Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-06-21
THREE IMPORTANT DAYS
tBy Phil M. Conley)

Decoration day was founded by q
Fairmont woman, Mrs. Julia Pier
pont, wife of Governor Pierpont Of
Virginia, the man who reconstructed
Virginia at the close Of the Civil War
The story of the first Decoration
was recounted in the Pittsburg Post
recently as follows: observing that
the Southern women gave unceasing
and loving attention to their heroic
dead and that those men who had
fought attention to heir heroicetao
fought bravely and died far from
| their northern homes, in Libby Pri-
son, Castle Thunder and Belle Isle---
soldiers Of the Union army--many of
them unknown by name, lay neglect
ed and uncared for in the little hill
side cemetery in Richmond, Mrs.
Pierpont determined that this should
no longer be, and in the spring 1866,
with the consent and cooperation OF
Governor Pierpont and his staff, Of
General Terry who was then in COM
mand Of the Union forces In Rich
mond, and his staff, with Mrs. Joseph
Gordon, Miss Terry sister Of the
general and Miss Betty Van Lew, a
woman known all over the south, ~.
simple ceremony was arranged.
] Quantities of flowers from the con-
servatories Of the executive mansion
and others, were gathered and those
mentioned above, with host Of
children and little military band,
took them and went up To the forlorn
little burying ground and decorated
every neglected grave with fitting
military service.
Accounts of this beautiful and
disinterested action were telegraphed
all over the country and gave rise to
much comment and some criticism
in the daily press, so remarkable was
the fact that there should be charitt
shown toward the bodies Of Northern
soldiers in the still unreconciled
South. AS far as it is known this
was the first real Decoration Day,
but it was not until several years lat
err that through the Grand Army Of
the Republic, May 80 was set aside
to be observed as Memorial Day all
over the United States.
at is interesting to note that the
idea originated with woman, Mrs.
Pierpont and Mrs. Rutherford B.
Hayes were later made honorary
members Of the Grand Army Of the
Republic of West Virginia, these two
women being the first two honorary
members of the organization, and
possibly the only two thus honored in
recognition of their patriotic and
humane services during the war;"
MOTHERS DAY
Miss Anna Harvis, Taylor county
girl, originated Mothers Day. Her
mother died in 1906. The following
year, May 9 1907, Miss Jarvis inyit-
ed some friends to observe with her
the anniversary Of the death of htr
mother. Here was born the idea of
setting aside one day in each year to
commemorate the memory of moth
ers, both living and dead.
On May 10, 1908 the churches in
Philadelphia had special services on
the first public Mothers Day in A.
merica. The observation Of the Day
was successful. During the fol-
lowing year Miss Jarvis sent out
thousands Of letters to people all over
the country urging them to observe
the second Sunday in May as Moth
ers Day in an appropriate manner.
The Governor of Texas in 1912 is
sued the first official proclamation
calling upon the people Of his State
to appropriately observe Mothers
Day. He took occasion also to par
don many prisoners whom we con-
sidered derived to be released. The
governors of several other states fol-
| lowed his example during the next
| few years.
A resolution was passed by Con-
! gress May 10 1923, declaring Moth
! er's Day one that should be national
" observed. President Wilson issued
the first presidential proclamation on
May 9, 1914 setting aside the day as
one that should be appropriately OBJ
sered by the citizens of the United
| States.
Mothers Day is now observed in
MANY fnroion Countries ENGLAND be-
Continued on last page)