the Post, and among other
things their charter which. bears my
signature as Adjutant General OF the
Department Of West Virginia G. A. R.
at that time, which reminded me Of
the many duties and responsibilities
Of the Office After attending Sunday
school al the church in the morning
with Col. MILAN, wh okindly c~haperon.
ed our case during our visit and as we
returned to his home again We were
met there By a sou Of Steve Wilson,
another member Of M%aulsby's Battery.
with an order from him to take us
dead or alive and as We were each
Of lis above the average ayoirdupoise
he preferred taking US alive, SO we
repaired 10 the hospitable mansion.
where We we're agrseably entertained
till the hour for memorial services.
e:3O p. N. A short time before the
hour for services the Post assembled
at their hall with the Ladies Aid So.
ciety, just recently organized, and
with thin red shoulder straps deslgaat.
Ing their several ranks from captain
TO the lowest non.conuIssioned officer,
marched with the Pos, to the church.
where the children Of the Sunday
school gave the flag salute and the
programme Of the memorial services
were then taken up By the command.
er. ". J. Kerns, the introduction OF
which was presented in a manner
Characteristic CT the patriotism, the
zeal and that fratsrnal fellowship
which ever remain IN the hearts Of
the old boys Of the sixties. II was
my pleasure to not only have those
noble women who had so recently or.
GanIzed their aid society especially
for the benefit Of Gooch Pest and TO
whom | greeted as Mrs. Captain"
Spencer's famous Battery, but / had
also the presiding elder of Morgan.
town district, who attended the ser.
vices and at the close delivered n very
appropriate tribute Of respect TO the
old hoys. ] have never attended at
any time In NY lie a service where
the people appreciated and seemed to
be more impressed with the suhlimi.
~ Of the occasion than we're the good.
patriotic people Of Rymer at this time,
and ! regard The privilege Of meeting
them as an event Of a life time and
one which will never be erased from
memoryis tablet. The services closed
with a very appropriate recitation by
Col. MILAN. a select song by request
and a reception 10 The G. 4. R., after
which We were the invited guests OF
Mrs. Captain Spencer and her genial
husband, 3, l.. Spencer, Esq. for the
evening. later visiting Comrade Ash
Hamilton, remaining with him oyer
night, and by him vas kindly furnish.
ed transportation 10 Warrington next
day, arriving home late in the even.
Ing with the recollection of having
spent two Of the most pleasant days OF
my life. Respectfully.
THOMAS N. SwlSHER.
Fairmont, W. Va. June 4. '0T.
Editor West Virginian:
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