Highland County Decoration Day 1888
Lead Summary
By
Steve Roush-
Ladies and gentlemen, as many of you know, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since that time, it’s been observed on the last Monday in May.
Math has never been my strong suit, but my calculator tells me the first Decoration Day was observed 154 years ago.
The year of our Lord 1888 marked the 20th Decoration Day, and in Highland County, observances were held in Hillsboro, Pricetown, Lynchburg, Leesburg, Sinking Spring, New Lexington, Rainsboro, Greenfield, Buford and Sugartree Ridge.
Perhaps there were others that May 30, 1888 day, but those were the observances reported in the local newspaper, and they took up an entire page. We’ll not take up that type of space in this humble offering, so after reading all the well-written wrap-ups of these area observances, I was
particularly impressed with the coverage of the Pricetown Decoration Day, and maybe you will also enjoy the words that came off the press 134 years ago.
The beautiful custom of strewing flowers over the departed soldiers’ graves is becoming more and more of a day to be honored as each revolving year brings around the 30th day of May. It seems that with every returning date of the commemoration a much greater degree of respect for the memory of our sleeping heroes is manifested by our people.
The general routine of labor among our farmers and citizens is suspended and all gather together to aid in the ceremonies, if in no other way but by their presence. And why should we not sacrifice one day of three hundred and sixty-five to give thought and tokens of reverence to those who risked and sacrificed their lives and health, homes and friends to fight for the security of the country that we are now enjoying, the fruits of their labor, bought with the price of their blood.
How vividly Memorial Day must bring to thousands many recollections, sacred and sad, of the hardships and heartaches they endured during the cruel war. There are still many veterans that survive to tell the tale, but old Father Time is busy silvering their heads with the frost of age, and one by one they are gathering home. May Memorial Day ever be cherished in our hearts and perpetuated down from generation to generation, that the humanity that is ever following may know and realize that their predecessors had fought, bled and died to save this country from ruin.
While we are remembering the graves of those who were permitted to mingle with us again after the close of the war we must let our hearts go out in love and thought for the countless number of unmarked graves, for while we are privileged to place the floral tributes upon the graves of so
many of our brave-hearted soldiers, there are so many that have not even the satisfaction of knowing the spot that received the mortal remains of their loved ones that perished in that terrible conflict.
These and many more were the scattered thoughts as the crowd gathered at the Universalist Church about 1 o’clock p.m., and after the reading of a portion of the Scripture and an invocation by Rev. Klise, of Hillsboro, a procession was formed, headed by Wes White, as staff bearer, and a part of the Pricetown band. Following were the old soldiers, tramping with measured steps, seemingly invigorated by the memories of war times. Grand old soldiers! May you be as victorious when you have fought the battles of life and laid aside your armor as you were when you sought to fight for your country’s cause. Next were the young men, some who are the sons of veterans, effectually reminded one that they truly were willing to follow the example of their fathers.
The young ladies, ranging down to the little Miss of four or five summers, then followed, each one bearing in their hands a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Then came the little boys each carrying a small flag, emblematic of their country’s colors, and bringing up the rear was a large crowd
anxious to witness the ceremonies.
The scene, with the noble purpose in view, was very impressive. The procession then marched to the Barker Cemetery, and after a prayer by Rev. Barker and a few songs, did honor the graves of Harvey Hughes, Absolem Lafferty, Wm. Faris, Henry Chaney, Levi Withrow, Charles Holden (War of
1812) and James Dale. The remarks were made by Rev. J.B. Faris, also a short address by the same on leaving the quiet “City of the Dead.”
The procession then marched to the Smith Cemetery and likewise decorated the graves of John M. Smith, Melville Smith, James Smith, Abraham Teboe, John Shoemaker and Carey Swain. The Harwood Cemetery’s heroes are John Gossett (1812), Abraham Gossett (regular army), Joseph Barker and Basil Shockey, the last three of the War of 1812. Emanuel Kelso is quietly sleeping in the Workman Cemetery.
A beautiful feature of Decoration Day is the opportunity it affords for friends to place flowers on the graves of their loved ones, and aside from those of the solder, many were the graves that received floral offerings, accompanied by the falling tears of sorrow. The large crowd again repaired to the church, where they were held in rapt attention by an oration delivered by Rev. Klise. Rev. J.B. Faris and Levi Faris were the committee on speaking, arrangements, etc., and by their strenuous efforts the day was made to be one worthy of remembrance.
The Rev. Klise that was mentioned in the 1888 article was Rev. John William “J.W.” Klise, who passed away Sept. 12, 1914 at the age of 77. For 50 years, Rev. Klise had resided in Hillsboro and was widely known throughout the county. He was a prominent minister of the Christian Union Church and served several years as National Moderator of the organization, its highest office. At the time of his death, he was a justice of the peace of Liberty Township. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
Steve Roush is vice chairman of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press.
Math has never been my strong suit, but my calculator tells me the first Decoration Day was observed 154 years ago.
The year of our Lord 1888 marked the 20th Decoration Day, and in Highland County, observances were held in Hillsboro, Pricetown, Lynchburg, Leesburg, Sinking Spring, New Lexington, Rainsboro, Greenfield, Buford and Sugartree Ridge.
Perhaps there were others that May 30, 1888 day, but those were the observances reported in the local newspaper, and they took up an entire page. We’ll not take up that type of space in this humble offering, so after reading all the well-written wrap-ups of these area observances, I was
particularly impressed with the coverage of the Pricetown Decoration Day, and maybe you will also enjoy the words that came off the press 134 years ago.
The beautiful custom of strewing flowers over the departed soldiers’ graves is becoming more and more of a day to be honored as each revolving year brings around the 30th day of May. It seems that with every returning date of the commemoration a much greater degree of respect for the memory of our sleeping heroes is manifested by our people.
The general routine of labor among our farmers and citizens is suspended and all gather together to aid in the ceremonies, if in no other way but by their presence. And why should we not sacrifice one day of three hundred and sixty-five to give thought and tokens of reverence to those who risked and sacrificed their lives and health, homes and friends to fight for the security of the country that we are now enjoying, the fruits of their labor, bought with the price of their blood.
How vividly Memorial Day must bring to thousands many recollections, sacred and sad, of the hardships and heartaches they endured during the cruel war. There are still many veterans that survive to tell the tale, but old Father Time is busy silvering their heads with the frost of age, and one by one they are gathering home. May Memorial Day ever be cherished in our hearts and perpetuated down from generation to generation, that the humanity that is ever following may know and realize that their predecessors had fought, bled and died to save this country from ruin.
While we are remembering the graves of those who were permitted to mingle with us again after the close of the war we must let our hearts go out in love and thought for the countless number of unmarked graves, for while we are privileged to place the floral tributes upon the graves of so
many of our brave-hearted soldiers, there are so many that have not even the satisfaction of knowing the spot that received the mortal remains of their loved ones that perished in that terrible conflict.
These and many more were the scattered thoughts as the crowd gathered at the Universalist Church about 1 o’clock p.m., and after the reading of a portion of the Scripture and an invocation by Rev. Klise, of Hillsboro, a procession was formed, headed by Wes White, as staff bearer, and a part of the Pricetown band. Following were the old soldiers, tramping with measured steps, seemingly invigorated by the memories of war times. Grand old soldiers! May you be as victorious when you have fought the battles of life and laid aside your armor as you were when you sought to fight for your country’s cause. Next were the young men, some who are the sons of veterans, effectually reminded one that they truly were willing to follow the example of their fathers.
The young ladies, ranging down to the little Miss of four or five summers, then followed, each one bearing in their hands a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Then came the little boys each carrying a small flag, emblematic of their country’s colors, and bringing up the rear was a large crowd
anxious to witness the ceremonies.
The scene, with the noble purpose in view, was very impressive. The procession then marched to the Barker Cemetery, and after a prayer by Rev. Barker and a few songs, did honor the graves of Harvey Hughes, Absolem Lafferty, Wm. Faris, Henry Chaney, Levi Withrow, Charles Holden (War of
1812) and James Dale. The remarks were made by Rev. J.B. Faris, also a short address by the same on leaving the quiet “City of the Dead.”
The procession then marched to the Smith Cemetery and likewise decorated the graves of John M. Smith, Melville Smith, James Smith, Abraham Teboe, John Shoemaker and Carey Swain. The Harwood Cemetery’s heroes are John Gossett (1812), Abraham Gossett (regular army), Joseph Barker and Basil Shockey, the last three of the War of 1812. Emanuel Kelso is quietly sleeping in the Workman Cemetery.
A beautiful feature of Decoration Day is the opportunity it affords for friends to place flowers on the graves of their loved ones, and aside from those of the solder, many were the graves that received floral offerings, accompanied by the falling tears of sorrow. The large crowd again repaired to the church, where they were held in rapt attention by an oration delivered by Rev. Klise. Rev. J.B. Faris and Levi Faris were the committee on speaking, arrangements, etc., and by their strenuous efforts the day was made to be one worthy of remembrance.
The Rev. Klise that was mentioned in the 1888 article was Rev. John William “J.W.” Klise, who passed away Sept. 12, 1914 at the age of 77. For 50 years, Rev. Klise had resided in Hillsboro and was widely known throughout the county. He was a prominent minister of the Christian Union Church and served several years as National Moderator of the organization, its highest office. At the time of his death, he was a justice of the peace of Liberty Township. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
Steve Roush is vice chairman of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press.