Traveling Through Time With the Shelby County Historical Society
Feature Article on Memorial Day. TOPIC: EVENTS & CIVIL WAR
Compiled by Jim Sayre in May, 1999

FIRST FORMAL DECORATION DAY FOR SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO WAS 1874...Pg 5
1899, The Tradition Continues

Memorial ceremonies in Sidney 100 years ago continued the reverent honor paid to Shelby County fallen soldiers. References to the Civil War still predominated, but the fallen of another conflict, the Spanish-American War, received their due. And, there was another difference from the first ceremony in 1877: Decoration Day was now known as Memorial Day, as it had been since 1882.

From the Shelby County Democrat, June 2, 1899

Memorial Day was observed here Tuesday in the usual manner. Flags and bunting were displayed in profusion about the city. At 8 o’clock committees visited the old Presbyterian and Starrett graveyards and the Catholic cemetery and decorated the graves of soldiers buried there.

The procession formed on the Monumental corner at 9 o’clock and at 9:30 o’clock moved to Graceland cemetery, marching around the north side of the public square and south on Main avenue. The procession was formed in the following order: Dr. J. A. Throckmorton, chief marshal, Charles Goode, Ben Sharp and Walter Pfefferle, assistant marshals, the Reed band, Company L, Third Infantry, the Drum Corps, Neal Post, G.A.R., and old soldiers, little girls carrying flowers, the floral wagon, the Women’s Relief Corps in a tally–ho, the fire department and a great many citizens in carriages.

At the cemetery brief Memorial services were held and the graves of all old soldiers decorated with flowers. The procession returned on Ohio avenue and disbanded at the Monumental corner.

The annual Memorial oration was delivered at the armory in the afternoon by Rev. J. A. Patterson, pastor of the Presbyterian church. The armory was crowded and many persons were compelled to stand during the entire exercises. It had been decorated with flags and a stage erected on the west side of the hall. Klute’s band furnished music and played several patriotic selections. The meeting was called to order by Col. Eli Davis who acted as chairman. After a selection by the male quartette Rev. F. M. Myers offered prayer and Col. Davis read President Lincoln’s address delivered at Gettysburg November 10, 1863.

japatterson.gif (18838 bytes)Sidney Presbyterian pastor J.A. Patterson delivered the 1899 Memorial Day oration at the Armory.

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