The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-22
ISHICHEST FLAG
in ENTIRE STATE
Thousands of People Witnessed
Its Raising in Oakland Sunday.

I
of the thousands who visited Oakland
Sunday to witness the hosting of the
American flag and other emblems raised
that day to the top of the highest flag
staff IN Maryland, a trainload of Ameri-
can troops on their way from the Pa
citic coast to point east, participated,
briefly, it is true, for the train in pass
ing through town did not stop or even
slacken its speed, but the brave lads
gave the Oakland people round of
hurrahs just as the flag went to its
place on the 120-foot pole erected at the
top of the hill just above the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad tracks on Second
street.
As the flag was going to its place the
Arion Band of Frostburg, played the
Star Spang led Banner and it was dur
ing this period of the ceremony of dedi-
eating not only the National colors, but
also a service flag. Red Cross emblem
and the Third Liberty Loan flag that
the troops went whirling through town.
Many in the large audience were from
nearby points in Maryland, Pennsyl-
vania and West Virginia.
The ceremonies were opened by an
Invocation offered by the Rev. A. D.
Appleton, pastor of st. Matthew's P E.
church in Oakland, after which the
Frostburg band played the National
anthem. The Meyersdale Fife and
Drum Corps, composed of veteran
players. amongst whom was Veteran
Albright, who flied through the Civil
War, added to the musical program of
the afternoon.
In one of the most inspiring patriotic
addresses it has been the pleasure of
many Oakland residents to hear, Mayor
William r. Otfutt introduced former
Judge Ferdinand Williams, of Cumber-
land, who delivered a forceful and pleas
ing speech of about forty-five minutes
duration, paying special tribute to
Lieut.. Joseph W. WEIGH, of Mt. Lake
Park, who was killed IN action in France
on July Goth, and in whose memory a
gold star was placed on the service
flag dedicated Sunday.
Mr.. John Martin, of Oakland, sang.
keep the Home Fires Burning" &C.
companied by the band, and the large
audience sang America" which was
also accompanied by the band.
The flags, las pointed tout by Judge
Williams, were probably the highest in
Maryland-at Oakland, 2400 feet high,
and on flag pole 100 feet high, sur
mounted by large gold ball.
The topmost was the American flag
Next, the service flag with 156 blue
stars for the boys from Oakland dis
tricts, and one gold star IN the center
for Lieut.. Welch, first of the county to
fall on the field of battle. This flag
was made by Miss Prema Bolden, of
Oakland.
Next. the Red Cross flag, contributed
by the Oakland Red Cross Chapter and
the Honor Flag, donated by Miss
Frances Hamill. Oakland doubled its
Third Liberty Loan quota.
Mr.. John o. Thayer. of Thayerville,
donated three pieces of timber entering
into the construction of the staff. 1t is
white spruce and will withstand all or
binary strains without splintering or
breaking. Mr.. E. G. Naylor, of Oak
land, donated and fitted the nine rings
binding the sections together. while
Mr.. John Yellowly furnished the rigg-
ing for the halyards. The gold ball was
made and donated by Mr.. Ernest Shirer
and it was laid oyer with gold, donated
by Mr.. D. E. Bolden, by Mr.. John Hips
ley. In addition to the above named
several Oakland people gave many
hours of hard labor in shaping the pole
and making it ready for raising which
was accomplished last Friday evening
without accident and in most credit
able manner, Mr.. D. E. Bolden having
charge of the operation. Hundreds
were present and assisted lin drawing it
to an upright position where it occupies
the precise spot upons which staff
stood during the days of the Civil War
and which was chopped down by South
ern soldiers on April 81. 1865, at
which time the Jones' raid through
this part of the country occurred,
when they learned while passing
through town that from its head
a National emblem was frequently
displayed. The flag was saved from de-
struction by Mrs. Ella Sheridan, daugh-
ter of the late Charles Bolden, and Miss
Elizabeth Shirer, an aunt of MIR. D. E.
Bolden, who, upon learning of the ap'
proach of the Southerners, secured the
flag and sewed it up in feather bed al
! the home nearby.