Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-31
MONUMENT TO
JOSEPH DECKER
Unveiled by Spanish War
Veterans at Bethel. .

Fully two thousand people from
all parts of Staten Island gathered
in the Bethel cemetery, Tottenville,
yesterday morning to pay tribute to
the Grand Army of the Republic and
to Joseph S. Decker, who was killed
in the Spanish-Anerican war at San
Juan Hill, Cuba, July /, 1898. At
this time a monument to mark his
grave was unveiled by Joseph s..
Decker Camp, No. 20, Spanish
American war veterans, that was
named for the young hero, who lost
his life at hat time. An elaborate
program was carried out at which
the members of the Decker Camp,
Boys Brigade, Grand Army, Wo-
mans Auxiliary of the Spanish
American war and the regular army
and navy garrison took place. Com
mander Joseph LanZOn, of Decker
Camp, vas in charge of the ceremo-
MES. After the prayer by the chap
lain of the camp, Commander Lam
zon read from the ritual of the or
der, and the emblems in flowers of
the army and navy were placed
about the foot of the monument by
IltliiDtl VI inc Sdl 1
ing this st. Johns band of Clifton
played Nearer My God to Thee"
Then the entire assemblage sang
"America,' accompanied by the
band. Ira X. Morris, Staten Islands
historian, who is a veteran of the
civil war, in an eloquent speech,
presented the monument to Mrs.
Catherine P. Decker, of T~ottenVille.
in behalf of the Spanish-American
war veterans. Mrs. Decker, who was
guest of honor, sat near the monu-
ment and Mrs. Bormann, of Clifton,
one of the founders of the auWil-
larry to Decker Camp, who was also a
guest, was given the honor of pulling
the flag that uncovered it. At the
close Co. G, Twelfth Regiment,
United Boys Brigade, Captain NJ.
Matheson fired three volleys and
taps were sounded. On the monu-
ment is inscribed Joseph S. Decker,
Co. |, list Regiment, N. Y. N. Y,
killed July 1, 1896, at San Juan
Hill, aged 26. After this the usual
memorial service of the Grand Army
of the Republic was held at the sol
dier's monument in the front of the
NtIltltIN .. SOllllldllutl tIl1ldu VI
Lenhart Post, No. 1913, under whose
auspices the memorial was held, was
master of ceremonies.
Following the usual service with
the thin lines of the post gathered
at the monument, Rev. Wilbert
Westcott, of Jersey City, a former
pastor Of Bethel church, delivered
the memorial address on behalf of
The Grand Army. Magistrate Jo-
seph b. Handy, a Spanish-American
war veteran gave an Grafton to that
organization and Colonel Garland N.
Whistler, Z. S. A., retired, spoke in
behalf of the regular army in the
war with Spain. After the ceremo-
MES, a luncheon was served by
Washington Council, Daughters of
Liberty, in Knights of Pythias hall
to those who took part in the exer-
cises of the day. In the parade that
took place to the cemetery about
five hundred took part. The car
riages with the guest of honor and
school children had the right Of line.
Then came Lenhart Post under
command of Commander Yetman
and the Lenhart Fife and Drum
Corps, followed by Co. G., Twelfth
Regiment, under Captain Matheson
The regular army and navy garrison
and the Spanish-American war vet
Grams headed by st. Johns band, un-
der command of Commander Lanzon
and Adjutant Ernest w. Redeke
came neXt and many carriages and
automobiles followed. Early in the
morning the Grand Army visited the
various cemeteries in the fifth ward
and decorated the graves of theil
departed comrades.