Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-04-21
CONFEDERATE MONUMENT
Exercises in Connection With Laying
OF Corner Stone Held In Rock Hill.


Grand Master of South Carolina
Masons Presided at Ceremony
Grafton of Occasion Delivered by j.
c. Hardin-Daughters Of Confed-
eraey Entertained Veterans at De-
Iishtful Dinner.
(By a Staff Correspondent.)
| Rock Hill, April 1S.-Daughters of
the Confederacy, Confederate veterans,
city officials, grand officers of the Ma
sonic fraternity and the general public
of Rock Hill and vicinity to the num-
ber Of several hundred gathered in
Confederate Park near the Fennell In
firmary here this morning, for the
ceremonies incident to the laying Of
the cornerstone of the new Confeder-
ate monument, made possible through
the untiring energy and zeal Of the
members Of Ann White Chapter, U. D.
C. A drizzling rain fell during the
exercises; but it did not dampen the
interest Of those present. Hon. j.
Campbell Bissell of Charleston, grand
master of the South Carolina Grand
Lodge of the Masonic fraternity was
in charge Of the cornerstone laying
which was done according to the i'm
pressive ceremony of the Masons.
There was a large number Of men,
bers Of the local lodge present for the
exercises dressed in Masonic regalia.
They marched from the lodge hall to
the monument site in double file as did
also the children of the Rock Hill
schools who participated.
During the Masonic ceremonies the
usual Masonic collection, always fea-
ture of such an occasion was collected.
1t was announced that the proceeds
would be sent to the Church Home
Orphanage in Yorkville. ... .
Mayor ]. B. Johnson introduced Mr..
Jas. c. Hardin of Rock Hill, the
principal orator of the occasion and
stated his pride over the fact that 1t
was not necessary to go out Of the city
to secure speaker equal to so momen-
tous an occasion.
Mr.. Hardin paid tribute to the valor
and bravery of the soldiers Of the
Confederate and said that it was not
only an honor but a privilege for the
sons and daughters and grand child
r,n Of Confederate soldiers to honor
them not only with marble shafts but
in every way possible. He was happy
that children of the south were the
possessors of such a rich and noble
heritage as had been handed them by
those who upheld the cause Of the
south during the War Between the
States. Referring to the fact that the
thin gray line was growing thinner
still as the months and years pass 1t
was the duty Of their children to use
every care for the comfort and con-
venience for those who still lived.
DR.. Phillips, prominent physician Of
Charleston, whose father was chief
surgeon on the famous Confederate
ram "Merrimac" during the War Be-
tween the States was introduced and
responded in happy speech. He ex-
planned that he was in Rock Hill at
tending the convention Of the South
Carolina Medical Association and the
exercises at Confederate Park had
come in the nature of a surprise to
him. He was happy that he was the
son of a man who had fought for a
Just cause though a lost cause and he
was thankful for the hundreds of
thousands Of Confederate soldiers who
had fought for that which they be-
lieved right 1t was his hope, however,
that as the years go by men will come
to know each other better and to un-
derstand each other so thoroughly that
wars will be no more.
Following DR.. Phillips talk, the
school children led Dixie" and the
entire audience Joined in the chorus
most heartily. Exercises in connection
with the laying of the cornerstone Of
the monument were concluded with
benediction pronounced by Rev. w. E.
McCord.
Dinner for Veterans.
After the exercises at Confederate
Park were concluded the Confederate
Veterans present and the Girls Of the
Sixties" were carried in automobiles by
U. D. c. members to the Chamber OF
Commerce Hall where they were serv-
ed a most delightful DINNER. After
dinner smokes were passed and the
veterans enjoyed themselves in talk
ing to old comrades and friends and
reciting incidents and anecdotes Of the
days of 81.
Oldest information.
Inquiry among the veterans develop
70 10 Mr. I z EldGe of