Memorial Day 1920 in Chariton was marked by a changing of the guard. Although the old Civil War soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic, now in their 70s and 80s or older, still were very much in charge along with their auxiliary, the Womens Relief Corps, the young men of Carl L. Caviness Post No 102, American Legion, participated in the day-long observance for the first time.
The Legionnaires --- organized and chartered the previous summer as World War I veterans returned home --- marched to the cemetery from the courthouse square that morning. The G.A.R. men and their ladies, not as hardy as they once had been, were driven.
At the cemetery, programming centered on a cenotaph, or representational grave that commemorated more than 150 of Lucas County's Civil War dead, a majority unidentified, who had been gathered for the most part from temporary burial sites and reinterred in national cemeteries across the South when that war was over. The cenotaph probably was located in the G.A.R. Section of the cemetery, near where a flourish of flags (above) was flying on Memorial Day 2011.
The remains of Lucas Countyans who had died in combat or of disease in France during 1918 had not yet begun to return home. The coffin containing the remains of Caviness, Lucas county's first combat fatality of the Great War after whom the Legion post was named, would not arrive in Chariton until a year later --- on June 3, 1921.
Memorial Day required endurance back in 1920. After lunch, the day's events resumed with a program at First Methodist Church followed by a visit to what now is Yocom Park where flowers in commemoration of those who had died at sea were strewn upon the waters of the pond that once filled most of it.
Here's a report of the day's events from The Herald-Patriot of June 3, 1920:
OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY PROPERLY
Chariton Pays Fitting Tribute to Its Soldier Dead with Flowers and Ritual
AMERICAN LEGION TAKES PART
Relief Corps, Boy Scouts and Many Citizens Join Grand Army in Remembering Departed Ones
Memorial day was observed in Chariton with impressive and most fitting ceremonies. For the first time the American Legion took an active part in the exercises, giving proof to the old soldiers of the Civil War that, though they may pass away, the day devoted to their memory shall not fail observance, but rather, with the passing years it shall have an added significance and be dedicated, not to them alone, but to all the brave of the reunited country they fought to serve.
The women of the Relief Corps, those earnest workers who have been the cheerful helpers of the G.A.R., were busy before the day and in the morning hours, under the leadership of their selfless president, Mrs. McGinnis, securing flowers and seeing to it that no soldier's grave was left unmarked. Headed by a martial band, the parade formed about the court house square, where the Grand Army flag hung at half mast.
Veterans of the Grand Army, nearly forty in number, although bent with years, fell in line as the drums resounded. They were followed by the ladies of the W.R.C. The boys of the American Legion came next, the uniforms of the soldiers and sailors bringing forcibly to mind the strenuous days of recent history. The Boy Scouts followed their elder brothers and lacked but the stature of looking as soldierly. These were followed by the Daughters of Veterans, the whole making a most credible appearance.
Ample provision had been made for transporting all from the city to the cemetery, but the Legionnaires and the Scouts preferred to show their respect for the dead by marching. Members of the G.A.R. and W.R.C. were taken in the autos provided and the marching column was followed by hundreds of automobiles filled with reverent citizens. Under the marshalship of L.S. Combs, the march and all the arrangements at the cemetery were carried through perfectly.
To the natural beauty of the cemetery had been added the fragrant loveliness of a myriad of flowers, and every grave where waved the Union flag was a mass of bloom. Arrived at the cenotaph, the column formed into a hollow square and the solemn and inspiring ritual of the Grand Army, which has become of itself historic, was read by members of the Post. It was rendered more impressive by the exceptional manner in which it was given, all the voices ringing loud and clear, in spite of the weight of years.
Following the ceremony, the Grand Army gave way to the Relief Corps and with fitting words the members of the Corps stewed flowers upon the symbolic grave of all. It was given to a select squad of Boy Scouts to fire the salute of honor and after an earnest benediction, pronounced by Rev. C.W. McClelland, the ceremonies were concluded. The music at the cemetery, the sounding of "Taps" by the bugler, the singing of the quartette and of the little girls, was all singularly appropriate and well rendered.
Afternoon Services
The Methodist church was well filled for the afternoon services, the various patriotic orders attending in a body. The church was beautifully decorated with flags and flowers. Words of invocation were spoken by Rev. E.A. McKim and the choir rendered an appropriate selection.
The address of welcome on the part of the Grand Army was eloquently given by Comrade D.W. Cowles. His talk was intensely patriotic and he dwelt upon the proven fighting prowess of America when its cause was right and told of Perry's memorable words, of some of the splendid achievements of the Union troops during the Civil War and how the traditions of America had been lived up to by the boys of the Lost Battalion, who fought on to victory after the Huns had reported them defeated. With warm words he welcomed the members of the American Legion as joint heirs of American glory.
These words of welcome were most fittingly acknowledged on the part of the Legion by Adjutant Charles L. Holland. He spoke of the principles of the Legion, particularly in regard to good citizenship and the maintaining of real, true blue Americanism in the face of the bolsehvik tide of unrest. He also stated with what sense of responsibility the Legion accepted the mission of keeping alive the memory of department members of the G.A.R. and the continued observance of Memorial Day.
The reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg speech by C.F. Wennerstrum was an impressive feature of the program as the reader was able to bring out the full meaning and intensity of the solemn words of the martyred president.
"The Drum of '61" was a patriotic and stirring recitation splendidly rendered by Frances Elliott.
The chief feature of the afternoon was the brilliant address delivered by Mr. Wm. Collinson.
This was voted by many as one of the strongest and most eloquent of the many Memorial addresses which have been delivered in this city. His tribute to the Grand Army veterans was filled with dignity and pathos and a deep spirit of patriotism, and the words which he spoke to the young soldiers of the republic were no less appropriate and inspiring. He took occasion to touch upon some of the problems of today and urged strict obedience to law, no matter whether the law met one's personal approval or not.
With the benediction, pronounced by Rev. McKim, and the congregational singing of "America" closed one of the most perfectly arranged and executed Memorial programs Chariton has known.
Rites for Sailor Dead
The last public ceremony of the day was the ritualistic remembrance of the sailor dead of the nation by the ladies of the W.R.C. They adjourned from the church to Electric Park, where with the solemn words of the ritual they cast blooms upon the waters in memory of the sailor dead, no matter in what seas their bodies lie.
The organizations which planned and carried through the many arrangements for the day in such excellent manner are to be sincerely congratulated and the impressive services could not fail to impress the lessons of higher patriotism upon the hearts of all.
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