The National tribune., 1909-07-08
TABLET TYPIFYING CHARITY.

Org of B. F. Stephenson originated with
Col. Chas. Partridge, Assistant Adju-
tant-General of the Department of llli-
nois for many years now. and he took
the matter up with John McElroy, ed
itor of The National Tribune. in 1899.
and the first few hundred dollars came
In spontaneous contributions to this pa
per. In 1900 Gen. Louis Wagner took
the matter up in the National Encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, and for 10 years the funds have
been gathering.
Raising Funds.
This committee raised nearly s26 geo
for the monument. OF this sum the
Woman's Relief Corps contributed $500
Congress appointed as a committee
for the House and Senate the Secretary
of War, the Superintendent of Public
Buildings and Grounds and the Chair
men of the Committees of Library of
the House and Senate. In 1907 a reso-
luticn was passed and signed by the
President authorizing the expenditure
of $1,000 from the United States Treas
ury for the purpose of preparing site
for the monument and erecting pedes-
tai when the place should be selected.
The dedication was happy consum-
nation of the years Of hard work on
the part of the veterans.
The Decorations.
The decorations, entirely Of hand.
some flags and laurel leaves, were in
the hands of Mr.. Frederick d. Owens.
who has made study of the Flag and
its decorative qualities, and the ef-
fects obtained were superb. Mr.. Owens
believes that the Flag should never be
permitted to touch the ground, SO in
all his unvailing the Flags fly into the
air. The grandstand had a magnificent
decoration of Flags, and above the GEN.
ter front was the red flag of the Com
mander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy
President Taft. 1t hung heavy and
straight, weighted down with gold
fringe. From the center front above
the stand foated the blue naval flag
designating the presence of the Presi
tent of the United States. About a
great hollow square were standard:
bearing long bunting flags, all being
looped together with laurel wreaths
the wreaths Joining over the representa-.
tions of the various Corps badges. II
the center of the court stood the hand
some monument enshrouded in flags.
Upon the platform sat nine Pas
Commanders-in-Ch Gen. Louis Wag'
ner. the ranking leader of the creates
organization living; Robert B. Beath. s
s.. Burdett, William Warner, w. c
johnson, Thomas j. Stewart, Gen. Johr
Tanner-all but six of the Past Com
manders-in-Chief who are now living
Mrs. Mary L. Gilman, National Presi
dent of the Womans Relief Corps: Mrs
Isabel Worrell Ball, of the National Ex
ecutiye Board: Mrs. Carrie Read, Pas
National President; Mrs. Ida v. Hen
d-..ks, Past National Senior Vice Presi
dent, and Mrs. Amelia Colgan and Mrs
Liza A. Oldroyd. Past National .Junio
Yics Presidents.
Mai. Stephenson.
Maj. B. F. Stephenson was nativ
of Illinois. He was born in Wayn
County Oct. 80. 1922. In young man
hood he went to live in Sangamol
County. He was a graduate of Rusl
Medical College, of Chicago. ILL.,, in tn
class of 1849-50.
Upon the organization of the 14th Ill
May rs, 1861, DR.. Stephenson was elect
ed its Surgeon. He was mustered II
at Pittsburg Landing April Z, 1862. Dl
Stephenson served his term of thre
years, and was mustered out June "a
1884.
Idea Conceived in Bivouac.
The 14tn Ill. was part of the Meri
dian expedition in the Winter of 1864
In the long watches of the night, upo
the march and In the bivouac Chaplain
". j. Rutledge and Maj. Stephensol
discussed the matter Of the soldier OF
ganization.
Chaplain Rutiedge suggested to Ma.
stephenson that soldiers when mustere