The National tribune., 1908-11-05
A VILLAGE MONUMENT.
Decatur Township Commemorntes Her
Gallant Sons.

Editor National Tribune: Some time
within the past year some of the old
veterans resident of the village of De-
catur. Byrd Township. Brown County
Ohio, conceived the idea that a monu-
ment erected to the memory of the men
who enlisted from the Township during
the war of 1861 to 1865 would be the
proper thing. To think with them was
to act. Subscription papers We're al
once put in circulation, and when the
returns were in and computed it was
found there were about $1,000 SUBJ
scribed An organization was effected,
of which Comrade Joseph Gayley was
Chairman, John E. Kirkpatrick Secre-
tary and A. f. Liggett Treasurer. Soon
contract was let for the erection of
the monument in the beautiful park in
the center of the village of Decatur, the
oldest town in Brown County. The
monument is of gray granite, and
towers 20 feet above the foundation,
which is substantially built of concrete.
On the sub-base is chiseled Erected,
1905" On the succeeding block is
carved in raised letters the names of
the 1873 men who enlisted from Byrd
Township during the civil war. On
the shaft are the Stars and Stripes, also
emblems of the different arms of the
service-infantry. cavalry and artillery.
of the private soldier at parade rest.
In this the monument differs from
many that are seen thruout the coun-
try, the figure being that of the private
soldier instead of that of q commits
stoned officer.
Saturday, Sept. 12, was the day set
apart for the unvailing and dedication.
All who had enlisted from Byrd Town.
ship were invited to be present at the
ceremony. Your correspondent with
many others embraced the opportunity
to again visit the scenes of his birth
place, youth and young manhood. Many
were the hearty handshakes of COM
rades who had not met for years-so
many, in fact. that but few, indeed,
were the faces I could myself recog-
nize. The day of dedication dawned
clear and warm, almost an ideal Sep
tember day. The veterans and theirs
from far and near by thousands were
present to take part in the ceremony.
At l o'clock the veterans formed in
line on Main street, and marched
around the park, led by the Fairview
Cornet Band, to the speakers stand,
where the services began by Comrade
Joseph Gayley, Chairman, calling the
assembled crowd to order. Rev. ]. d.
Houston presided. After singing "Amer-
lea" feeling and impressive inyoca-
tion was pronounced by Rev. Kearns
preston. While the band played the
Star Spangled Banner" the beautiful
monument was unvailed by Comrade
Jonas Hatfield, he having been the lead
ing spirit in the enterprise. Hon. J.
R. Williams, of Decatur, delivered an
address, followed by Hon. Jesse Taylor,
of Jamestown, o., in short speech.
Rev. Houston then introduced the ora
tor of the day, saying that Decatur
was to-day the greatest town in the
United States. as IT contained the great
est statesman of the age, Senator ]. B.
Foraker. of Ohio. The Senator's ad-
dress was characteristic of himself on
an occasion of this kind, being filled
with brilliant flights Of oratory from
beginning to end. At the close of his
address many of the veterans crowded
to the stand to take his hand and wish
him well. On the whole, the day was
one that will long be remembered in
the annals of the village of Decatur.
What rural Township is there that can
make better showing-IS3 men from
a Township that probably never con-
tanned more than $50 voters at any
time? If there are any better ones,
would be glad to hear from them thru
The National Tribune-F K. Carson,
Co. K, 1920 Ohio, and Co. G, 1880 Ohio,
Bellefontaine, o.