"Memorial Marker Presented By Spanish War Veterans" Newspaper Clipping
This newspaper clipping documents the presentation of a marker to commemorate the Spanish-American War. The document is the twelfth page in the Frank Gerlach file. The clipping is undated.
Transcription
Memorial Marker Presented By Spanish War Veterans
Some 200 spectators and Spanish-American War veterans from Akron, Canton, Massillion, other Wayne towns and, of course, Wooster, were present at the dedication of the stone monument given to the city of Wooster in commemoration of Wayne’s soldiers by the members of Buckeye Camp No. 51 and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of that organization Sunday at 3 p.m. Judge L. R. Critchfield presided at the meeting and introduced the principals while the Wooster High School band, under the direction of Wallace Franks, played for the occasion. Rev. Paul S. Kelly of the Zion Lutheran Church gave the invocation.
Above, left to right, standing behind the marker are: James Dewar, present commander of Buckeye Camp, who unveiled the monument; Judge L. R. Critchfield, former commander who presided yesterday; William E. Barnard, former commander who presented the monument to the city of Wooster, Rose B. Critchfield, commander of the Buckeye Camp Auxiliary, who presented the stone of behalf of her organization, and, Mayor Ralph Fisher, who accepted the monument for Wooster — stressing the fact that the history of the United States may be read in its memorials from coast to coast, and the it was fitting that Wooster have a monument to the men it has sent to the Spanish war.
Owing to illness Col. Gerlach was unable to be present as honorary chairman.
The program included “The Star Spangled Banner,” played by the Wooster High School band; the invocation by Rev. Paul Snowden Kelly; the singing of “God Bless America,” with the band; the removal of the flag from the stone, and its formal presentation to on behalf of Buckeye Camp by William Barnard; and on behalf of the Auxiliary by Mrs. Rose B. Critchfield. Acceptance on behalf of the city was given by Mayor Ralph E. Fisher, and the program closed with a band number and the benediction by Rev. Kelly.
Judge L. R. Critchfield, who officiated as chairman, presented a number of distinguished guests, including: Mrs. Lilly Loyd, of Cleveland; department president Mrs. Myers, of Akron, a former state officer; Ralph E. Kennedy, past department commander, Akron; Corbett Southham, past department commander, Elyria, who helped obtain the gift marker, and whose wife was a former Woosterite; Tom D. Brown, commander of Charles Dick Post, Mansfield; Mr. Hayes, adjutant of Ashland Camp, Ashland; Comrade Meyers, Akron; Comrade George Brown, Ashland; Comrade Plank, Ashland and Comrade Milford, Canton.
Following the program at the site of the dedication the Spanish veterans and their ladies retired to Memorial Hall, where a campfire was held, with Mrs. Alene Bebout playing for the singing of appropriate songs.