The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901, Part 15

Author: Springfield (Ohio); Prince, Benjamin F., 1840- ed
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: [Springfield, Springfield Publishing Co.]
Number of Pages: 590


USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 15


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The soldiers buried in Clark County belonged to many of the volunteer regiments of the Union Army ; to many independent companies or batteries, and to the regular army or navy, and to all arms of the service; generally they died where they fell or in military hospitals of wounds received in battle. or of disease con- tracted in war service ; some, there buried, died of starvation in Southern prisons. They signify the full measure of self-sacrificing loyalty, heroism, supreme effort, suffering and death, entailing upon family and friends an untold measure of sacrifice, suffering and sorrow.


Have not the good people of Springfield and Clark County patriotically performed their highest duty to establish, preserve. perpetuate and advance the cause of political and civil liberty in our whole country ?


Without the bloody sacrifices and heroic achievements of the


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Civil War, by which human slavery was overthrown and the rights of man were up-built, and the spirit of Christian love was more universally spread throughout the civilized nations of the earth, a war for humanity (Spanish War) would not have been possible.


SPANISH WAR, 1898.


On the call ( 1898) of President William McKinley for vol- unteers for the war to compel Spain to surrender her sovereignty over Cuba, because of her long-continued inhumanity to its inhab- itants (Spanish subjects), Springfield and Clark County contrib- uted their full share of soldiers and sailors, and many more of their young men were impatient because they were not accepted. Colonel Charles Anthony commanded the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish War.


Captain William H. Bradbury's company (Ohio National Guard ) became Company B, of the Third. and Captain Horace E. Smith's became Company E. of the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try ; Captain R. R. Rudd's became Company A, Ninth Battalion (colored) of Infantry, and a section of Company --- , Second United States Volunteer Engineers (Lieutenant Arthur Balen- tine) also went from this county. Large numbers of others went to the Spanish War from this county, as officers and soldiers of sailors in the army or navy, joining other organizations or the volunteer staff departments. Carl K. Mower became a Captain and Commissary of Subsistence and served with credit in Porto Rico and elsewhere ; later he became Captain in the Forty-First United States Volunteers and served with distinction in the Phil- ippine Islands, and he now holds an appointment in the United States Army.


Horace C. Keifer was appointed (June. 1898) by the Presi- dent a Captain in the Third United States Volunteer Engineers, and he performed, by assignment of the War Department. the duties of an aide (often other staff duties) on the staff of Major- General J. Warren Keifer, in Florida, Georgia and Cuba. for about one year. Many of the Spanish War soldiers, and others of the county, enlisted in volunteer organizations in 1800 for service in the Philippines, and they have there performed excellent and hard


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


service; some went into the regular army and others into the United States Navy.


In the above eleven years of war (excluding all Indian wars) of the nineteenth century, Clark County has valiantly borne her full part in bearing the flag of our country to victory on land and sea. No sacrifice has been too great for her citizens to willingly make. We may be justly proud and boastful of Clark County's war history, and we can feel sure that if exigencies arise which again bring war. that, inspired by high and worthy example, her sons will valorously do their duty in a just cause, in upholding our blood-baptized stars and stripes, long so sacredly emblematic of organized liberty to mankind.


With all the significant things accomplished at the cost of blood and treasure in the nineteenth century, future generations will not be contented to "mark time" over the grave of the past. but, inspired by the great deeds and discoveries and progress made manifest to them, will "quick step" forward and attain to yet other, higher, more useful and better things.


Would to God we could foretell the events and the progress of the twentieth century, and write with the pen of prophecy Springfield's history as it will be on her second centennial.


Thus, briefly and imperfectly, we have presented you Clark County's military history, believing it equal, all things considered, to that of any other county in this State or Nation.


[In the address delivered by General Keifer he has modestly refrained from speaking of himself, save in a brief foot note, vet he is the most conspicuous figure in the military history of our county, and should, therefore, have some notice in this, volume. At the outbreak of the war, in 1861. General Keifer was a lawyer in Springfield, having been admitted to the bar in 1858. He volunteered at the beginning of the war and was appointed Major of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the first year of the war he was in a number of battles in West Virginia. In Febru- ary, 1862. he was made Lieutenant-Colonel and was on active duty in Kentucky and other States. In September, 1862. he was appointed Colonel of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio. His regiment was transferred to Virginia, where he fought in many battles, suffer- ing severe wounds and many hardships in the service. He was


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brevetted a Brigadier-General in 1864, and in 1865 Major-General for "gallant and distinguished services." He served altogether four years and two months. After his return to Springfield he entered upon his profession. in which he was eminently success- ful. He became a member of the State Senate for two years ; was sent to the National House of Representatives for four terms, and during the third term served as Speaker. At the outbreak of the Spanish War he was appointed a Major-General. and faithfully discharged the duties assigned him. General Keifer is a conspic- uous figure in all that pertains to the welfare of our city .- Ed -- itor. ]


GOVERNOR GEORGE K. NASH.


GOVERNOR GEORGE K. NASH'S ADDRESS.


Governor Nash said in part : It gives me great pleasure to be- with you today, and to be able to congratulate you officially upon this centennial anniversary. I know that the people of Ohio are proud of Springfield and of Clark County. We have many beau- tiful and prosperous cities in Ohio, but when Ohio comes to ex- amine her municipal gems, she always finds that Springfield is one of the most beautiful of them all. In the name of the people · of Ohio I congratulate you upon this centennial celebration. I do not congratulate you, however, merely upon the fact that you are one hundred years old. If I should do that. it would seem as if you are getting old. But Springfield today has more energy, more wealth, more prosperity than she ever had before. I believe that


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


her next one hundrd years, with the advantages that she now has, will be much more pleasant to the people of Springfield than the years that have gone by.


It is upon the bright prospects of your future that I congratu- late you as well as upon your past. Individually it gives me great pleasure to be with you. I was very glad to hear the rule which General Keifer gave for the men whom Clark County claims. [ was glad to hear that rule, because under that rule I am entitled to- claim that I am a Clark County man.


In April, 1865, it was my good fortune to come to Springfield and here begin the study of law. Fortune did not ordain that I should stay with you very many months, but during that time I remember two days in which I had an opportunity to witness the patriotism of the people of Springfield and Clark County. I re- member well the 14th day of April, 1865. Lee and the armies of the rebellion had surrendered their power on the 9th of that month. Under the proclamation of the Governor of the State you were called upon to rejoice over the victory that had been won in that long war. This rejoicing occurred all over the State of Ohio. but I remember well the things which I witnessed in this city of Springfield. Your people assembled, 5,000. for the purpose of re- joicing. Upon every house, upon every shop, upon every available spot was displayed the flag of our country, waiving in such. tri- umph as she had never known before. From the bottom of your heart you rejoiced that victory came ; you rejoiced that your boys were coming home. When you went to bed that night you re- joiced that you still had for President of the United States the most glorious patriot, the greatest man, the most faithful citizen that this country ever had, in the person of Abraham Lincoln.


The next morning you were awakened to have the news con- veyed to you that the patriot President was dead. How changed was the scene. Upon every street corner, instead of rejoicing pa- triots, I saw your citizens in the depths of sorrow. Badges of mourning had taken the places of badges of rejoicing and victory. These two days, and the scenes which I witnessed upon those days, impressed upon me most vividly the patriotism of the people of Clark County.


I am rejoiced to be present with this patriotic people today, to


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rejoice with you in all that you achieved in the way of success during the last one hundred years.


And this is Soldiers' Day. I am glad that you have devoted one day to your soldiers. No man can tell what the soldiers have done for this country during her history. We all know what was accomplished by our Revolutionary soldiers. We all know what patriotism was exhibited in the War of 1812. We all know of the vast sacrifices which were made from 1861 to 1865. We know what those soldiers have done for us. We somewhat realize the debt of gratitude which we owe to them on account of what they did in the field during our wars. But what our soldiers have done during times of peace has been far more patriotic and far more beneficial than what they did in the camp and upon the battle-field.


Recall the old Revolutionary soldiers. When that war closed they were poor. They sought new homes. They came to Ohio and to all this country west of the Ohio River, and became the pioneers and founded the civilization in the great Northwest. They were good citizens. They were the best pioneers with which any country was ever blessed, and the prosperity of the great West is due to what those old Revolutionary soldiers did as pio- neers and as citizens.


Now, how has it been in late years? How has it been with the old veterans of the war of 1861 to 1865? They followed the ' example set by their fathers. They scattered, that war closed, through the great States west of the Mississippi River and east of the Pacific Coast. Among the pioneers who laid the foundations of those States. and who built up its civilization everywhere will be found the old soldiers of the Civil War. Go wherever you will. you find that those old soldiers have been our most faithful and our strongest citizens for the last thirty-five years. For this work during the days of peace I give them more credit than I do for their labor during the Civil War. Each task was a patriotic one. Each task has been performed by them in a patriotic way and with glory to our country.


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


5


COLONEL JAMES KILBOURNE.


COLONEL JAMES KILBOURNE'S ADDRESS.


I deem it a very good fortune which permits me to be present today, and I heartily thank the committee to whom I am indebted for the honor of an invitation.


Mingling together here are men of different political views. different religious views. Here we have men of all religious de- nominations, all political faiths, Republicans and Democrats, all gathered here together and all with the common purpose of honor- ing the memories of the fathers of this city. I say that such meet- ings as this are more far-reaching than was first thought of. A number of Ohio cities have already celebrated their centennial. This happens to be the first of this kind that I have attended, and it takes my thoughts back to the little village of Worthington, which was founded by my grandfather a little more than one hun- dred years ago. I can still see the little schoolhouse, the first that I ever attended. My friends. there is nothing that this generation can do better than to show honor to the memories of those who came out from their earlier homes and located here in what was


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then the wilderness. We must not go backward. We must not even be content with our present. They left their early homes and came out here to the wilderness and founded the great State of Ohio. We can not follow them in that. There are no more Ohios to be built. The day of the land pioneer in Ohio is practically -over, but pioneer work in the way of a better civilization can be done if we are true sons of our pioneer fathers.


In many ways our lives are better than our fathers' were. Our food is better, our clothing is better, our enjoyments are bet- ter, our children are wealthier, and life is more worth living now than then.


This is soldiers' day, and I wish to say a few words to my comrades, the old soldiers of the Civil War. Their numbers are growing rapidly smaller and the body of many is bent with the weight of years of service, but their hearts are as warm and love for their services as strong as when I took up arms for the preser- vation of the Union.


No one has a higher appreciation of their services than I. But when I think of old soldiers I naturally think of those who were with me. Comrades, our war is now past. Its great events have passed into history. A, new generation has come upon the stage. We risked our lives for our country.


Our country is united, and the slave market is a thing of the past. We can not change the nature of man. We must continue to fight so long as God gives us breath, for honor, justice and truth. This Government, united by the wisdom and valor of our fathers, shall be kept inviolate for all times a heritage of freedom.


General Keifer then called Governor Bushnell, who spoke as follows :


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


GOVERNOR ASA S. BUSHNELL.


GOVERNOR ASA S. BUSHNELL'S ADDRESS.


Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen :


I rejoice and congratulate you on this beautiful day and most auspicious occasion for the observance of "Soldiers' Day" at this. our Centennial Celebration-the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of this city.


The part that the citizens of this county have taken in all the wars in which the country has been engaged in the nineteenth century, is a splendid history-her people willingly and loyally responding to all calls for danger and duty, upholding liberty and the rights of men-as General Keifer has just said in his splendid address, for which we desire to thank and compliment him-he was very modest in the mention of his own service, but I want to say of him that he did as much, if not more, to bring distinction to this county as any of her soldiers, and there were many distin- guished officers and men among them. I am very happy to be here and take part with you in this day's exercises, not only be- cause we are celebrating a most important historical event-which it is eminently proper we should observe in honor and memory of the splendid old pioneers who first settled here-and as an educa- tion to the rising generation-but because we have with us distin- · guished citizens of another county; one of them, in fact, belongs to all the counties of the State, our Chief Executive, Governor


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Nash-the other a soldier of renown, Colonel Kilbourne, who would like to succeed Governor Nash in his high office ; and, per- mit me to say, our city is very highly honored today, probably more so than any city of the State will be for years to come, and the honor is not alone by reason of this magnificent audience of fair women and brave men, but from the fact we have with us the Governor, the ex-Governor and the next Governor. I con- gratulate you that we are thus favored, and I thank the Governor and Colonel Kilbourne for their presence, which has contributed so much to the interest and success of the occasion. I wish they could stay with us the remainder of the week ; we would endeavor to make it pleasant for them. Tomorrow ( Thursday ) is "Educa- tional Day," when all the colleges and schools of the city will take part in the exercises-papers will be read bearing on the present educational advantages of our city compared with those of the past, and many of the children of the public schools will be in at- tendance, making it in part a holiday for the children and a day- of instruction for all. Friday will be "Labor Day," in which not only all the members of the different labor organizations, but all the wage-earners of the city will take part. bringing their wives and children with them, and for none have we greater respect than for the working people of our community : they are the bone and sinew of our prosperity. Saturday will be "Woman's Day,"" and no celebration can be a success. without the countenance and co- operation of the women, and I take pleasure in saying the women have done much toward bringing this celebration to a successful issue, which is now assured, and are entitled to our sincere thanks -which are hereby tendered-for their support. To all these meetings, dear friends, you are invited. especially the "Woman's Day" meetings ; at those, papers on important subjects and of, rare interest will be read, and, fellow citizens. as many of you as can. we hope will attend each day.


I beg your pardon for having kept you so long. The hour of noon is at hand, and if I detain you further, I am sure you will say as one of General Keifer's soldiers did. He had been sick in the hospital for a number of weeks with fever; in the weakness of convalescence the surgeon found him crying, and. to comfort him, said: "My good man, you must not cry : you are getting bet-


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ter-you'll get well." "Oh!" said the soldier, "that's not what I am crying about ; I'm crying because I didn't eat more kraut at Camp Piqua." If I keep you longer, you may feel like crying because you did not eat more breakfast this morning, so I shall detain you but for a closing word.


The hours of this day have been altogether glorious, but the occasion will soon be passed. Neither we nor our children can; expect to behold its return. That time is in the distant regions of futurity, and it exists only in the all-creating power of God. Who shall stand here a hundred years hence to survey, as we have surveyed, the progress of their county-the lapse of a cen- tury? We would anticipate and partake the pleasure with which they will then recount the steps of their advancement. On the morning of that day, although it will not disturb us in our repose, the voice of acclamation and gratitude, commencing on the Rock of Plymouth, shall be transmitted through millions of the Sons of the Republic until it loses itself in the murmurs of the Pacific Seas.


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


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Masonic Home.


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


VII FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PRESS.


Thursday, the 8th, was devoted to the interests of fraternal organizations, fraternal homes, and the press. The paper con- cerning our fraternal organizations was not read, but will be found below.


Our city has three institutions sustained by the fraternal bodies of the State which have become a pride to all our people. They are the Masonic Home, Pythian Home, and Odd Fellows' Home, each occupying a commanding site. Their beautiful grounds, fine buildings, their excellent management, their kindly care for young and old, and the many bright and happy faces of the children who find a home in them, make them a joy to all who become acquainted with their object and their administration. During this day the children of these homes were present and gave a number of exhibitions in drill and calis- thenics which greatly delighted the large audiences that were in attendance.


Springfield has reason to feel proud of what she has done in the field of literature and the press. Books written by Springfield and Clark County authors, and published here, are numbered by the scores. Some of them are fof a high degree of excellence and are worthy of a careful reading. A collection of about fifty vol- umes was made by the Committee on the Press, and these volumes were placed on exhibition during centennial week.


In newspapers, Springfield has always had its full share. They have been devoted to politics, to agriculture, to temperance, and to religion, and have been great agencies in helping to fight the great civic and moral battles which are incident to the life and development of a growing and prosperous city. Their influence has not been confined to mere local bounds, but has gone out to the broader fields of human life and has been favorable to the best statesmanship, the best religious development, and to the highest type of everyday life. Our newspapers have, therefore, been use- ful, progressive, and helpful.


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Odd Fellows' Home,


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SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


P. M. CARTMELL.


DATA CONCERNING SECRET SOCIETIES.


BY MR. P. M. CARTMELL.


Insti- Member-


Name.


Number.


tuted.


ship.


American Mysteries


I


1849


34


Ancient Order Hibernians (five divi- sions )


1875


350


Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.


.


5I


1885


16I


Free and Accepted Masons-


Clark Lodge


IOI


1848


328


Anthony Lodge


455


1871


252


Springfield Chapter


48


1851


286


Springfield Council


17


1852


197


Palestine Commandery


33


1878


200


Masons (Colored)-


Champion Lodge


15


1865


75


Eureka Lodge


3


1895


65


Hiram Lodge


7


1897


40


Golden Star


I


1879


41


Mt. Olive Chapter


4


1871


40


Hiram Chapter


3


1809


40


St. James Council.


2


1896


25


Wilson Commandery


2


1874


24


Washington Temple


7


1899


14


Fraternal Mystic Circle.


3


1885


66


-


.


214


CENTENNIAL OF


Insti- Member- Number. tuted. ship.


Name.


Grand Army of the Republic-


Mitchell Post .


45


1881'


210


John Brown Post.


633


1887


3I


Woman's Relief Corps. .


315


1891


56


Improved Order Red Cross-


Olive Branch


5


1885 -


30


Independent Order Red Cross-


Elite Commandery


23


1897


56


Improved Order of Red Men-


Lagonda Tribe


61


1872


129


Ontario Tribe


96


I888


100


Pocahontas Council


25


1885


58


Euola Council


22


1892


49


Fried Commandery


8


I90I


36


Independent Order Foresters.


I435


1893


38


Independent Order Odd Fellows-


Springfield Lodge


33


1844


470


Ephraim Lodge


146


1850


280


Goethe Lodge


384


1867


183


Lone Star Lodge.


732


1884


165


Mad River Encampment.


I6


1865


105


Lagonda Encampment


280


1895


70


Springfield Encampment


264


1892


20


Canton Occidental


21


1891


42


Fidelia Lodge (Rebekah Degree)


12


1869


315.


Star of the East


339


1891


I20


Ivor Lodge


415


1895


125


Schiller Lodge


420


1895


95


Champion Binder. G. U. O. O. F


3027


1888


62


Solomon Temple. G. U. O. O. F.


1498


1872


100


Springfield Patriarchie, G.U.O.O.F.


24


1881


35


Household of Ruth.


I33


1879


5I


Household of Ruth.


628


1890


46


Good Samaritans


4


1865


IO5


Daughters of Jerusalem


I


1849


60


Junior Order U. A. M .-


Champion Council


2


1872


383


Buck Creek Council.


143


1891


100


Helping Hand Council


61


1900


180


Springfield Council


2.40


1892


339


Home City Council


27


1894


130


Violet Council


29


1894


97


Uniform Rank


3


1900


30


.


-


215


SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.


Insti- Member- ship.


Knights of Ancient Essenic.


22


tuted. 1896


75


Knights of the Golden Eagle-


Logan Castle


I


1887


I53


Lincoln Castle


9


1887


160


Champion Castle


26


1898


IO2


Springfield Commandery


2


1889


40


Logan Commandery


3


1889


75


Fidelity Temple


1 895


60


Honor Temple


24


1898


40


Valor Temple


25


1895


55


Knights of Fidelity


II


1900


96


Knights of Maccabees-


Springfield Tent


272


1894


89


Lagonda Tent


38I


1897


33


Ferncliff Hive


170


1896


IIO


Knights of Pythias-


Moncrieffe Lodge


33


1871


296


Red Star Lodge.


205


I886


300


Lessing Lodge


372


1889


96


Ingomar Lodge


610


1892


235


Knights of Pythias (Uniform Rank)-


Springfield Company


6


1878


62


Champion City Company


44


1884


73


Lessing Company


105


1800


25


Rathbone Sisters


II3


1897


77


Knights of Pythias (Colored)-


Diamond Lodge


30


1887


105


Mystery Lodge


45


1898


70


Star Division


4


1888


25


Court of C'alanthe.


5


1898


70


Court of Calanthe.


17


1898


55


Knights of Tabor ..


306


....


67


Daughters of Tabor


503


...


98


Kesher Shal Barzel ..


138


1875


15


Modern Woodmen-Commercial Camp. .


3347


1895


140


National Union --


Royal Council


81


1884


154


Crescent Council .


528.


1890


100


Patriotic Order Sons of America-


Washington Camp


I


1898


46


Protective Home Circle-


Iron Circle


258


1806


35


Springfield Circle


155


86


Wilhelm Circle


294


1897


51


1


1


Name.


Number.


216


CENTENNIAL OF


Insti- Member-


Name.


Number.


ship.


Royal Arcanum-Lagonda Council


15I


tuted. 1878


63


United Commercial Travelers-


Champion City Council.


23


1888


87


Sons of Veterans-


Z. Barney Phillips Camp


37


188.4


46


Sisters of Mysterious Ten.


23


1895


35


Tribe of Ben-Hur.


32


1898


210


Union Veterans' Union-


Stevens Command


16


1887


183


United Brothers Friendship.


IO


1895


105


Queen Esther's Court.


4


1882


62


Woman's Veteran Relief Union




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