You're a grand old flagpole --- 110 years later

Every day's an anniversary of some sort and, as it happens, in Chariton today it's the 110th anniversary of the day a flag was raised for the first time on the Grand Army of the Republic flagpole near the Civil War memorial at the southeast corner of the courthouse park --- Nov. 21, 1908 (that year, a Saturday).

There have been two major adjustments since that momentous day, however --- the pole originally was located west of the courthouse and it was taller --- a whopping 105 feet. Here's a preview of the big day as published in The Chariton Patriot of Nov. 19, 1908, under the headline, "G.A.R. Flag Staff."

"Iseminger Post G.A.R. after a patriotic effort, begun over a year ago, for the erection of a beautiful flag staff in Chariton that would be an honor to the city and fitly commemorate the services of those who responded to the call of patriotism in the troublous days of '61, had their hope realized, when on Tuesday, November 17, a splendid iron staff, one hundred and five feet high and surmounted by the initials of the Grand Army of the Republic, was placed on the west side of the public park. The committee in charge of the work were Post Commander H. Poucher, Comrades W.F. Hatcher and L.F. Maple; the contractors who successfully placed the staff in position were G.H. Poucher and Fred Stafford. The cost complete amounted to $330.

"Over a year since, Comrade Thomas Gay, then Post Commander of Iseminger Post G.A.R., but since deceased, urged forward the effort which has culminated in final success. Generous assistance came from the W.R.C. (Womens Relief Corps, the G.A.R. auxiliary), from Lucas county through the board of supervisors, and private citizens.

"The flag will be raised on Saturday, November 21, with appropriate ceremonies under charge of Iseminger Post G.A.R."

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Seven years later, during 1915, Iseminger Post commissioned Lucas County's Civil War memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and that monument was put into place in its current location at the southeast corner of the courthouse park during May of 1916.

Four years later, during late 1920, remaining G.A.R. members decided that their towering flagpole should be located there, too, and offered to pay half the cost of moving it. As a result, just before Christmas the mighty pole was sawn off at ground level a week before Christmas (it reportedly extended 10 feet into the ground). When that happened, an estimated barrel of water poured out.

When the pole was on the ground it was discovered that a faulty seam near the top had rusted through, allowing water in. As a result the top section was removed, the G.A.R. weather vane reattached, and the result was raised again --- near the Civil War memorial where it still stands.

I have no idea how tall the flagpole is now --- anyone who cares to shinny up it with a tape measure is welcome to do so. Or triangulation might be the safer alternative. When you find out, let me know.

In the meantime, give our grand old flagpole (and the flags, too) a birthday salute this morning as you pass by. Yes, I noticed that the flags were getting a little frayed, too. I'm sure the county supervisors will deal with this.