The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-06-02
THE VETERANS HONORED.
Most Pleasant Memorial Day Ever OBJ
served In TiOnesta.

toking the fair day it proved to be. Early
in the morning the domieiles and places
of business of our patriotic citizens were
gaily decorated with Old Glory, while
happy children were gathering from the
garden, lawn and woodland the fairest
of natures flowers, arranging them into
bouquets and garlands to decorate the
graves of the soldier dead, or to scatter
upon the waters ''in memory of those
who sleep beneath the waves" On Sat
urday, May Goth, the new markers had
been placed on every soldiers grave in
Tionesta adorned with the flags. On
the morning of the fine day above de-
scribed some of our comrades, among
whom was Capt. d. S. Knox, s. c. and
James Johnston, Daniel Walters and
Hon. r. Bruce Crawford went in car
\ riages to German Hill, and decorated the
several graves at the Evangelical church
near Starr, and those at st Bartholomew
Lutheran church then returning before
noon to Join in the ceremonies here,
About II q. m. the Martial Band of En-
deavor arrived, and the ears of the vet
Grams were cheered by the music so
familiar to them in wal times. Nothing
is so inspiring ms the old fife and drum,
it tells of former days, and makes the
past arise rs in a vision or a dream. This
band was under the leadership of Com
rade w. Emery Witherell, who was ably
assisted by Henry Miller, the boss fifer,
in these parts, Jerry Grove, Henry With
erell and Frank Beatty, who gave us
good and appropriate music until the
ceremonies at the cemetery and the
Court House closed, in short they stayed
by us. We were rejoiced to have with
us the following squad of comrades from
Hickory and Harmony who came with
the band: w. A. Burns, Esq, w. p.
Siggins, Esq, Ira Barnes, Jonas Skunk
w. L. Witherell. besides some from 9th.
er sections, among whom was Capt. VIM.
Mccain, all of whom celebrated with us.
At II o'clock sharp Comrades assembled
at the w. r. Corps hall at assembly call,
when and where a splendid dinner had
been prepared according to program by
the Corps. After an invocation by Rev.
Bailey was given, an elegant dinner was
served to the waiting comrades and 9TH
ers invited. At LIS the Post formed in
front of the Hall, with the W. r. c., and
the children bearing flowers were arrang-
ed in line of march by Marshal Eden,
who fell in Just behind the band, the
Corps going next, and the Post and peo-
pie bringing up the real, marching to that
old inspiring army tune, "Of She Goes"
At the river bridge the children faced up
stream. Corps and Post countermarched
and halted while the beautiful ceremony
of strewing flowers on the waters in
memory Of our soldier dead was per-
formed, at close of which America was
.,.,, -, tho hr,l,n Tho aeen,nh1nxr thnp
countermarched to appropriate music by
the band, and proceeded thence to Riv-
erside Cemetery where the ritualistic SER
vices were performed in proper and de-
corous manner, Rev. Bailey taking the
place of the Chaplain, c. A. Hill, who
was unable on account of his health to
act. The decorating of the graves, and
the calling of the roll of the 81 dead
comrades being over, assembly call was
given and Post rallied on their colors
and the whole procession marched to the
Court House where they arrived at a lit
tie before 2 o'clock. Adjt, Irwin read
Department order No. 10, and Lincoln's
address at Gettysburg, after which the
band played a dirge. Immediately fol-
lowing this the quartette consisting of
Prof Gill, Rev. Bailey, DR., Bovard and
W. G. Wyman sang the beautiful ode of
Longfellow "The Reaper and the Flow
ers, which was much appreciated by all
present, as it was rendered in a beauti-
full and mastery manner. Next came
one of the most memorable and striking
features of the day, the presentation by
ID. W. Clark. p. c., of the splendid oil
painting of Capt. George Stow which his
kind relatives so generously presented to
the Post, and to be kept in the custody
of Forest county. Com. Clark in a we'll
tuned short address of presentation said
in substance. In 1861 a body of young
men organized themselves into a COM
pany in response to the call of Lincoln
and at Tionesta elected Capt. Daniel S.
Knox as its captain, George Stow LIST.
and himself 2nd Lieutenants, and were
presented after their organization on
Aug. 20, 1861, by the ladies of Tionesta
with the old flag at present fittingly used
to drape the splendid portrait of the
hero, after whom our Post is named.
That the regiment rendezvous at Erie,
and reached Washington Oct. 2, 1861.
That Capt. Knox was captain of the
company until Dec. l, 1862, when he
resigned on account of i'll health and
was succeeded in commend on the field
by the gallant Stow, he being the next
officer in rank who continued to COM
mand the company through all its bat
ties until he fell a myrtar in freedoms
cause on May s., 1864 at the battle of
Laurel Hill, Va. Happening to be in
Cincinnati the loving mother of Capt.
Geo. Stow, called his attention to this
picture, which was then being painted
about finished, he was struck with its
beauty and accuracy. That he learned
of late with great delight that the few
remaining members of the family were
willing to surrender this valuable paint
ing to the Post, which numbers so many
of his old comrades who revere his mem
Dry provided it could be safely taken
care Of That the Post through Adit.
Irwin presented a petition to the court,
and Judge Rice made his order, which
has been published, that the same go in
to the custody of the Commissioners,
and that the painting be hung on the
walls of the Court House. In conclud-
ing Com Clark read the following letter
from the nearest relatives of Capt. Stow
now living, generously donationg the
picture to the County through the Post.
Capt George Stow Post 274, G. A. R.,
Tionesta, Pa. COMMANDMENT affords us
great pleasure to present to Capt George
, Stow Post, a portrait of him, whom you
have 80 honored, our brother, one of the
many heroes who gave their lives for their
country. Capt. George Slows father, Ham,
ilton Stow, was one of the pioneers of We
mango county andduring thegreat Civil