~ PICTORIAL MARLBORO - Front Page ~
A view of the monument looking from the West ent of Main Street towards were now stands the Baptist Church
Below is a prtion of the writ-up which accompanied the illustrationTHE SOLDIERS MONUMENT
DECORORATION DAY - DEDICATION
We are happy to be able to adorn our first page with an admirable representation of the Soldiers Monument. It is located at the junction of Main and Mechainics Streets, on a beautiful triangular spot, surrounded by a thoroughfare. It is of exquisite design and finish, and appropriately commemorates, in its various aspects, the most important event of the present century, as well as the heroic and noble men who, at the sacrifice of their lives, wrought out the salvation of a nation, and the freedom of her peoples. The monument is alike worth, of the town which so honorable a part in those trying
and of the heroes, living and dead, who earned all the honors a grateful people can bestow. It’s height is 38 feet. On shield, projecting from the tablets on each of the four sides at the base are engraved the names of 91 dead heroes, as follows:Note: the names listed can be found here>>>>
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The project of building a monument was agitated during the year 1867, and at Town meeting held Jan. 4, 1868, committee, with Capt. Wm. S. Frost, the present Commander Of Post 13, as Chairman, Rufus Howe, C. F. Morse, David L. Brown, John Rock, John S. Fay and E. L. Bigelow was “chosen to procure plans and select a spot for a monument, to he erected to the memory of our deceased soldiers"
At a subsequent meeting the Committee reported a design and also suggested the spot where it now stands, and recommended "an appropriation, of $5,000 to defray the expenses of the same. “The report was accepted and the money appropriated without a dissenting vote." Shortly after a needed addition of $1,000 was “as freely voted as the first"
The grading of the ground and the erection of the fence, curbing and steps has probably cost $2,000 more.
The dedication occurred on Wednesday, June 8, 1869.
Decoration Day was established the year previous and that year May 29 fell on Saturday, and for this and other reasons the observance was postponed to Wednesday, June 2nd, when the exercises of "Decoration" and “Dedication" were combined, the first in the morning, the second in the afternoon, and were of the most impressive and imposing character.
The account published in the Marlboro Mirror of the following Saturday is thrillingly interesting, and will be increasingly so in coming years. That it any be preserved in this durable form, we reproduce portions of the program in our columns.
About 8 o'clock the people began, to gather near the headquarters of the Grand Army in great numbers. By 9 o’clock the different organizations and invited guests had arrived, and the procession was formed in the following order under the direction of Capt. C. F. Morse, the Chief Marshal of the day, with Capt. H. Parsons, E. P. Dart, John Connealy, and W. S. Goss as Assistant Marshals. E. C. Whitney and A. M. Page acting as Aids to the Chief Marshall. The line was composed of four divisions, in the following order:
FIRST DIVISION
Under the direction of Capt. Parsons, was made up as follows:Chief Marshal
Aids
Co. I 5th Mass. Regt., Vol’s, 40 men
Disabled Soldiers and Sailors and invited guest in carriages
Worcester Brass Band
Camp. Lincoln Post 43 G.A.R, 110 men
Hudson Brass Band
Reno Encampment Post 9, G.A.R., 40 menSECOND DIVISION
Under the direction of E. P. DartHall & Quinby’s Drum Corps.
Torrent Engine Company No. 1, 55 men
Brown’s Brigade Band
Okommakamesit Engine Company No. 2, 48 men
Union Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, 44 men
Feltonville Divion S. of T. of Hudson, 25 members
Wakefield Division S. of T. of Hudson, 25 membersTHIRD DIVISION
Under the direction of John ConnealyWestboro Brass Band
Father Matthew T. A. B. Society , 80 members
Marlboro Library and Literary Association 45 menFOURTH DIVISION
Under the direction of W. S. Goss
Gilmore’s Band
Eureka Lodge of K. O. S. C., 225 menThe ceremonies of Decoration were impressively performed. Rev. W. W. Colburn and Rev. W. A. Start officiating as chaplains.