The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-31
Of GA. R.
HOLD SERVICES
Brief BUT IMPRESSIVE exEa.
ClSES HELD AT SOLDIERS
AND SAILORS MONUMENT.
Col S Lennon Reeltes History Of
Building Of Memorial and It's
Unwilling in 1898.
Brief but impressive exercises were

Brief but impressive exercises were
held last evening by the Ladies. OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic at the
soldiers and Sailors. monument on
the city hall lawn The exercises
were preliminary TO those held In the
odd Fellows hall. beginning shortly
after : o'clock. The monument was
can flags and flowers.
The services were attended by
number OF old soldiers. wives and
widows of veterans. and dozens OF
school children. The feature of the
program was short but interesting
and instructive address by Col ;.
Lennon. prominent member of the
j. ". Holiday. G.. A. r.. Post, who
told OF the history of the building OF
the monument.
The exercises were opened with
the audience singing Battle HYMN
Hall. sopranoist. who had charge OF
the musical program. Prayer was
offered by Mrs. Anna Greer. past pres
ident OF the West Virginia depart
ment OF the organization. She ana
Mrs. VI. Anna Hall. had charge Of the
services. Captain Charles T. Reed.
the golden voiced veteran tenor. sang
with much feeling several old-time
songs. including The Vacant Chair"
"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"
and Just Before the Battle. Mother"
Col W. II. c. Curtis gave a short
talk. Following a beautiful duet by
William and Leonard Dyus. young
brothers, the audience sang with
much spirit other old songs.
History Of Monument.
Col. Lennon gave a brief outline of
the erection Of the monument. which
is the finest memorial in this state TO
the Union soldiers and sailors. He
said that just at the close OF the war
concert was given in the public hall
that occupied the ground on which
today stands the city building. The
affair was called the sanitary asso-
citation" which was organized to raise
funds for the sick and wounded sold
iers and sailors and their families.
There are few living today who took
part in the musical program of the
entertainment Among those surviv-
ing is Mrs. NJ. Anna Hall. who sang
several solos. shortly after the en-
tertainment peace was declared and
there were about $4,000 in the treas
ury. This was invested and increased
double Four thousand dollars were
added. and the monument, costing
$4,000. was erected.
This monument" said Col Lem
mon. was unveiled on Memorial Day
just thirty-three years ago. The GER,
monies were attended by the largest
crowd that ever assembled in this
as being one of the largest GATHERINGS
in the history of the city. The parade
was the longest G.. \ r procession
ever held in this community. The
greater part Of the veterans who
marched with happy steps that day
have long laid down their arms and
have Joined the Army OF Eternity. This
monument was erected under the aus
pieces al The J. w. Holiday G 4 r
Post. assisted by the posts OF Bellaire
and Martins Ferry. Ohio. and the wo-
mems allied organizations.
Veterans OF 1872 War.
"A feature OF the unvciling OF tTli
monument was one that will never BE-
seen In this world again: the honored
guests Of the ceremonies were three
veterans Of the War OF 1872. who at
tended I'm carriages. They were all
Of this community and were past nine
" years old. They have long been Ia
their graves Nearly all the PRINCIPALS
Of the unyeiling OF this monument.
more than a score and ten years aEo.
have answered the last call. and after
We have Joined them this silent tribute
will stand as the memorial beacon OF
love. fidelity. honor and glory 10 the
men W DO gave up their lives that this
country should not be torn asunder
The coming generation will look upon
this monument with respect 10 ne
hen We shall be moldering IN our
graves