TOLEDO MEMORIAL HALL - 261
CHAPTER XI.
HONORING THE SOLDIERS. -MEMORIAL DAY.-TOLEDO MEMORIAL HALL.
THE practice of annual decorations of the graves of Union Soldiers, was instituted at Toledo atn early day. The first occasion of the kind took place May 30, 1868, under the auspices of Forsyth Post, Grand Army of the Republic. At two o'clock, P. M., a procession was formed at the corner of Summit and Madison Streets, in the following order, to wit: 1. The Union Band. 2. Forsyth Post, carrying the National colors and a large supply of bouquets and wreaths. 3. Citizens on foot. 4. Carriages. Arrived at Forest Cemetery, the column halted, when General Charles W. Hill, Commander of the Post, briefly stated the order of exercises for the occasion. Reverends Wm. W. Williams of First Congregational Church, E. B. Raffensperger of First Presbyterian Church, S. H. Camp of Unitarian Church, and H. M. Bacon of Westminster Church, by request, briefly addressed the assemblage; when the ceremony of placing flowers on the graves of the dead was proceeded with. This accomplished, the procession was re-formed and marched to the Catholic Cemetery, where addresses were made by Reverends George W. Collier of Ames Chapel, and S. M. Beatty, City Missionary, and the proper graves decorated as in the former case. A party detailed for the purpose, and under direction of Colonel Nathaniel Haughton, visited other localities where Soldiers bad been buried, adorning their graves in like manner, while the procession returned. This fitting practice, since that time, has been maintained with great regularity and interest, as it no doubt will continue to be for many years to come.
MEMORIAL HALL.
The matter of the erection in Toledo of some suitable memorial to the fallen Soldiers of the Union Army during the late Rebellion, bad been under discussion for some time, when, on the 16th of July, 1879, different Committees in charge of the subject met for consultation. The result of the meeting was the appointment of a Committee to prepare papers for the incorporation of a "Soldiers' Memorial Association," under an act of the Ohio Legislature, passed March 3, 1865. At a subsequent meeting (July 23, 1879), it was resolved to organize "The Toledo Soldiers' Memorial Association." August 16th, the following Trustees were selected, to wit: From the Citizens of Toledo-John R. Osborn, Frank J. King, Jacob Romeis, S. F. Forbes, and W. T. Walker. From Forsyth Post-Charles L. Young, H. G. Neubert, C. W. Everett and E. H. Norton. From Ladies' Aid Society-Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood, Mrs. D. R. Locke, Mrs. S. H. Bergen, Mrs. Milton Taylor, and Mrs. E. R. Collins. J. R. Osborn was elected President; Mr. Walker and Mrs. Sherwood, Vice Presidents, and W. W. Jones, Treasurer.
With such organization and a financial nucleus, consisting of $49.60, contributed by Forsyth Post, G. A. R, the Association set about its work, with much hope of success. The City set apart for the site of a building a portion of the old Canal bed between Madison and Adams Streets. The sum of $2,736.55, known as the "Third Ward Bounty Fund," was, with the consent of the subscribers to the same, turned over for the use of the Memorial Hall. This sun was from the balance on band of the money raised by voluntary contributions of citizens of the Third Ward, Toledo, in 1864, for the purpose of promoting enlistment in the Union Army. So liberally was such call responded to, that the quota of the Ward was promptly met
262 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
on every call of the Government for troops, without necessity there during the War for a draft. The original balance was $1,500. This soon after the close of the War was invested in the municipal bonds of the City of Jackson, Michigan, being part of $50,000 of same securities taken at Toledo, on condition that such purchase would secure permanent traffic connection between the Jackson & Grand Rapids Railroad (then building) and the Lake Shore Road at Jackson, whereby the traffic of the former would be secured to Toledo. Such stipulation was not made good, the connection being made with the Michigan Central Road, instead. Subsequently the Michigan Courts undertook to relieve the City of Jackson of its obligation to pay such bonds, when the case was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, where the Michigan decision was reversed and judgment given the Toledo holders of the bonds. The same were finally paid, and with accrued interest amounted to $2,736.55, when the fund was turned over to the Memorial Hall Trustees. Thus was the money, raised in 1864 as bounty for Soldiers in the Union Army, some 20 years later bestowed by its contributors upon a fitting recognition of the grand service performed by that Army in defense of the Nation's life. Other contributions from citizens of Toledo carried the aggregate of cash means to about $20,000. In September, 1882, the Association added to its site a small triangular piece of ground for the sum of $1,640. January 4, 1883, the Association resolved to erect such a Memorial Building as " should not only do honor to our fallen Comrades, but be of material benefit to the City," the cost of which was estimated at $60,000, and appointed a Committee to prepare an appeal to the citizens of Toledo for contributions for such purpose. Plans for the proposed structure were ordered. At the annual meeting held February 26, 1883, it was resolved to proceed with the erection of the Building, and to lay its corner-stone July 4th, ensuing, in connection with a general celebration of the day. Such purpose was executed, and was attended by immense numbers of citizens and visitors. The corner-stone was laid at 10:30 A. M., the ceremony being conducted by Right Worshipful C. C. Kiefer, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, assisted by R. C. Lemmon, as Worthy Deputy Grand Master ; R. E. Richards, as Worthy Senior Grand Warden ; C. T. Wales, as Worthy Junior Grand Warden ; and D. W. Gibbs, as Architect. Colonel L. F. Lyttle acted as Marshal of the Day, with Major H. S. Bunker as Chief of Staff. At the conclusion of laying the corner-stone,* the Civic Societies proceeded by Railway cars to the Fair Grounds, whence they had been preceded by the military and vast numbers of citizens. J. R. Osborn acted as President, and read a historical sketch of the Association, when General William H. Gibson delivered an appropriate oration. A feature of the occasion consisted in a Sham Battle (of Shiloh), the Union forces under command of Adjutant W. W. Alcorn, and the Confederates under Captain T. B. Terry, the engagement taking place in a driving storm of rain.
The annual meeting of January, 1884, found
* The box deposited under the stone contained the following articles:
1. List of National Executive and Judicial Officers.
2. Executive and Judicial Officers of the State of Ohio.
3. Mayor, Common Council and Executive Officers of the City of Toledo, and Population of the City.
4. A list of Deceased Soldiers who went out from the County of Lucas.
5. Roster of Forsyth Post of the G. A. R. Roster of Ford Post of East Toledo, G. A. R.
6. Constitution and By-Laws of the T. S. M. Association, and names of Trustees and Officers.
7. Names of Officers and Members of Auxiliary to Forsyth Post of G. A. R.
8. Names of Masonic Commanderies and other Societies uniting to lay the Corner Stone.
9. Sketch of the late Frederick H. Brown, of Toledo, killed in an Indian battle on the Frontier.
10. Pamphlet and Sketch of Northwestern Medical College of Toledo.
11. U. S. Fractional Currency issues during the War.
12. Copy of the Toledo Papers, issued last before this date.
13. Historical Sketch of the Rise and Growth of the Toledo Soldiers' Memorial Association.
14. Sundry Maps.
15. Roster of Fourth Battery, O. N. G., Capt. O. J. Hopkins.
16. Roster of Toledo Cadets, O. N. G., Capt. W. V. McMaken.
The Military and Civic Societies present were as follows:
MILITARY.
First Regiment, Michigan State Troops-Cos. B and G, Jackson; Co. D, Monroe; Co. C, Detroit.
Emmett Rifles, Jackson, Michigan.
Sixteenth Regiment, Ohio National Guard-Co. A, Toledo; Co. B, Sandusky; Co. C, Toledo; Co. D, Fostoria; Co. E, Bryan; Co. F, Napoleon; Co. I, Clyde.
Findlay Guards, Findlay, Ohio.
Fourth Ohio Battery, Toledo.
Co. C, Eleventh Regiment, O. N. G., Lima.
Kirby Light Guards, Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
Gatling Gun Battery, Cleveland.
Toledo Cadets.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Patriarchal Circle Lucas Temple No. 6, I. O. of O. F.
Defiance Commandery No. 30, K. T., Defiance.
Shawnee Commandery No. 14, K. T., Lima.
Toledo Commandery No. 7, K. T., Toledo.
TOLEDO MEMORIAL HALL. - 263
the Association in no assuring condition. At that tine new officers were chosen, as follows President, W. T. Walker; 1st Vice President, Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood ; 2d Vice President, C. L. Young; Secretary, C. S. Brown ; Treasurer, H. S. Bunker. It was then proposed to turn the Building over to the City, and at a meeting April 14th following, a resolution to that effect was passed by the Directors. The result of such action was the passage of an ordinance by the City Council, June 14, 1884, accepting a transfer of the property and providing for the completion of the Building by the issue of $30,000 of City Bonds, the same to be finished by July 1, 1885. The following named persons were chosen as Trustees, to manage the construction of the edifice: Robert Cummings, George Scheets, W. W. Jones, John S. Kountz, T. B. Terry and L F. Lyttle. These, with Mayor Jacob Romeis, ex officio President, and L. F. Lyttle, as Secretary, were organized July 15, 1884.
The Building having been completed, Washington's birthday (February 22), 1886, was appointed for its formal opening and dedication to the purposes of its erection. The total cost of the same was then $65,000, exclusive of site, and was believed to be the only edifice of the kind in the United States. About 2 o'clock P. M., on the clay named, Mayor Forbes called to order a vast assemblage that had convened in Drill Hall, and asked Rev. H. M. Bacon to offer prayer. The Mayor then addressed the audience briefly, setting forth the object of the Building, and was followed by John R Osborn, Esq., who delivered the principal address of the occasion, when Mrs. W. W. Ainsworth sang the National air, "America." Colonel Lyttle read a historical sketch of the Building ; D. R. Austin, Esq., delivered an address upon the Soldiers in. the War, and Mayor Forbes, in the following words, dedicated the Building to the purpose of its erection, to wit : " On behalf of the citizens of Toledo, I hereby dedicate this Building to the honor of the Soldiers and Sailors of Lucas County in the late war, and in memory of those who gave up their lives in the maintenance of our country, and to be the home of the military of our City forever. And may the God of battles smile auspiciously upon this memento of patriotism and loyalty."
In the evening a memorial address was delivered by Capt. J. Kent Hamilton, in Memorial Hall, and a public Ball took place in Military Hall, above. Letters of acknowledgment and regret were read in the afternoon from many invited guests, including President Cleveland, Chief Justice Waite, Ex-President R. B. Hayes, Senator Sherman, Ex-Governor Charles Foster and Governor Foraker.
The Officers and Trustees of the Toledo Soldiers' Memorial Association, for 1886, were as follows : President, L. F. Lyttle; let Vice President, Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood ; 2d Vice President, C. L. Young; Secretary, R. H. Cochran ; Treasurer, W. T. Walker ; Trustees, S. F. Forbes, Mayor, and C. A. Vortriede, County Auditor, ex officio; Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood, Mrs. Milton Taylor, Mrs. D. R. Locke, Mrs. S. H. Bergen, Mrs. Joel W. Kelsey, J. R. Osborn, W. T. Walker, C. L. Young, L. F. Lyttle, J. S. Kountz, H. G. Neubert, H. S. Bunker, T. B. Terry, William Corlett, George Scheets.