Evening star., 1926-05-25
MARION, O., BEGINS
HARDING MEMORIAL
Home Town to Lay Corner
Stone of $500, 900 Tomb
on Memorial Day.
BY Consolidated Press.

BY Consolidated Press.
MARION, Ohio. May 25.--This lit
tie Ohio town that knew the late
President Harding as just plain War
rem Harding, one of its foremost citi-
zens and editor Of home town paper,
and saw him rise from the printers
stick to the greatest honor his nation
could give him. again is preparing to
pay him homage.
Marion has never forgotten War
rem Harding. the man who brought
it fame. When Harding suddenly was
lifted to he Repuelcan "a mo nomination I7ntte1
States on that Saturday afternoon
back in June. 1920, Marion reveled in
the glory Of its foremost citizen.
And throughout that Summer cam
paign 1t felt Justly proud of its front
porch" the most famous front porch,
it thought. in all the world. Then
came Mr.. Harding's election and
Marion settled back to watch with
dentila chair.
Warren Harding's death was
stab to the heart of Marion. 1t re-
ceived it's dead with reverence and
mourning. And now, years later,
nearly every public building and busi-
ness room here boasts a picture of
the late President.
Soldiers Ever on Guard.
Since the Presidents body was laid
20 rest in a temporary vault in the
Marion Cemetery guard of the
United States Army has constantly
watched the tomb. And since the
death of the late President, and like
wise since the death of Mrs. Harding.
Marion has made it's plans for a me-
mortal to them.
-
realized Memorial day. May 80, when
the corner stone of the 100000 me-
mortal tomb will be laid with all the
dignity and ceremony Marion can
give it. Fully $4,000 persons are ex-
pected to see Vice President Dawes
lay the stone. using the same trowel
that President Harding used when he
laid the corner stone of the Masonic
Temple of Ketchikan Lodge, No. 159,
r. and A. NJ, at ketchikan, Alaska,
July S, 1923, during his ill.fated Alas.
kan trip.
Surrounding the Vice President will
he Postmaster General New. Ohio's
two Senators. s. d. Fess and F. B.
Willis: Gov. Donahey. Rev. John 7.
McNicholas. Archbishop of Cincin-
natl: Or. Jesse Swank, superntend-
ent of the Dayton district of the Meth
odjst Episcopal Church: former Sena-
tor Joseph +. Frelinghuysen of New
Jersey and George B. Christian Jr.,
former private secretary to President
Harding. -
The laying of the corner stone Is
10 be truly representative of Marion.
All lodges, societies and CLUBS OF
which President Harding was a mem
ber will take part in the exercises,
and each will place some memento
in the stone. The bound volume OF
the proceeding of the congressional
memorial services for the late Presi.
dent will be placed in the box, as will
be a COPY of the Marion Star of which
Warren Harding was owner and
tditor from 1854 until 1923. The is
sue of the newspaper will be of the
date of the election of President
Harding.
The Republican Glee Club of Colum-
bus and the band of the Ohio Soldiers
and Sailors Orphan Home will sing
and play the favorite songs of the
IIardings.
And, while not officially taking part
in the ceremonies. one of the most
interested persons will he DR.. George
Harding, the aged father Of the late
President. DR.. Harding has just re- |
turned to Marion from the South to
he present when his home town pays |
one of it's last tributes to it's most |
illustrious son.
Daily the Harding home and pres |
ent Harding tomb are viewed by |
many visitors to the city. The home |
has been made a temporary museum |
with the purpose Of raising sufficient |
funds to maintain it and build a per. |
manent museum.