The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-16
FRANKLIN COUNTY
HERO Is HONORED
Monument Unveiled at ApaIachieoia in
Memory of Lieut.. w. r. Marks.

APALaACHICOLA. Nov. 15.-On Ar
mistice Day, at half after two o'clock.
the monument to Lieutenant w. r.
Marks, which has been erected under
the auspices of the Marks Memorial
association to the memory OF Franklin
county's hero in the late war, was I'M
yelled.
This monument occupies the center
of a down-town park, which has been
renamed Victory Square" The shaft
stands IL feet, is of orlithic limestone
and rests upon a flight of stone steps.
On the face is carved the dedication.
with the inspiring tribute. For Valor."
a tribute this young soldier earned. On
the reverse side is a magnificent
bronze tablet, where Franklin county's
Roll of Honor is written. Here is the
name of every man who served in the
war.
Before the services opened, Mr.. Ri
asked everyone who mad flowers to
lay them on the steps, and when all the
children and citizens returned the cir
Gle was a bed of blossoms. There were
wreaths from the north and the west
from everywhere.
services which followed. All the school
children We're there. To the right Of
the court of honor sat the Daughters
of the Confederacy, to the left the
friends and companions of Willoughby
r.. Marks. On the stand were placed
seats for the immediate family; and
across from them sat the soldiers,
whose names are written on the monu-
ment. The space between was filled
with the speakers of the afternoon.
Hon. Don Mcleod presented the
monument to the city of Apalachicola-
He spoke sincerely, and his well chosen
words thrilled the square. He empha-
sized the appreciation that the home
folks felt for the deeds of our boys
over there. Immediately on the close
of his remarks, Master Charles r.
Marks, the four year old nephew of
Lieut.. Marks, in the uniform of
doughboy, and Miss Steppie Rice, wee
daughter Of Mr.. r. r. Rice, president
of the Marks Memorial association,
pulled the cords and the monument
stood revealed.
Whereupon Hon. John H. Cook the
mayor, with a dignity befitting the oc-
casion, accepted the memorial In clos
ing. he introduced Hon. j. G. Ruge,
who was the chosen orator for the day.
Mr.. Ruge gave a touching tribute to
the man and boy he remembered. From
the first, his address struck that init
mate friendly note which holds every
one. His memories of this soldiers
father and grandfather were interest,".
ing. His eulogy on the death of Lieut..
Marks. and his tender words for the
plause. Altogether it was an address
which fitted the occasion.
Rev. Father Mullaly spoke the bene-
diction. Then Mr.. Medley, marine
throughout the war, blew the retreat,
and broke into the first verse of The
Star Spangled Banner, which was
sung by the assembly.
Reviewing the unwilling of this CEN
totaph, one is struck by the sincerity
of everyone. The reverent attitude of
the throng indicates that Apalachicola
will not forget.
A dramatic decoration of the after
noon was the number of golden floral
stars that ornamented the base of the
soldier that the county lost during
those two years.
Among the out of town guests who
visited Apalachicola in order to pay
their friend the tribute of their pres
ence upon this occasion, were:
Mr.. John r. Marks, of Tallapoosa.
Ca; Miss Miriam Marks, and Mrs.
Drennen, of Hot Springs, Ark, and
Lit. G. b. Knowles, of Bradentown, Fla.
who served in France during the war
and who was an intimate friend of
LIT. Marks.