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Grand
Army
of the
Republic
- Mt.
McGregor
Post
No.
252, Metz,
Missouri
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Mt. McGregor Post, No. 252, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at
Sprague, November 28, 1885, with thirty-one members. The Post was
moved to Metz in October, 1895. Meetings are held occasionally at
the homes of the members. The present members of the Post are
James Bradburn, John Stack, G. W. Charles, A. Cox, R. C. Elder, Thomas
Foreman, M. E. Frazier, Thomas Irvin, T. Bogan, J. W. Carlisle, W. F.
Gault, and Leroy Taylor. M. E. Frazier is commander and John
Stack, quartermaster and adjutant.
From the 1911 History of Vernon County.
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The
significance of the name "Mt. McGregor."
Please
help us identify each of these distinguished gentlemen of the
Metz / Sprague community.
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Several of the
men have a ribbon pinned to their jacket or vest, signifying
the Grand Army of the Republic. Photo courtesy of
Georgia Charles. Can you please help us identify them?
Perhaps they are the 12 men named above, from the 1911 history book. |
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Click on this
thumbnail for a large photo of the left half of the group. It may
take a couple of minutes to open. |
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This is the
right half of the group -- note the ribbons which they are wearing.
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Please email
any information about this group to
TriCountyGenealogy.
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Mt. McGregor Membership and burials in
G.A.R. section at Balltown Cemetery.
Below are transcriptions of articles from area newspapers regarding Mt.
McGregor G.A.R. and ceremonies at Balltown Cemetery. They are in date order. |
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Decoration Day at Balltown.
Decoration day was duly observed at Balltown. Rev. Wilson
delivered the address during the afternoon, after which the graves were
decorated at the cemetery. G. M. Wykoff also made a short speech,
in which he requested all able-bodied men to take hold and help clean up
the burial grounds. Upon leaving the stand he went to work and was
followed by many others in the work. G. M. Jones is the present
sexton, and the grounds are being improved under his management.
The ground are rolling and very pretty. Arrangements are being
made for the erection of a church at the cemetery.
The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada,
Missouri. June 5, 1893, page 1.
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SOLDIERS
GRAVES IN VERNON
They Will be Marked By
Monuments.
W. H. Taft went to Balltown Tuesday
to locate the graves of three federal soldiers. Two of these were
killed and one died of pneumonia while the troops were stationed at that
point.
One of them was Josiah Davis from
Wisconsin. He was killed while assisting in working a crossing on
the Marias des Cygnes river. The soldiers were preparing to haul
corn from Butler. While they were cutting down the river banks, a
party of bush whackers fired on them killing Davis and wounding four
others.
The fire was returned and one of
the assailants [was] killed and several wounded. The attacking
party is supposed to have been a part of Pony Hill's force. Davis
left a family in Wisconsin.
Robert Kelly was the other man
killed. He had been out in the country with a comrade, and was
returning to camp when he was fired on from a fence corner. The
ball entered the small of the back. The wounded man was held on
his horse by his companion until they reached camp, but he died from the
wound. He was an unmarried man.
The man who died from pneumonia
was also named Davis and was unmarried.
When the graves are designated by
Mr. Taft, the G. A. R. will erect neat monuments to each of the dead
soldiers.
The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada,
Missouri. August 23, 1893
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DECORATION AT BALL TOWN
Interesting Report of the Day’s Program
Correspondence of the Mail.
Ball Town, MO, May 30 – Dwellers in cities
are not the only people of this fair land who know how to do honor to
our country’s heroes by the observation of decoration day exercises.
Your reporter steered his course today towards Little Osage cemetery,
better known as Ball Town. It is a country cemetery near the old once
famous trading point of Ball Town, near the Osage river about ten miles
north of Nevada.
Before we came in view of the white sentinels which mark the resting
place of many loved dead, the sounds of martial music came waving
through the air, and high above other objects our eye saw our country’s
flag spread to the breezes, surrounded by a crown of ever green
foliage. Click here for entire 1894
Nevada Daily Mail article
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DECORATION
DAY AT LITTLE OSAGE.
Veterans Unite in
Honoring the Memory of the Soldier Dead.
Correspondence of the Southwest Mail.
Metz,
Mo., May 30. -- Decoration
Day was appropriately observed at the beautiful Little Osage cemetery
under the auspices of McGregor G.A.R. Post of Metz, Mo.
The beautiful sentiment of
an annual floral remembrance of our dead is fast growing on the
inhabitants for many miles surrounding this beautiful abode of their
departed relatives and friends. A visit here at this season of the
year does much to destroy the innate horror of sometime being taken
there by friends and left beneath its grassy mound. Here old time
friends and acquaintances have an annual meeting--all having come with
flowers and with a like purpose. Each succeeding 30th of May the
crows grow larger, and under the splendid management of Sexton G. M.
Jones, the grounds are beautiful.
To the present generation
never did the American flag so impress itself as today, when floated
over a united people, with common cause against a foreign foe.
To the young of today "Old
Glory" speaks a deeper patriotism than ever before.
In the decoration of today
as before, there was no North nor South, but honor to all who warred for
his conviction of right.
The memorial sermon was
preached at Rinehart chapel by Rev. J. C. Digggs, of the M. E. church
South.
Besides the Metz drum corps,
the Panama band rendered several splendid pieces, also many beautiful
pieces of vocal music were rendered, especially "Remember the Main," by
the Misses Depue of Sprague.
The Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada,
Missouri. May 31, 1898
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AT LITTLE OSAGE
Graves of Heroes of the Sixties Decorated With
Flowers.
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How sleep the brave, who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring with dewey fingers cold
Return to deck their hallowed mold,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wrapt their clay;
And freedom shall a while repair
To dwell a weeping hermit there.
-- William Collins. |
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On Tuesday the beautiful and appropriate ceremony of strewing flowers
upon the graves of departed comrades was observed by members of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
At the last meeting of Mt. McGregor Post committees were appointed to
visit the different cemeteries in this vicinity and see that the graves
of soldiers were decorated. The orders were carried out.
The most important event of the day in this vicinity occurred at Little
Osage or Balltown cemetery, that being the last resting place of the
greatest number of heroes of the sixties. In accordance with
arrangements a program of music and addresses was carried out. In
spite of threatening rain a crowd of between four and five hundred had
assembled. Click here for
complete 1905 Metz Times article.
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MEMORIAL ADDRESS
Rev. W. B. Warner Spoke to a Large Congregation Last
Sunday.
The G. A. R. memorial services at the M. E. church last Sunday was
largely attended. The address was delivered by Rev. W. B. Warner
of Brookfield and it was pronounced the most able sermon on such an
occasion ever listened to in Metz.
The members of the Grand Army, fourteen in number, attended in a body
and occupied seats near the front. They were: J. W. Carmichael,
Col. J. G. Hudson, J. W. Carlisle, E. B. Weyand, A. Cox, James Bradburn,
J. T. Armstrong, T. Bogan, H. Harrison, M. Shea, S. B. England, Thos.
Irwin, Elijah Stout and Henry Cox.
Rev. Warner's appearance did not indicate that he was possessed with
ability for the occasion, but his listeners soon learned that his looks
was deceiving and all gave careful attention to every word of his
address.
Among other things he said: "Man must be measured by his place and
condition. From Genesis to Revelation the words asks nothing of a
man but to be a man and fill a man's place. It is a glorious thing
to meet the responsibility of the hour. We are told that Moses's
grave was unmarked and no man knows of his sepulcher to this day.
It is not a question of where men die as how they lived and what they
lived for. No shaft of granite marks the spot where the great law
giver of Israel was buried. But he is not without his monument.
His own life's history was his great monument. As the number of
the braves of the sixties grow smaller their achievements grow brighter.
A man's life of self sacrifice is a man's greatest monument. The
measurement of every man's life is his deeds. The battles of the
war of the sixties is history. The fields were bravely and hotly
contested. There is on this day a battle of life. Do you
trust in the God of nations--He who is the arbiter of nations? If
you do you will be mustered out and go home. You can look back on
your war record and say I have done my duty, but in those forty years
since have you done your duty to God?"
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri. Friday, June 1, 1906, page
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IN MEMORY OF
DEAD
A Large Crowd Visited Balltown Cemetery Wednesday.
Between five and eight hundred people attended the Decoration day
exercises at Balltown cemetery Wednesday afternoon.
The exercises were conducted by the G. A. R. post and the graves of the
soldiers of the sixties were decorated with flowers and the national
colors.
The program rendered is as follows:
Song--The
Beautiful Story, by the Horton Sunday school.
Prayer, by
Dr. G. W. Petty of Nevada.
Song--Rock
of Ages, by Metz Christian Sunday school.
Address of
Welcome, by Rev. A. Cox of Metz.
Song, by
the Otterbern (Otterbein?) Sunday school.
Song, by
the Metz Christian Sunday school.
Address,
by Rev. U. S. G. Prowell of Rich Hill.
While Rev. Prowell was speaking a team of the W. of W. lodge of Rich
Hill arrived and proceeded to unveil a monument at the grave of a member
of that order. The crowd was attracted to the scene and Rev.
Prowell cut his address short.
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri. Friday, June 1, 1906, page
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IN MEMORY OF
DEAD
Rev. M. A. Wolfe Delivered the Memorial Address Last
Sunday.
Rev. M. A. Wolfe
delivered the G. A. R. memorial sermon at the M. E. church last Sunday
at 11 a.m. The church was filled to overflowing and the crowd
listened to an excellent sermon by the well known Baptist minister.
Rev. Wolfe said this was his first sermon on an occasion of this kind.
He took for his text the words of Paul: "I have fought a good
fight," and for almost an hour held the close attention of the
congregation.
Mt. McGregor Post, G. A. R.,
attended in a body and occupied seats near the front.
Special music was rendered
by the M. E. choir.
Decoration Day.
The rain yesterday
interfered with the program for the Decoration Day ceremonies at
Balltown cemetery. The attendance was small and the addresses and
songs had to be dispensed with. The weather did not hinder the
decoration part, however, for flowers were placed on the graves of
twenty-six departed heroes.
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri. Friday, May 31, 1907, page
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Mt. McGregor Post No. 252, G. A. R., installed new officers at its
meeting last Friday, as follows. John Stack, Com. [Commander]; J. M. Bradburn,
S. V. C. [Senior Vice Commander]; M. E. Frazier, J. V. C. [Junior Vice
Commander]; T. J. Irvin, M. D. [Medical Doctor]; J. W. Carlisle,
Chap. [Chaplain]; Col J. G. Hudson, Adjt. and Qm [Adjutant and
Quartermaster]; R. M. Hackworth, O. of D. [Officer of Day]; Thos.
Foreman, O. of G. [Officer of Guard]; R. C. Elder, S. M. [Sergeant
Major]; T. Bogan, Q. S. [Quartermaster Sergeant].
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri. Friday, January 31, 1908. |
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DECORATION DAY
Flowers for Graves of Veterans Buried at Balltown
Cemetery.
Following is the program of exercises to be given at Balltown cemetery
on Decoration Day, May 30, at 2 p.m.:
Song............Horton choir
Invocation.....Rev. Alex. Cox
Song............Choir
Address........Irl D. Hudson
Song............Choir
Recitation.....Pearl Stark
Song............Choir
Impromptu speeches
Song............Choir
Graves of Federals and Confederates decorated by
thirty-eight flower girls in charge of Mrs. Wiley Cox, the old soldiers
leading.
Friends will please bring flowers made into bouquets to the Methodist
church at Metz, and the flower girls will assemble there ready to start
for the cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Teams will be furnished for those
who have no conveyance.
The public is cordially invited to attend the memorial of the dead, and
it is expected to be observed in a fitting manner and not as a gala day
as it is in some localities.
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri. Friday, May 22, 1908, page
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DECORATE GRAVES
__________
Irl D. Hudson Delivered the Address at Balltown
Cemetery.
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The Decoration Day exercises conducted by Mt.
McGregor Post, G. A. R., at Balltown cemetery last Saturday drew a large
crowd. The program, given in these columns last week, was nicely
carried out and all felt that the day was fittingly observed.
Music was furnished by the Horton Sunday school
choir, and the songs were well rendered. The address was delivered by
Irl D. Hudson, son of W. E. Hudson and grandson of the well known
veteran, Col. John G. Hudson. Forty-one little girls, in charge of Mrs.
Wiley Cox and led by the members of Mt. McGregor Post, placed flowers on
the graves of departed soldiers.
The address by Irl D. Hudson was the feature of
the program and has won the young man many compliments. His words were
distinct and the large crowd could easily hear every word. Following is
the address in full:
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: As I come
before you I am reminded of a little incident I once heard about a newly
married couple. After they were married, the congratulations followed,
then the bridegroom’s kinsfolks called upon him for a speech. He
blushed, stepped forward and placed his hand on his lady love’s shoulder
and said: “This thing has been thrust upon me.” So it is with me, in a
way. This speech making has been thrust upon me. But I wish to ask you
why we have met here today? This is a question that naturally arises.
The causes are many if looking at it from a
general standpoint, but the most important cause is to bring into
existence and create in the young people a love for their country and be
patriotic. There is also another reason why we have gathered here today
and it is to pay respect to the dead soldiers—to the brave soldiers who
gave their lives for a noble cause; to the soldiers of the North and the
South; to one and all that took part in the Civil war.
Click here for the remainder of speech
The Metz Times, Metz, Missouri.
Friday, June 5, 1908, page 1.
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CITY OF THE DEAD
Decoration Day at Balltown Cemetery
The largest crowd that has been at Balltown cemetery in several years
was present Tuesday at the Decoration Day services. The program was
also the best given for several years.
The speakers were Rev. E. F. Wright and Hon. W. H. Hallett of Nevada and
their addresses were interesting from beginning to end. A quartet
composed of Metz people furnished the music.
The G. A. R. veterans marched through the cemetery while a number of
little girls placed flowers on the graves of soldiers who fought in the
great conflict of the sixties.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES HELD AT BAPTIST CHURCH
G. A. R. Memorial Day services at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon
drew a large crowd. The church was filled to overflowing. The program
was nicely carried out. The address by Rev. G. W. McClanahan was a good
one, well delivered.
Mt. McGregor Post, G. A. R., attended in a body. An even dozen of the
old veterans were present. Two or three were not permitted to attend on
account of poor health.
The
Metz Times,
Metz, Missouri. Friday, June 2, 1911, page1.
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Excerpt from the Metz Times, March 20, 1927 obituary of
James M. Bradburn: ...He was
a member of Mt. McGregor Post No. 252, G. A. R., his death leaving but
two members of that organization...
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Metz, Metz Township |
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