The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-27

Although almost siXty-two years have
elapsed since the people of 1T. Recovery
and Mercer county first started the move
| to secure a monument to the fallen heroes
of St. Clair's defeat, the move failed to
bear fruit until couple of years ago,
when eX-Congressnlan w. +. TouVelle
secured an appropriation to build the
memorial, which will be unveiled, with
fitting ceremony next Tuesday, July lst,
the anniversary of the second day of the
famous struggle in the wilds of north
western Ohio.
1t was on the morning of July 7, 1851
that a heavy summer rain washed away
the earth disclosing a human skull on
the street i'll Ft. Recovery adjacent to
the ground where the old Fort had stood.
The discovery induced a search with the
result that the skeletons of some sixty
persons were discovered, all i'll a fair
state of preservation. The citizens at
TT. Recovery held a meeting next day
and resolved to renter the bones.
This was followed by a mass meeting
of the citizens of the county at the court
house in this city on Saturday, August
80, 1851. The court house at that time
was two-story frame structure, stand
ing on the site of the city hall.
The meeting was presided over by
Hon. Benjamin Linzee, still living at
Wapakoneta, while the late A. P. J.
Snyder acted as secretary.
a committee, composed of the late
+. c. LeBlond, Wm.IL. Blocher and John
Brown, were appointed to draft resolu-
tions relative to the re-interment of the
remains. Their resolutions as adopted,
read in part as follows:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
meeting it would not only be all act of
justice to the departed, but an act of duty
on the part of the American Congress to
appropriate sum of money sufficient to
erect a monument in honor of the heroes
of that memorable battle.
Resolved, That for the purpose of
carrying out the above resolution we ear
nestly request our senators and members
of Congress from this state to use their
best exertions to procure such an appro-
priation.
OF the reinterment of the bones of the
fallen heroes, the history of Mercer
county says:
On the morning of September 10th,
1851, all roads lead to Ft Recovery
where arrangements had been made for
the burial of the bones. The day was
clear and bright and practically all the
people of the county were present. The
forepart of the day was spent in placing
the coffin, thirteen, as many as there
were states i'll the union, when the SOL
diers were slain, we're provided. While
the coAins were being filled the people
were permitted to examine the bones,
which plainly showed the mark of toma-
hawk and bullet Traces of the sca1ping
knife were also in evidence. The pro-
cession was formed under the direction
of James Watson Riley. One hundred
and four pail bearers, selected from the
different counties represented, headed
the procession followed by the soldiers
present, ladies and citizens, forming
column mile long.
Again, as in 1851, all roads will lead to
Ft. Recovery next Tuesday and it is
only to be hoped that again the day will
be clear and bright.
Ample arrangements are being made
to care for the big crowd that is expected
to journey to the fort Amusements
have been provided and fitting program
of speeches and music has been framed.